Plumbing on Sand Filter

[Nickpooch]

Hi guys,

Bought this house 5 years ago with this plumbing already hooked up to the filter. It looks like it was glued in as I don’t see a union. Or will I be able to get it loose with pipe wrench?! I want to avoid cutting the pipe as I’m not that handy. All pool maintenance companies around me are booked out a while.

Thanks

 

[Texas Splash]

Unfortunately the people who installed that before did you no favors. It will need to be cut to unscrew that adapter from the pump. Not the worst DIY thing to do. We can certainly help guide you if you need some help.

 

[1poolman1]

The black fitting is threaded in properly. The white is very much too far.

 

[Nickpooch]

Unfortunately the people who installed that before did you no favors. It will need to be cut to unscrew that adapter from the pump. Not the worst DIY thing to do. We can certainly help guide you if you need some help.

Yeah, that would be very helpful. The black I can get off. I’ll need help with where to cut the white and what to buy to put it back into place

 

[Texas Splash]

Can you post another pic or two of that white PVC line leading up to the pump so we can see what's before the valve?

 

[Nickpooch]

Can you post another pic or two of that white PVC line leading up to the pump so we can see what's before the valve?

Yea no problem, just give me like 30 mins.

 

[Nickpooch]

Additional pics

 

[Nickpooch]

Well this may sound crazy but after taking those pics and looking at them. Do I even need to replace the white pipe it looks like it just runs to my heater which doesn’t work anyway..

 

[Texas Splash]

The heater may not work, but water still goes through it. So if you wish to remove that adapter from the filter MPV, you will need to cut it eventually. UNLESS - if your only goal is simply to remove the multiport valve on top of the filter, you might have enough movement (slack) in that PVC line to be able to lift the MPV up & off the filter without cutting it. But if you need to remove that adapter for some other reason, you will need to cut it. Fortunately you have plenty of PVC room to cut and re-attached PVC pipe with a union.

 

[Nickpooch]

Oh see you think there’s a chance I might be able to just take of the filter collar under the mpv to gain enough access to change the sand? Without messing with the piping ?

 

[1poolman1]

The flex pipe "might" allow you to move the valve enough for access to the tank. The rigid would have to be cut. You could take it loose from the heater, but it would probably leak when trying to reinstall.

 

[Nickpooch]

Where would I cut it at ? Then what piece do I buy to put it back together

 

[MITBeta]

I would cut both pipes out. Redo the outlet pipe to run to the return, bypassing the heater and chlorinator. The hard pipe from the pump to the inlet.

Use pool unions before and after the filter.

 

[Nickpooch]

Can you post another pic or two of that white PVC line leading up to the pump so we can see what's before the valve?

Hi, where would I cut the hard pvc coming out of the filter to open it up? I’m confused as to how I would get that piece out after I cut it as well. Heat? Sorry I need help on this

 

[Texas Splash]

where would I cut the hard pvc coming out of the filter to open it up?

You have choices. If you cut the pipe near the top of the vertical section before it gets to the elbow, then you can (or should be able to) unscrew the short piece of PVC pipe going into the filter and that adapter. Once you have that piece unscrewed, you can look at the vertical pipe and decide where you would like to install a union (pic below) so that in the future you won't have to cut again. As an initial example to get you started, imagine a union fitting (Like below) inserted somewhere along that the vertical pipe with enough PVC coming out of the top to connect a 90 degree elbow that will go back to the MPV. You would also clean-up the MPV's female threads and screw-in a new adapter with some Teflon tape or plumber's dope on the threads. Only snug, do not over-tighten. Finally, with the adapter screwed into the MPV, you glue the short horizontal pipe into it. I'll see if I can find a close example to show you.

 

[Texas Splash]

Here is one very popular example. Instead of the union being on the vertical section as I noted above, it's on the horizontal piece going into the filter. That's idea if you have enough room or flexibility for the vertical pipe to extend out from the filter. But either way will work. Just have a union, an adapter, a 90 degree elbow, and maybe a coupler along with PVC glue and you can do it. Have some extra PVC pipe in case you change your mind on the set-up or cut a piece at the wrong measurement. Dry fit everything before you glue to ensure you like the route chose. But you can do it.

 

[Nickpooch]

Thanks a lot! Very imformative

 

[Nickpooch]

If I go the first route, how close do I cut on the vertical piping to that elbow? Will I have to redo that vertical pvc after cutting it or if I cut it close enough to elbow it will still connect securely to the new elbow ?

 

[MITBeta]

I would cut far enough below the elbow so that you can fit a slip coupling to reconnect below the elbow.

 

[Tsudduth]

This is my replumbing job on my AG pool. I used unions in strategic locations so dis-assembly would be easy when I take everything apart for winter storage. I have had this set up for 3 seasons now. Take-down and set up are so much easier. Everything is trheaded and teflon taped for easy replacement of components if needed.