Rock stuck in pool pipe

[NathanFergo]

I came home and found out that the pool basket had come out. I had a rock in there to weigh it down but it doesn't look like that helped. I went to check where it went and found out it's been sucked into the pipe. Luckily it hasn't gone completely down. It's at the very top. How should I go about getting it out? It's pretty jammed in there.

 

[mknauss]

Welcome to the forum!
Well that was unlucky! At least the rock is big enough it did not get sucked into the pipe.
What kind of rock is it? Would acid dissolve some of it?
I suggest you read ABC's of Pool Water Chemistry and consider reviewing the entire Pool School eBook

 

[Shirker]

Use some underwater epoxy to glue something to it and pull it out?

 

[JJ_Tex]

BBQ tongs, big pliers or some sort of clamp?

 

[NathanFergo]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I haven't any more time to fix this today but I'll be getting on to it tomorrow.

@Shirker I'll give the epoxy a try. Since I can get it for quite cheap and it seems like the easiest way to get it out without making it going even further down the drain. Is this the stuff (Selleys Knead It Aqua Multi-Purpose Epoxy Putty 50g - SELLEYS | Repco Australia)

@mknauss I have no idea what kind of rock it is and it seems like from research it would require a lot of acid and even then it would go further in to the pipe when it dissolves to a smaller size. So I'll save that for desperate times.

@JJ_Tex I've tried a whole bunch of tools but the space in-between the pipe and rock are too small to fit any of them around it and to get a good grip.

 

[Shirker]

Did you get the rock out?

 

[Joshii]

My suggestion: straighten our a coat hanger. Make a small hook with it. Slide the hook part into a void between rock and pipe. Twist hanger so hook is centered on rock. Pull up carefully

 

[johnpkaiser]

Automotive stores also sell gasket or seal picking tools. They look like screwdrivers but have angled tips. maybe these will help you get under the rock to pull it up. Be cautious of not pulling too hard as the tips could break off if too much pressure is applied. I also like the coat hanger idea.

 

[Pool_Medic]

Turn off the pump, the suction is holding it firm.

 

[wireform]

I would try a wet/dry vac. If it doesn't have an 1 1/4" hose end, go to homedepot and buy the 2 1/4" to 1 1/4" reducer and put that on the end of the hose with vacuum running. It will pull that sucker right up.

 

[mguzzy]

shop vac is my vote.. to suck from above.. or at the valves and blow it up too. If its wedged in there.. good luck figuring out how to wiggle the puppy out.

 

[ajw22]

Someone around here recently used a spare pool pump to blow into the skimmer line and blow out a bunch of debris in it. It only took a few seconds of pump blowing.