Union compatibility

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Dr.Jekyll

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Jun 5, 2018
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Pittsburgh, PA
I'm getting close to doing my plumbing upgrades, so I'm trying to get all the parts in hand.
Pic of current setup:
Image from iOS (10).jpg
Although I'd rather replace the old gate valves on my setup, they work fine and spending $150 to replace them with Jandy doesn't seem worth it at this point (even if it would mean I could upgrade the cross piece to 2".
Instead, I'd like to just connect to the union that's glued into the cross piece and then use 2" pipe to connect to my new pump and filter and SWG.
I'd also like to use 2" pipe everywhere else, so I also need unions for the Pentair heater, and whatever they used on the waste and return lines.

Are unions compatible with each other? I've looked for markings on the unions, but most don't have any. The PVC all says IPEX, but most of the unions don't have markings. Can I use any Sch40 PVC Unions?
Thanks!
 

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Most unions are not inter changeable. Get pentair ones online they are almost half the price and same thing. When one of thoa valves goes your gonna kick yourself for not replacing them. I would dig down in front of pump and spread those lines out in that trident setup they look way too close as they sit in pic
 
jimmythegreek said:
Most unions are not inter changeable. Get pentair ones online they are almost half the price and same thing. When one of thoa valves goes your gonna kick yourself for not replacing them. I would dig down in front of pump and spread those lines out in that trident setup they look way too close as they sit in pic
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"When one of thoa valves goes your gonna kick yourself for not replacing them. "
Yes, my original plan was to replace them. I did notice that there seem to be unions on those as well?

" I would dig down in front of pump and spread those lines out in that trident setup they look way too close as they sit in pic"
I agree they look really close. I'm not sure how feasible adjusting this is though. Digging them out is going to be a pain and I'm not sure how far down I'll have to dig, and even once I do, it isn't clear that I can just "spread them out". Won't that depend on how they were run?
 
no its simple look to see what size pipe you have its probably 1.5". If so you order the smaller size valves they accept 1.5 inside and 2" to the outside. that will be your transition point to go up to the 2" that you wanna do for your main manifold piping. diggin down is easy you only need to go a foot max. just cut the pipe on the two ends and throw a 22.5 degree then anothe to go straight up again or two 45degree fittings. the middle one just cut below where it will be seen and install a coupling to extend the pipe. then when you have 3 stubs sticking up pipe your pad plumbing and dry fit the inlet piping to see where your elbows will sit, then use a level to mark an even line across all three pipes and cut them. glue and assemble, its honestly not that hard dont overthink it too much. I would also not do a trident setup i prefer to put 2way valves on a run and then just take off on the end into the pump when you have more than 2 intakes. With the trident the water suction is much stronger in the middle line so if you go that route keep that in mind. take the oppurtunity to get rid of all that junk in there and do it once and forget about it for a long time. the unions on the filter are specific to the brand open them up and see what type they are, probably Oring fittings you can order them at INYOpools or pool site
 
jimmythegreek said:
no its simple look to see what size pipe you have its probably 1.5". If so you order the smaller size valves they accept 1.5 inside and 2" to the outside. that will be your transition point to go up to the 2" that you wanna do for your main manifold piping. diggin down is easy you only need to go a foot max. just cut the pipe on the two ends and throw a 22.5 degree then anothe to go straight up again or two 45degree fittings. the middle one just cut below where it will be seen and install a coupling to extend the pipe. then when you have 3 stubs sticking up pipe your pad plumbing and dry fit the inlet piping to see where your elbows will sit, then use a level to mark an even line across all three pipes and cut them. glue and assemble, its honestly not that hard dont overthink it too much. I would also not do a trident setup i prefer to put 2way valves on a run and then just take off on the end into the pump when you have more than 2 intakes. With the trident the water suction is much stronger in the middle line so if you go that route keep that in mind. take the oppurtunity to get rid of all that junk in there and do it once and forget about it for a long time. the unions on the filter are specific to the brand open them up and see what type they are, probably Oring fittings you can order them at INYOpools or pool site
Click to expand...

Thanks for the help!

"look to see what size pipe you have its probably 1.5""
Yes. 1.5"

"If so you order the smaller size valves they accept 1.5 inside and 2" to the outside."
Yup, got it.

" just cut the pipe on the two ends and throw a 22.5 degree then anothe to go straight up again or two 45degree fittings."
This was my concern. The Jandy valves are much wider than the gate valves that are there, so I have to move the verticals further apart. This seems like a pretty simple solution to that.

"I would also not do a trident setup i prefer to put 2way valves on a run and then just take off on the end into the pump when you have more than 2 intakes. With the trident the water suction is much stronger in the middle line so if you go that route keep that in mind."
The ironic thing is that the center feed is the main drain, which I tend to keep closed.

" the unions on the filter are specific to the brand open them up and see what type they are, probably Oring fittings you can order them at INYOpools or pool site"
I'm getting rid of that DE filter and switching to cartridge, so it should come with new unions. I will need to get unions for the Heater. I'll look those up on INYOpools.
 
It's all schedule 40 the pipe is the same. The fittings are not. Dwv fittings are everywhere and no good for pressure the hub that glues is short. Schd40 fittings are twice as deep and are rated for pressure. Some big box stores have a selection of them. Lowes carries quite a bit in most areas
 
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