Rubber stopper sucked into skimmer pipe

[berenberg]

Opening my pool for the season, I began to loosen the first skimmer plug when it was almost immediately sucked into the pipe. Probably should have unplugged the return lines first, but too late now. Anyway, I read other threads on options, like blowing out the pipe or using a borescope to try to locate the plug. I'm not sure either will work - even if I can get the plug to the end of the pipe, I think it's too large to get through the hole.

The pool has two skimmers, so is there much risk to leaving the plug in there? I'm guessing that skimmer won't draw as well. However, I've plugged one skimmer in the past to run a vacuum, and the pump ran fine.

 

[Newdude]

even if I can get the plug to the end of the pipe, I think it's too large to get through the hole.

It went in, so it has to be able to come out, but it needs to be rotated just so to fit.

When the same happened to me, my shop vac got it out with many attempts of rapid on/off with the vac hose. Eventually it vibrated it to the right position and out it popped.

 

[berenberg]

It went in, so it has to be able to come out, but it needs to be rotated just so to fit.

When the same happened to me, my shop vac got it out with many attempts of rapid on/off with the vac hose. Eventually it vibrated it to the right position and out it popped.

If I can get the plug near the opening, I’ll try to get it out. But it’s a snug fit even before tightening it, and I loosened it maybe a quarter-turn when it got sucked in. Plus, the line exits the skimmer horizontally, and it is between two vertical, so I’m not sure I can get a seal with a shop vac. I’ve got a Cyclone I use for blowing out the lines when closing. Maybe with everything else closed up I can get enough pressure with the Cyclone to push it out. Although now that I check the product pages, it looks like the Cyclone can also be used for suction.

 

[Newdude]

But it’s a snug fit even before tightening it, and I loosened it maybe a quarter-turn when it got sucked in

Again. I watched my own do the same before I could even register what happened.

But it went in and didnt expand, so if you jiggle it just right, it will come out. (Easier said than done)