Please help me identify these pipes

[jknight]

Hi. I recently purchased a home with a pool and hot tub. I replaced most of the equipment as most if it was inoperable or dying. But there are 2 pipes that are open at the top, and I have no idea what they do. I am hoping one is a drain that I can use when backflushing the DE filter. One is right next to the ground drain. But maybe they do some thing else? Thanks for such a great site!

 

[ajw22]

Welcome to TFP.

Where are you located? Please put your location in your Profile.

Open pipes with a 90 or 180 degree bend are typically air vent pipes. Either for spa Venturi air or an anti-entrapment system that is found on Florida pools.

 

[jknight]

Thanks. I updated my location on my profile, but I am in Simi Valley, CA (not far from LA). I'll have to lookup what a Venturi spa is.

 

[ajw22]

Maybe @1poolman1 has seen that pipe construction.

 

[JamesW]

Show the Pool and Spa with all suction and return locations.

 

[JamesW]

Do the 90s pull off easily?

If yes, show looking into the pipes.

You can cut off the 90s to look into the pipes if necessary.

 

[ajw22]

I would not cut off the 90s just for exploration or a science experiment.

The 90s are there to prevent rain from getting into an open air pipe.

I doubt they are drain pipes you are looking for.

 

[JamesW]

You can put new 90s back on the pipes.

They do not need to be glued.

Trying to figure out what they are.

 

[ajw22]

They do not need to be glued.

I think they do. Otherwise they can get knocked off over time.

Trying to figure out what they are.

Get a fiber optic camera snake to put down the pipe or find a plumber with one. That may give you an idea where the pipe leads.

 

[JamesW]

If you push them down, they won't come off easily.

Even if they do come off, you can put them right back on.

If you are really worried about stuff getting into the pipe, you should use a 180 degree U fitting so that the end points down and then add a screen to keep animals and other stuff out.

 

[JamesW]

If we are really worried about the 90s popping off, the OP can set up a surveillance camera and then post a link and we can take turns watching to make sure the 90s do not pop off.

Here is a sign up sheet for people to take turns watching the video.

 

[1poolman1]

Hi. I recently purchased a home with a pool and hot tub. I replaced most of the equipment as most if it was inoperable or dying. But there are 2 pipes that are open at the top, and I have no idea what they do. I am hoping one is a drain that I can use when backflushing the DE filter. One is right next to the ground drain. But maybe they do some thing else? Thanks for such a great site!

View attachment 630610View attachment 630611

If that blower is for a floor bubbler in the spa, those open lines are likely the air intake for the spa jets. Seeing Ortega valves indicates the pool was built at a time that was a common way of constructing a spa.
Better (and cheaper) than cutting off a 90 is to get two 2" couplers, cut the pipe, run water into it and see where it goes, then just push the coupler and pipe back together. Or just have someone hold a garden hose with a rag stuffed around it in the 90, turn it on and watch to see what happens.

 

[ajw22]

If we are really worried about the 90s popping off, the OP can set up a surveillance camera and then post a link and we can take turns watching to make sure the 90s do not pop off.

Here is a sign up sheet for people to take turns watching the video.

View attachment 630646

Train your new buddy Claude to monitor the cameras.

 

[jknight]

If that blower is for a floor bubbler in the spa, those open lines are likely the air intake for the spa jets. Seeing Ortega valves indicates the pool was built at a time that was a common way of constructing a spa.
Better (and cheaper) than cutting off a 90 is to get two 2" couplers, cut the pipe, run water into it and see where it goes, then just push the coupler and pipe back together. Or just have someone hold a garden hose with a rag stuffed around it in the 90, turn it on and watch to see what happens.

Yes, the bubblers are in the floor of the hot tub. I will try the hose idea and turn it on and see where the water comes out

 

[jknight]

I used a leaf blower to blow into the pipes, as its nozzle was much closer in size. When I tried the pipes next to the pumps, some of the jets started spitting out some water. I didn't see anything happen with the pipe next to the drain. But its probably the same thing. Thanks for answering my curiosity!

 

[JamesW]

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