Texas Freeze Damage - Post #7,254

[aceniza]

When the rolling blackouts stopped rolling, my pool had been sitting for probably about 3 hours. I thawed and opened what I could with a blow torch. I haven’t had a chance to run the system yet since the bottom half of my filter housing is still frozen (I removed the upper half, I just now found the drain). Hoping the heater didn’t suffer any damage.

Long story short, my Hayward T-3 salt cell cracked. It’s only 2 years old. Can I glue/epoxy this thing back together with a good clamp?

also, looooong time ago I cracked a union nut. What’s the best way to replace this, there’s not much PVC to work with.

 

[ajw22]

You cannot glue and clamp a cracked cell. It needs to be replaced.

 

[Texas Splash]

Yikes! This was a rough one for you.

 

[aceniza]

You cannot glue and clamp a cracked cell. It needs to be replaced.

Thanks, that’s all I needed to know!

Yikes! This was a rough one for you.

A lot of my neighbors weren’t able to do anything. Cracked cells, filter housings, pump baskets, piping, etc.


anyone have a suggestion for replacing the union on the right?

 

[ajw22]

anyone have a suggestion for replacing the union on the right?

I can’t tell what size the unions and elbows are. They look like they may be 2” or 2.5”. You may be able to glue a 1.5” pipe on the inside and then build back out. You need to get a bunch of different PVC parts and then start cutting it back and see where you can rebuild from.

 

[mknauss]

Are the Aquarite unions proprietary like Pentair?

 

[ajw22]

Are the Aquarite unions proprietary like Pentair?

I believe so.

He may need to replace the flow switch which is to the right of the union.

Hayward Goldline 2" Cell Union | Tailpiece & Nut | GLX-CELL-UNION

Pool Supply Unlimited has some of the best prices when shopping for Hayward Goldline 2" Cell Union | Tailpiece & Nut | GLX-CELL-UNION

www.poolsupplyunlimited.com

Hayward Aqua Rite Flow Kit P-KIT

Aqua Rite Flow Kit P-KIT

www.poolzoom.com

 

[aceniza]

Looks like I can use a few different heat methods to pry the inner 2” pipe from the flow switch.
Got a new cell and union on order

primed the system and ran it.... OOF
MAJOR leaking from my heater. I’m gonna disassemble it and see what the damage is, it might be the entire heat exchanger (Hayward heatpro, unsure of model).

Check valve is also busted.

 

[wireform]

Hate to be the one but pretty sure the heat exchanger is toast.

 

[aceniza]

Hate to be the one but pretty sure the heat exchanger is toast.

I’m thinking it is. The way the water was spraying out was radially, so it’s not likely it’s one of the straight sections of pipe I could section out.

Is this a straight forward swap, or do I need to deal with refrigerant or whatever the heck is in the copper tubes?

 

[fields_g]

I still can't vouch for them since I haven't installed them yet, but people claim that these replacement split unions work. Might save a lot of pvc work, if nothing else has to be done.
Split Nut unions? Any reason not to order these for my T-Cell repair?

 

[aceniza]

Anyone know if the heat exchanger is A DIY job?

 

[ajw22]

Anyone know if the heat exchanger is A DIY job?

This is?

https://hayward-pool-assets.com/assets/documents/pools/pdf/parts-diagrams/HeatPro.pdf?fromCDN=true

Looks like you need to dig all the way into it for the heat exchanger and will need to capture the refrigerant and recharge it. working with refrigerant requires an EPA license.

 

[aceniza]

Heat pump or gas heater?

What model heater?

Electric, Hayward heat pro (square). Not sure of the model.

 

[ajw22]

Looks like you need to dig all the way into it for the heat exchanger and will need to capture the refrigerant and recharge it. working with refrigerant requires an EPA license.

 

[ajw22]

See...

Pool Supply Unlimited | Hayward HeatPro Heat Pump 120K BTU | HP31204T Parts

www.poolsupplyunlimited.com

 

[aceniza]

See...

Pool Supply Unlimited | Hayward HeatPro Heat Pump 120K BTU | HP31204T Parts

www.poolsupplyunlimited.com

Thanks. Looks like the physical work is easy, but the evacuation and recharge is what gets you.
Just checked my homeowners. It's covered.... But $4600 deductible. For that much it'd probably be cheaper to convert to propane

 

[circupool]

When the rolling blackouts stopped rolling, my pool had been sitting for probably about 3 hours. I thawed and opened what I could with a blow torch. I haven’t had a chance to run the system yet since the bottom half of my filter housing is still frozen (I removed the upper half, I just now found the drain). Hoping the heater didn’t suffer any damage.

Long story short, my Hayward T-3 salt cell cracked. It’s only 2 years old. Can I glue/epoxy this thing back together with a good clamp?

also, looooong time ago I cracked a union nut. What’s the best way to replace this, there’s not much PVC to work with.

I have had some luck repairing cracked salt cells using the UV Light type glue. There are several brands; all come with a little UV light that triggers the glue to harden very quickly. Best to use a dremmel to first grind a small shallow groove along the crack to ensure a good bond. If that does not work, ask around for special disaster discounts on cells. Discount Salt Pool is currently offering up to 35% discount on cells to folks impacted by last weeks deep freeze. They also carry "cell bypass pipes" and a "pipe extender" that allows one to cut close to a valve or whatever and re-plumb.

 

[Homebrewale]

also, looooong time ago I cracked a union nut. What’s the best way to replace this, there’s not much PVC to work with.

Here is a replacement for your cracked union.
Amazon.com: Magic Plastics Salt Cell 2" Split Union Replacement w/Screws - 2PK: Garden & Outdoor

 

[Micans Aqua]

I'd love to hear what anyone in Texas used that successfully survived this once-a-centaury ice age.