I have a perimeter overflow pool (aka euro edge, infinity, etc). The water drains over the edge on all 4 sides into a gutter. The water then drains from the gutter via gravity to a collecting tank on the side of the house and then is pumped back to the pool from the tank. They are building a house next door to me and I keep finding the pool covered in sand. As a result there is now a lot of sand stuck in the drain lines. Does anyone know of a way to clean out the lines? They are getting clogged and not draining as quickly as they should. Is there a service that anyone is aware of that can clean them out? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
How to clean sand out of Drain Lines
- Thread starter goldmaes
- Start date
I take it that the clogged pipes are the gravity drains that lead from the gutter to the tank?
When the pump is off, are these drains dry?
The only things I can think of, without seeing a better picture or diagram, is to either shopvac the lines out from the gutter side, or to possibly blast the sand into the tank with a high volume hose. I presume that the tank has a cleanout if the sand ends up there?
When the pump is off, are these drains dry?
The only things I can think of, without seeing a better picture or diagram, is to either shopvac the lines out from the gutter side, or to possibly blast the sand into the tank with a high volume hose. I presume that the tank has a cleanout if the sand ends up there?
You are correct the clogged pipes are the gravity drains. When the pump is off the lines still have water. The tank rises to the level of the autofill and it keeps a small amount of water sitting in the gutter. That takes away the possibility of a shopvac. I wasn't sure if a pressure washer would damage pvc piping or I could try that. Do you have any clue? When the sand gets into the collecting tank I can vacuum it out, but I need to get it out of the gravity lines 1st.
Well, I suggested a hose with a lot of volume not pressure. I don't know if a pressure washer would have the volume to move the sand down the line, they usually only move about 2 gpm.
Have you tried taking off the drain cover and quickly pouring a 5 gallon bucket into the drain? You can probably make an easy funnel out of 4" to 3" to 2" PVC reducers. The trick would be to get all the water into the pipe as quickly as possible, without spilling.
Have you tried taking off the drain cover and quickly pouring a 5 gallon bucket into the drain? You can probably make an easy funnel out of 4" to 3" to 2" PVC reducers. The trick would be to get all the water into the pipe as quickly as possible, without spilling.
I cannot as there is still water in the line as well as the gutter. I'll have to figure out how to get the volume through the pvc.
Can you disable the auto-fill and drop the water in the tank just below the gutter level, so the pipes are empty?
or..
Do you have access to both ends of the drain pipe, the end inside the tank? Would it be possible to tie a string to an object that will fall through the pipe and into the tank, grab the string and tie a larger rope to it and pull it through. Then tie the rope to a small piece of rag and then pull that through the pipe, cleaning it out. Just brainstorming...
or..
Do you have access to both ends of the drain pipe, the end inside the tank? Would it be possible to tie a string to an object that will fall through the pipe and into the tank, grab the string and tie a larger rope to it and pull it through. Then tie the rope to a small piece of rag and then pull that through the pipe, cleaning it out. Just brainstorming...
Could you suck it back up with a shop vac? I know you will also get water but may not take but a quick suck
Truly a amazing pool you have there. I would think a 250K pool would be designed to handle sand in through section 
. Are the drains in the trough slightly raised to keep the heavy stuff in the trough or are they designed to take all the debris in the through?
What size are the drain lines?
Easiest would be what crabboy suggested. Make a makeshift funnel to insert in the pipe and keep dumping 5 gal buckets down.
I believe any kind of flushing would require a larger hose than your standard garden hose. If you can not some how get a 2" line from your pool system (like a back wash line) my next step would be to simply rent a 2" pump and hose and put the pump in the pool (when I put my 2" pump in pool I will float it so It does not come in contact with the plaster. You will want to clean and flush the rental pump to ensure there are no oils or grease on or in it before putting in the pool...
Just make sure your tank can handle that much extra water..
What were your findings and results with your last issue about the unlevel tile job and improper skimming?
. Are the drains in the trough slightly raised to keep the heavy stuff in the trough or are they designed to take all the debris in the through?What size are the drain lines?
Easiest would be what crabboy suggested. Make a makeshift funnel to insert in the pipe and keep dumping 5 gal buckets down.
I believe any kind of flushing would require a larger hose than your standard garden hose. If you can not some how get a 2" line from your pool system (like a back wash line) my next step would be to simply rent a 2" pump and hose and put the pump in the pool (when I put my 2" pump in pool I will float it so It does not come in contact with the plaster. You will want to clean and flush the rental pump to ensure there are no oils or grease on or in it before putting in the pool...
Just make sure your tank can handle that much extra water..
What were your findings and results with your last issue about the unlevel tile job and improper skimming?
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The drain lines are 1 1/2 inches. They are designed to take all the debris in the trough. I am thinking of getting some type of cap/screen for the drains to keep the debris out. I can't believe it wasn't designed to include them. I'll have to figure it out. The only way I can think of to dry the system out would be to turn off the pool and then drain 100% of the water out of the collecting tank and then do it. I may be getting lucky though. The same company that built my pool is building one next door and the guys who did the plaster are there. They are going to see if they can vacuum it out for me. Might be my lucky day! I'll keep you posted.Truly a amazing pool you have there. I would think a 250K pool would be designed to handle sand in through section
What size are the drain lines?
Easiest would be what crabboy suggested. Make a makeshift funnel to insert in the pipe and keep dumping 5 gal buckets down.
I believe any kind of flushing would require a larger hose than your standard garden hose. If you can not some how get a 2" line from your pool system (like a back wash line) my next step would be to simply rent a 2" pump and hose and put the pump in the pool (when I put my 2" pump in pool I will float it so It does not come in contact with the plaster. You will want to clean and flush the rental pump to ensure there are no oils or grease on or in it before putting in the pool...
Just make sure your tank can handle that much extra water..
What were your findings and results with your last issue about the unlevel tile job and improper skimming?
I am trying however it is only an inch and a half pvc line so getting a long enough and narrow enough tool is difficult. I may try an aquarium siphon.
Block that pipe let pool pump fill gutter from balance tanks, remove block when gutter is full. That should give great water volume on drain pipe.