What to do with an unused pressure cleaner pipe?

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Charlie Bezzina

Charlie Bezzina

Well-known member
Jul 10, 2021
176
Sydney Australia
Pool Size
38000
Surface
Plaster
Chlorine
Salt Water Generator
SWG Type
Hayward Aqua Rite (T-9)
Hello,

I have an unused pressure cleaner pipe in my pool, and it just occurred to me that this is a potential algae bomb just waiting to happen.

Currently the pool end of the pipe is open and the equipment end is capped.

What should I do with this pipe to ensure it doesn't become an algae safe haven?

Thanks for having a look and I look forward to hearing some creative uses for this pipe.

C.b.
 
Some have capped both sides. I personally would connect the 2 pieces of pipe (that connected to the inlet and outlet of the booster pump) and just let water circulate through it. It was doing before even with the booster pump in place and no reason not to just let it continue to circulate with chlorinated water. It should be an easy connection to make on the equipment pad.
 
Hi Casey and Herman.

Casey, I'm worried that hooking the pipe as a return would interfere with the skimmer because it is located about 8 inches directly below the skimmer.

Herman, the pipe has never been connected to a booster pump. It's a new pool, and at the time of design I was thinking of getting a pressure cleaner with a big bag, but then midway into construction I changed my mind and purchased a robot. The plumber just capped the equipment end and that was that.

If I were to cap it in the pool, could that be done temporarily in case I want to use it later on?
 
I have a waterfall with separate pump, but the filter and waterfall pumps both connect to the single pipe from the skimmer. If I turn both on at the same time they do interfere with each other (not really an issue atm because the filter turns on only at night).
Would it be safe connecting the waterfall pump to draw from the pressure cleaner pipe?
 
I plumbed mine into my return; had to go back later and add a Hayward ball valve as the flow was stronger than the other returns. I just have it so it’s flowing, but not strongly.
It was super easy; a T fitting, a ball valve, a little pipe and a 90°.
 
Charles Bezzina said:
Would it be safe connecting the waterfall pump to draw from the pressure cleaner pipe?
Click to expand...
If you can do that to comply with the laws governing pool suctions. There are special compliance drains (suction pipes) to prevent entrapment. Refer to the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act. This act stated that any public swimming pools have dome-shaped covers over their swimming pool main drains so that the possibility of entrapment is reduced.
 

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Hi Herman.

I think the plumber just abandoned it when I told him to plug it because I won't be using it for a power cleaner. You are correct, it is simply cut flush with the wall.

I have found some of these safety suction covers online. They apparently comply with some standard, but I would need to confirm that standard is accepted locally before I buy one.
 
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Actually, I could leave the fountain connected to the skimmer and use a tee fitting to allow it to draw from the pressure cleaner pipe simultaneously. Does that sound silly? I don't want to make a spaghetti mess of my plumbing.
 
Hi Reggie.

I have two separate variable speed pumps, the intention was to make the waterfall and spa jets independent of the filter. It works well, except for the interaction when both are running.
 
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