Vacuum lock for 1.5 inch pipes with no pipe extension into pool and no threads

[Snowmanlady]

Hi,
I'm a new pool owner so I may use incorrect terminology, so I apologize in advance. We have about a 33,000 gallon inground pool in San Diego. We bought the home last year so have no info on who built it etc. There is a dedicated suction line for the pool bottom vacuum, but it is not a standard size. This line does not extend into the pool so there's no way to attach something outside the pipe. It has no threads internal or external. The outside pipe measurement is about 1.5 inches and the inside pipe measurement is about 1.25 inches. I'm unsure if it's exact because when I place a 3/4 pvc reducer in the hole there is wiggle room...not a tight fit at all. Is there a vac lock that fits this? Can I adapt this to hold a vac lock? Can I adapt it so the vacuum hose will connect and stay put even if I can't get a vac lock on it? My husband swears there was something on the wall when we moved in and it disappeared. I never saw it, so I have no idea what he saw. I have obvious safety concerns about this being uncovered plus I would like to have the bottom of the pool being cleaned again. Feel free to ask me any questions...my pool company is supposed to be looking into this but it's been months without resolution.

 

[HermanTX]

Welcome to TFP.
Pictures of your equipment pad - especially the pipes in front of the main pump would help understand your set up.
Also a picture of your pool and pointing out where this suction line is positioned.
Right now, you are stating this pipe is just open to the pool with no cover on it. Also, can you feel the suction when the valve is open on the equipment pad? Do you have a hose and cleaner that would be used with this suction port? If so, what type of cleaner is it? Need make and model.

An alternative to any pump activated cleaner (they are called pressure side cleaners or suction side cleaners) is the use of a robot. These are electric and you need to connect them to an 120v GFCI outlet. They usually have 50-60 ft of electrical cable to allow it to cover your pool. Many members on the site use robots with good results. They can be expensive.

 

[Bperry]

Hi,
I'm a new pool owner so I may use incorrect terminology, so I apologize in advance. We have about a 33,000 gallon inground pool in San Diego. We bought the home last year so have no info on who built it etc. There is a dedicated suction line for the pool bottom vacuum, but it is not a standard size. This line does not extend into the pool so there's no way to attach something outside the pipe. It has no threads internal or external. The outside pipe measurement is about 1.5 inches and the inside pipe measurement is about 1.25 inches. I'm unsure if it's exact because when I place a 3/4 pvc reducer in the hole there is wiggle room...not a tight fit at all. Is there a vac lock that fits this? Can I adapt this to hold a vac lock? Can I adapt it so the vacuum hose will connect and stay put even if I can't get a vac lock on it? My husband swears there was something on the wall when we moved in and it disappeared. I never saw it, so I have no idea what he saw. I have obvious safety concerns about this being uncovered plus I would like to have the bottom of the pool being cleaned again. Feel free to ask me any questions...my pool company is supposed to be looking into this but it's been months without resolution.

The only thing I can think of that would use an unthreaded fitting is the manual hand vacuum. Any chance that’s what fits in there? It would just be a press fitting.

But a more specific question would be… are you sure it’s a vacuum line and not something else?

 

[ajw22]

Welcome to TFP.

Best thing to do is cap off the vacuum line in the pool and get a Maytronics robot pool cleaner.

You will be safer and your pool will be cleaner with less effort.

 

[1poolman1]

If you are sure that is a vacuum port and don't want to go the robotic route (robotic is safer, though), Polaris makes this adapter. It will protrude into the pool about 2.5". It will then have a standard 1.5" threaded opening to accept the VacLok. It will restrict the pipe size, so be sure that you have a leaf trap in the line if you decide to go with this.

Polaris Expansion Connecter, Zodiac Polaris, 1-1/2" | 9-100-8011

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[ajw22]

If you are sure that is a vacuum port and don't want to go the robotic route (robotic is safer, though), Polaris makes this adapter. It will protrude into the pool about 2.5". It will then have a standard 1.5" threaded opening to accept the VacLok. It will restrict the pipe size, so be sure that you have a leaf trap in the line if you decide to go with this.

Polaris Expansion Connecter, Zodiac Polaris, 1-1/2" | 9-100-8011

Buy Polaris Expansion Connecter, Zodiac Polaris, 1-1/2" | 9-100-8011 for sale here at Wild West. Get yours today! Save on tons of great pool supplies & receive top-notch service.

www.wildwestpoolsupplies.com

Does that connector have a cap to prevent entrapment when nothing is connected to it?

 

[1poolman1]

Does that connector have a cap to prevent entrapment when nothing is connected to it?

Please re-read response. Thanks.

 

[ajw22]

Please re-read response. Thanks.

It will then have a standard 1.5" threaded opening to accept the VacLok.

Ok, to be safe you need the Polaris adapter and them put on the Vacuum Lock Safety Wall Fitting. Got it now.