Hi
I had been noticing a slow drop in level in the pool, over several months, (about a couple of inches every month), and had been constantly topping the pool off. (The level would drop with the pump on or off.) One day, I realized that when the level of the pool dropped BELOW the skimmer opening, the level didn't drop any more. Assuming that there was a leak between the skimmer and the pump, I started digging, to expose the pipe. (I have interlocking brick pavers, which, after removing, I had to dig about 3 feet down, to get to the pipe). The pool and the flex pipe is about 30 years old, and the flex pipe, for about 10 feet from the skimmer, was in a pretty bad shape. There were two spots on the pipe (about 6 feet from the skimmer, and 10 feet from the skimmer) that appeared to be crimped, and cracked.
I have dug out the area between the skimmer and the pump. Have exposed the entire length of pipe. Now I would like to replace the entire pipe. This is where my problem is: unfortunately, it looks like the fitting to the skimmer has been glued on? I can see some blue primer. I have inserted an image below.
So, if this fitting has been glued on, I am assuming that I will not be able to detach the fitting? If I couldn't remove the fitting, I thought that I would just cut the pipe about two inches below, and connect the new flex PVC pipe with a new connector. However, here is my 2nd problem: the old pipe has probably become corroded and damaged over the years, and you can see that the pipe near the fitting looks "corrugated". This corrugation is very apparent for about the first 10 feet of the pipe - and then it gradually becomes smooth like the typical flex pipe surface, beyond 10 feet. This corrugation has expanded the outside diameter of the pipe, and I will not be able to slip the 1.5" PVC fitting onto it.
So, here are my questions:
1. Should I attempt to use a pipe wrench to detach the fitting that is at the bottom of the skimmer? If it is glued on, i am assuming it will be impossible, right? I am concerned that my force may negatively impact the skimmer, and its connection to the pool?
2. If I cannot remove the fitting, and I cannot slip a PVC connector to the old pipe, is the only remaining solution to replace the whole skimmer?
Looking forward to any help you can provide.
Regards,
Roy
I had been noticing a slow drop in level in the pool, over several months, (about a couple of inches every month), and had been constantly topping the pool off. (The level would drop with the pump on or off.) One day, I realized that when the level of the pool dropped BELOW the skimmer opening, the level didn't drop any more. Assuming that there was a leak between the skimmer and the pump, I started digging, to expose the pipe. (I have interlocking brick pavers, which, after removing, I had to dig about 3 feet down, to get to the pipe). The pool and the flex pipe is about 30 years old, and the flex pipe, for about 10 feet from the skimmer, was in a pretty bad shape. There were two spots on the pipe (about 6 feet from the skimmer, and 10 feet from the skimmer) that appeared to be crimped, and cracked.
I have dug out the area between the skimmer and the pump. Have exposed the entire length of pipe. Now I would like to replace the entire pipe. This is where my problem is: unfortunately, it looks like the fitting to the skimmer has been glued on? I can see some blue primer. I have inserted an image below.
So, if this fitting has been glued on, I am assuming that I will not be able to detach the fitting? If I couldn't remove the fitting, I thought that I would just cut the pipe about two inches below, and connect the new flex PVC pipe with a new connector. However, here is my 2nd problem: the old pipe has probably become corroded and damaged over the years, and you can see that the pipe near the fitting looks "corrugated". This corrugation is very apparent for about the first 10 feet of the pipe - and then it gradually becomes smooth like the typical flex pipe surface, beyond 10 feet. This corrugation has expanded the outside diameter of the pipe, and I will not be able to slip the 1.5" PVC fitting onto it.
So, here are my questions:
1. Should I attempt to use a pipe wrench to detach the fitting that is at the bottom of the skimmer? If it is glued on, i am assuming it will be impossible, right? I am concerned that my force may negatively impact the skimmer, and its connection to the pool?
2. If I cannot remove the fitting, and I cannot slip a PVC connector to the old pipe, is the only remaining solution to replace the whole skimmer?
Looking forward to any help you can provide.
Regards,
Roy
