first time posting - blocked skimmer pipes

[charlie54]

I have registered in the past - some years ago when I ordered kits. But I usually just read all the advice. Now I have a problem. I used all the information about clogged pipes last year. Blowing forced water and/or air from the skimmer side then the filter side. Both skimmers are almost completely clogged. I had the leak detector company here late last year and they could not understand what is wrong -- no leaks. I need a company at this point who can tell if I have collapsed pipes or clogs and can fix it. Hopefully without digging up my concrete. I am not far from Camden New Jersey if anyone knows a good company. Most of the pool companies in the area have young gentlemen come out to open or close the pools that don't really know very much about this problem. I was thinking of calling a sewer company because they seem to have small cameras to see where the problems exist.

[aylad]

Hi Charlie,

Some of the "hardware" folks should be along soon and hopefully can offer you some useful advice...I just wanted to welcome you back to the group!

[PoolDoc]

Do you have any info on what sort of pipes you have? You might be able to tell at the equipment pad. If they are flex PVC . . . they are probably dead. That stuff often does not last. Black poly sometimes does OK, sometimes not so much. S40 PVC is usually fine, unless it freezes, but then it leaks, rather than being stopped up.

[BigTallGuy]

Approximately, how long are these runs of pipe? When you forced Air/Water through them, did you get ANYTHING out of the opposite end? Before paying a plumber to come out and run a camera through your pipes, which usually doesn't work if the pipes are full of water, You might try a small hand held Plumber's snake. I have one that has a 1/4 inch diameter flex cable that is 25 feet long. I think they are available at most hardware stores for around $20. You can feed the cable into the pipe while turning the hand crank, and if the pipe is really clogged with debris, this should at least churn it up.

[charlie54]

I have tried the hand held snake and didn't get anywhere. Couldn't tell if I was at a bend or a blockage.
The runs of pipe are about 15 feet. I believe it is the flex pvc and the pool is about 30 years old. I have been here for 10.
While blowing out the lines or forcing water through -- There was something getting through. But when I turned on the filter there was almost no suction. Little pieces of plastic where coming out and pine needles.

If the pipes are collapsed or blocked -- will have to dig up the concrete to lay new pipes?

[PoolDoc]

I'm amazed that you have had flex PVC last 30 years! That's a record, in my experience.

While there are some methods of snaking new pipes down old holes, I doubt they'd be practical in your situation. I haven't seen photos or details, so I can only guess, but my guess is, 'Yes, you'll have to dig up concrete, if it's over the points where you connect'.

You often CAN cut straight across the deck to the skimmers, and run the rest of the piping outside the deck. That may work for you.

[charlie54]

I am ready to call a company in -- can anyone recommend a pool company or a plumber if that is the best in southern new jersey?

[PoolDoc]

If you'll send pictures in, we can probably give you a set of instructions that a plumber can follow. Most plumbers are somewhat scared of pools, but if you tell them you just need a 1.5" or 2" pipe run from here to there, they'll relax. I'm telling you this since plumbers can be somewhat easier to find than pool guys. Of course, in NJ, all plumbers may be unionized and WAY more expensive than pool guys. But that's not the case everywhere, and I don't know if it's true there.

If you do send pics, take pictures of the skimmers, the deck, and the equipment area, and send them to poolforum@gmail.com

[Cbw2121]

I saw a really neat video on youtube the other day on trouble shooting and repairing clogged skimmer lines...go to youtube search "clogged skimmer lines video" I hope it helps

[PoolDoc]

If it was THIS one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_Q5EawYkm8
don't do that, except as a last resort -- you can shatter PVC lines that way!

This one is OK,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jiL-pFEhWf4
but only applies to a specific set of circumstances. Ironically, the sort of problem here, is just the sort of situation that can lead to a shattered pipe using the techniques in the first video!