Advice on Pipes

[CarlD]

I use PVC all the time--it's great stuff! My pool's plumbing is a combination of PVC and TigerFlex. But ALL fittings that attach to the PVC or TF are glued-on. Use ONLY Schedule 40 fittings--they handle pressure. (Schedule 80 is OK too--heavier than Sched 40). Other fittings at your home-improvement store are for drains, which are not pressurized and can fail under pressure.

Tips: Buy cleaner and primer as well as glue--sometimes the primer does both. Purple primer is ugly but allows the inspector to see it was primed. Same for blue glue.
Use lots and lots of quick-disconnect fittings. Put one at EVER place you may want to break the line. Use lots of ball valves too--many double as quick releases. That way you can shut down the skimmer and keep the low drain, or vice versa. You can disconnect something and not have your pool empty in your face!

Plus, come winter close-down, those quick-releases will be a BLESSING. (just remember to lube the rubber gaskets with silicone grease especially for that purpose, and seal them in something airless--that way they don't crack over the winter.)

[Poconos]

When I replumbed my system I decided against unions because of their cost and I wanted something flexible to reduce stress on pipes and fittings and cut down on noise. Wound up with sections of straight auto radiator hose of the right size slipped over the PVC pipes and held with hose clamps. You can get 3 foot sections in almost any auto store. Go for the cheaper stuff, you don't need the super reinforced high cost hose. Should be about $20 per 3' section or thereabouts. Mine have been in place for probably 5-6 seasons now and show very little sign of deterioration.
Al

[roxy]

Hello all,
Although I haven't gotten my pool yet, I too would like to hard pipe everything. I also plan on adding a solar heater, so I was wondering if I need the $60.00 three way valve that is shown on most of the solar products web pages. I am sure that the built in bypass valve that some collectors have is good enough to eliminate the flow, but because the collector will be about 30 feet from the pool, should I install the three way valve to save my pump from laboring. Any pics of your pool's hard piping setups would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.