So I had bought a new 2 speed pump to replace my single speed 1HP Pump and needed a pool union adapter. Similar to the one below (screwed into the left side of Pic#2). Anyway when I went to screw it into the connection piece to my filter I hand turned it a few times to just see if it fits and now its completely stuck. The good news is it fits the filter and pump connection but there's no teflon tape or pipe dope on it. Will this leak? Should I take channel locks and try to undue it? Or do you not need teflon tape for plastic on plastic? Just looking for some thoughts. I can't test it out yet probably until mid april due to living in the northeast. I did this in my basement.
Pool union adapter stuck without teflon
- Thread starter richierich
- Start date
Bill1974
Well-known member
- Jun 18, 2014
- 669
- Pool Size
- 32000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
I generally use whatever union the local HD or Lowes has. I do try to keep them all the same size and brand. I also measure up the o-ring and order a bag of replacements. Replace all the o-rings when the pool is opened in the spring and replace the o-rings if needed to during the season because of servicing anything. Keep the sealing surfaces and o-rings clean and free of nicks and they work great. Use a strap wrench to tighten and loosen the unions, much easier than trying to bare hand them.
Thanks for the reply, but do you think it needs teflon tape and/or pipe dope the plastic to plastic ?
- Jun 22, 2014
- 52,045
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Quite a few debates on this one actually. You'll find some manufactures and experts who are firm about Plastco-Joint stick products on the threads, while others have used Teflon tape (with or without Teflon paste) for years. Your call really. You'll need one or the other since you are using a standard threaded PVC adapter versus a pool-specific adapter with an O-ring. See the link below for more info.
PVC Repair - Further Reading
www.troublefreepool.com
I learned the hard way to never tighten with a strap wrench. I tighten one too much one time and split the union nut in two.
You’ll likely need some kind of thread sealant on the pipe connection but don’t use any on the union joint threads with the o-ring
Ok thanks, I'll give it a go. Yeah I wouldn't use a strap wrench to tighten, maybe just to loosen
Almost assuredly. +1 what bperry said.
If your parts are still stuck, a rubber mallet will normally work to get them apart.
I'm sorry, can you clarify what you mean? I'm not very handy. Do you mean just put it on the threads of the white union adapter piece?
The big white plastic ring shaped part that has internal threads is the union. Its job is to clamp the two halves of the joint together and uses a rubber oring to do the sealing. Don’t put anything on those internal threads.
On the part in that pictures with external threads (the threads you can see in the picture, those get Teflon tape or some other PVC safe sealant. Be careful as not all of it is PVC safe.
All the professional plumbers I work with use it and do not use Teflon tape for those types of connections.