Pump install - couldn’t get inlet lined up

[timslatt]

I cut and lowered the 3 feeds from the pool, but apparently my measurement was off. The feed to the pump is about a half inch too high to line up with the pump inlet.
I don’t seem to have enough room to cut it down another half inch because there’s no pipe left to cut, I don’t want to have to cut below the couplings I just attached on the 3 inlets and have to install new valves. Is mounting the pump on plywood even an option if I bolt the plywood to the slab, is there another option, or am I screwed and have to call someone to fix my botch job?

 

[cowboycasey]

1/2 inch anything would work I would think... I wish there was a 1/2 inch paver but I think the smallest is 1 inch... see if you can find a 1/2 inch plastic cutting board, that would work perfect and never die like plywood.. You could even cut it out the size of the pump and make it look professional like

 

[MSchutzer]

Maybe try some 1/2“ cement board that is normally used for wet areas in showers.

 

[JamesW]

A hard rubber sheet of the correct thickness should be a good fix.

There should be a rubber supply place somewhere local.

Alternatively, you could get some wood strips that are the correct height and create a box form that you can fill with concrete mix.

Allow the concrete to cure overnight and then remove the wood forms.

Make sure that the pipe lines up with the inside of the coupling.

 

[JamesW]

If you do the box form and concrete method, use fiber reinforced extra strength concrete to prevent cracking.

You can add some hydraulic cement to speed the cure time and add extra strength but you have to be really experienced or the mix will set too fast.

Add water in a bucket and then add the hydraulic cement to the water and then mix it well before adding the regular cement mix.

Or mix the dry hydraulic cement with the dry regular cement mix and then add water but be quick about pouring and leveling.

Just use regular cement mix if you're not sure about adding hydraulic cement.

It looks like you have to go up 1/2" + the thickness of the coupling wall.

So that should be about 5/8" to 11/16".

Get the wood strips and put them under the pump to verify that the height will be exactly right before making the box form.

Give yourself room to move the pump forward or backward and side to side when you form up the concrete box.

 

[JamesW]

Sand the grey paint off of the pvc pipe before gluing the fitting on.

 

[tgrinchy]

Although not ideal, you could also attach two 45s to the suction side to adjust height and slide pump over slightly.

 

[JamesW]

Two 45s might work ok, but I was thinking that it would push the pump too close to the wall.

The fan in the back needs a gap for fresh air.

As long as there is about 2" of clearance, two 45s might work.

 

[needsajet]

Much better that it's high than low

I vote for the 1/2" rubber sheet. Looks pro and all part of The Plan

 

[timslatt]

Went with the 45 method. Had about 6” to the wall after the fact. She’s running like a charm with no hiccups (although because there’s an unwritten rule that I have to get injured somehow when working on a DIY project, I got a paper cut off the instructions while I was programming it).
Also, please go easy on my primer/glue job, it was my first time working with PVC!

 

[JamesW]

Good job.

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[cowboycasey]

I like it, worked out perfect... Mine looks way worse when I am done... Grab some Plasti dip and make it look PROfessional.. Mine has been on 7 years and still looks the same

Amazon.com : Plasti Dip

 

[Turbo1Ton]

Good job! A little gray spray paint and nobody will ever know you used colored primer.

--Jeff