So my fiberglass pool showed up today. I’m self installing it as the builder was wasting my time. Anyway, they were told not to include any skimmers or plumbing, that I would handling that. Well, it showed up with a skimmer and returns installed. Pics for reference. Two questions, I was planning 2 skimmers and 4 returns. With the current skimmer location it doesn’t make sense now. Also, they didn’t use the included rubber gaskets with the returns. It looks like they just used silicone. My Hayward returns included gaskets for each side and backing fiber ring for tightening. Would you change out what they did to include the gaskets? Also, would add another return to make it four total and in what place would you add it?
Pool showed up today…..
- Thread starter addonbuilders
- Start date
- Jul 21, 2013
- 67,094
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
I would keep what the manufacturer installed.
I think 3 returns are as good as 4 for a pool that size.
www.troublefreepool.com
I think 3 returns are as good as 4 for a pool that size.
Fiberglass Pools - Further Reading
www.troublefreepool.com
You don’t see an issue then not using the supplied gaskets that came with the returns. He even gave an extra one in case I wanted 4 and it had the gaskets in it. Seems weird not to use them.I would keep what the manufacturer installed.
I think 3 returns are as good as 4 for a pool that size.
Fiberglass Pools - Further Reading
- Jul 21, 2013
- 67,094
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Looks like the manufacture did a good job of sealing them.
If you started over you would use the gaskets. But I don't think it is worthwhile tearing apart what the factory did to change it.
Let's see if @AQUA~HOLICS has thoughts.
If you started over you would use the gaskets. But I don't think it is worthwhile tearing apart what the factory did to change it.
Let's see if @AQUA~HOLICS has thoughts.
Last edited:
- Jun 22, 2014
- 52,220
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
My returns were slathered with silicone as well. I don't recall any gaskets being used.
Leave them like they are. IF they leak it is on them so.........
You say you are DIYing it. Who is doing the hole? Who will lift it up to put it in the hole?
We love to watch things like this so share lots of pics!
You say you are DIYing it. Who is doing the hole? Who will lift it up to put it in the hole?
We love to watch things like this so share lots of pics!
Unfortunately, "on them" means nothing at this point. They have been terrible to deal with. I doubt any issues I have would result in them fixing on their dime. I have a friend thats very capable on a machine digging it and setting it. Ive done enough research to know how it should be done. Im very confident in the install. As far as the returns, if "right" is with the gaskets then I want to redo it. Im adding a fourth return opposite of the single long side return anyway. I already bought everything so its just a matter of undoing what they did and doing it myself. I was going to use 3M marine 5200 for the sealant along along with the gaskets. I just want it done right before its backfilled. That leads to another question. I was originally planning on running two skimmers plumbed 1 1/2 rigid back to the pad with a 3 way going into the pump. Since im only doing one now, is it possible to use both 2 inch fittings on the single skimmer for more volume? I would still run the 3 way jandy. Like i said, im not worried about the work. I just want it done the best way possible given the situation Im in. Thanks
I worry about the undoing of what they did causing a problem with the shell due to the scarping and tugging that will needed to get it off. It is up to you what you end up doing. I just wanted to tell you of my concern. It does look like they sealed it up good and tight.
Skimmer pipes-what an interesting idea. I am going to make sure @ajw22 sees this to get his input.
Skimmer pipes-what an interesting idea. I am going to make sure @ajw22 sees this to get his input.
Don't use the gaskets. 3M 5200 is good, just takes a bit of time to set up but works better than silicone. A marine adhesive/sealant is better than silicone and removes the need for the gasket. The problem with the gaskets is that they will break down eventually, and cause a leak in your pool.
The fittings could be removed and re-sealed, did they come installed from the factory or from the dealer?
Depending on the pump and skimmer, you can go up to 2.5" pretty easily on the suction line. Most fiberglass skimmers are 2" threaded on the inside and 2.5" slip on the outside.
The fittings could be removed and re-sealed, did they come installed from the factory or from the dealer?
Depending on the pump and skimmer, you can go up to 2.5" pretty easily on the suction line. Most fiberglass skimmers are 2" threaded on the inside and 2.5" slip on the outside.
The three that came installed were done by the dealer. He also builds his own pools. I'll leave the ones pre installed alone and install another using no gaskets and 5200. If my skimmer has 2( 2 inch) ports, could I use both with home runs back to the equipment pad? I cant see how it would be a bad thing. If there is no real advantage than I'll stick with a single 2 inch home run and plug the other port.
Im going to talk here from experience with a reef tank, but this all looks kinda weird to me. All those fittings should be sealed from the wet side. There should never be a need to put silicone on the nut that is on the dry side. If water is getting through and that silicone is supposed to be there to stop it, it already has a leak. That is the reason for the gasket on the wet side. It seals all the water in the pool and the nut is what keeps pressure on the wet side seal.
Now the talk of the 5200 in leiu of a gasket, are we saying this should go on the wet side (pool) or dry side (nut), because it seems pointless to put it on the outside of the pool.
Now the talk of the 5200 in leiu of a gasket, are we saying this should go on the wet side (pool) or dry side (nut), because it seems pointless to put it on the outside of the pool.
I've never seen that done before, I don't know if there would be an advantage to that or not. I would check to see if you can do a single 2.5" run. What brand is the skimmer?
Goes on the back of the flange in between the flange and the gelcoat, so on the wet side. There's also usually some on the back side as well. With an adhesive/sealant I don't see any reason not to have it on the back as well just for some additional peace of mind. Depending on the type of fitting it can help hold the nut in place as well.
Dug the pool and set it Monday. The dig sheet supplied by the builder was off. Not surprising. Got most of the plumbing wrapped up today. Waiting on some soupy concrete to flow under the steps monday. Then auto cover company should be about 10 days out. The grade at my house falls about 18 inches from the foundation. That’s why it’s as far out as it is in the deep end. That will obviously be brought up with the rest of stone and backfill. Overall happy with what I’ve done so far. Ended up having to set pool 3 times before it close enough. In total all four corners ended up within a 1/2” which is better than the installer did on my friends pool. Plumbing has been trouble free so far. I’m fairly skilled and it’s not any harder than what I’ve tackled before. Ran 2 inch from the skimmer and 1 1/2 for the returns. Slide has a dedicated 1 1/4 line that will reduce to 1 inch at the slide. Equipment is a Sta-rite supermax pump, pentair clean and clear 320, pentair master temp 200 heater, and Hayward SWG. I’m going to plumb everything on a temp pad as it’s close to a future pool house and I want to be able to move everything when that goes up.
Attachments
Toe
Gold Supporter
- Apr 25, 2018
- 13
- Pool Size
- 11400
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Turbo Cell (T-CELL-5)
So impressive. Great job. Keep the pictures of your progress coming. You nailed the leveling. That would be the part that made me most anxious, but you nailed it.
Looks good. Nice work with the PVC as well, most people use spaflex which isn't really the right product. As for the support for the pipes, the only thing I would say is if you go to Lowe's or Home Depot, they have big 36" and 48" zipties in the venting/duct section that work really well, easier than chaining a bunch of the smaller ones together.
Curious what you mean the dig sheet was off, were the depth measurements incorrect?
Last thing I will say is that the skimmer location may give you some issues for the autocover install. Generally when an autocover is used the skimmer is on the side of the pool, not on the deep end. It's doable with the current skimmer location, just not the norm. Has the cover been ordered already? There's the potential that there won't be enough fabric since the box will have to be set back further from the pool.
Curious what you mean the dig sheet was off, were the depth measurements incorrect?
Last thing I will say is that the skimmer location may give you some issues for the autocover install. Generally when an autocover is used the skimmer is on the side of the pool, not on the deep end. It's doable with the current skimmer location, just not the norm. Has the cover been ordered already? There's the potential that there won't be enough fabric since the box will have to be set back further from the pool.
gingrbredman
Gold Supporter
- Jun 10, 2020
- 732
- Pool Size
- 11200
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Curious why the mix and match of different equipment?
That is a good point, and know you said the skimmer was not supposed to be installed before the pool was dropped. Curious how creative this is going to get with the auto cover.
The dig sheet specified 1 inch per foot of fall from shallow to deep. We over dug 5 inches and set screed rails with a laser. Double and triple checked out math. First time we set the pool it was 3 inches too high on the shallow end. This pool doesn’t have any flat sections per say. Only a continuous slope. As far as the auto cover, we were told it will be fine, but the step down section on the cover end will be larger. Really had no choice but to run with it.
Equipment availability was the main reason. I didn’t realize until after that sta-rite and pentair are the same. I had a sta rite on my last pool and I didn’t care for the sta-rite cartridge filter I had. I didn’t even know about the pentair intellichlor units until after I had bought everything. It also seems those are hard to get right now. I’ll use the Hayward until it gives me trouble and probably change it out.