Title: I need help!
Post by: collecture on March 22, 2007, 12:32:26 pm
Off the soda subject here, but I'm in a bind.
10 years ago, we had our swimming pool resurfaced.
We went with the pebble tech.
The company that did it clogged my main drain when they sprayed the concrete.
We have to drain our pools about every 5 years because the water gets too hard.
You end up using twice as much chlorine, etc. when the water gets really hard.
I discovered it 5 years ago when I drained it,
but I drained it too close to summer and had to fill it right back up
before the heat cracked my pool surface.
Anyway, I am trying to chip away at the clogged drain.
It goes down about 6 or 7 inches and 90's out.
Does anyone have any suggestions how I could chip away around the bend?
Maybe even dig away around the bend?
I got a steel rod and bent the end and tried hammering at it, but it doesn't appear to be doing much.
10 years ago, we had our swimming pool resurfaced.
We went with the pebble tech.
The company that did it clogged my main drain when they sprayed the concrete.
We have to drain our pools about every 5 years because the water gets too hard.
You end up using twice as much chlorine, etc. when the water gets really hard.
I discovered it 5 years ago when I drained it,
but I drained it too close to summer and had to fill it right back up
before the heat cracked my pool surface.
Anyway, I am trying to chip away at the clogged drain.
It goes down about 6 or 7 inches and 90's out.
Does anyone have any suggestions how I could chip away around the bend?
Maybe even dig away around the bend?
I got a steel rod and bent the end and tried hammering at it, but it doesn't appear to be doing much.
Title: I need help!
Post by: MCarter on March 22, 2007, 12:37:45 pm
Use a electric chisle. Then a gas powered Sewer snake. Good Luck
Title: I need help!
Post by: MCarter on March 22, 2007, 02:02:11 pm
Use a electric chisle. Then a gas powered Sewer snake. Good Luck
Title: I need help!
Post by: cormy on March 22, 2007, 03:36:48 pm
You might be able to use a mason blade on a circular saw if the concrete isn't too thick. By cutting square out around the drain then chipping away.
Title: I need help!
Post by: Jim on March 22, 2007, 05:59:37 pm
Tom,
Are you referring to the drain at the bottom of the pool(deep end)...?
Do you have only one drain at the bottom or two...?
Is the pool empty while you're attempting this repair...?
Again, if this is the bottom of the pool drain, that's a loonngg way to dig!
Just remember that the plumbing is only PVC and chiseling, banging with a hammer, etc, etc may crack the pipe or the glued fittings only making things worse!
I'm at a loss since it's concrete in the pipe...
Perhaps, if the pool is empty, you could cut into the line running to the drain and attempt to break up the gunite(concrete) with a extra stiff plumbers snake while someone views the progress from the drain hole in the pool with a flashlight and tongs to removed debris as progress is made...
Are you referring to the drain at the bottom of the pool(deep end)...?
Do you have only one drain at the bottom or two...?
Is the pool empty while you're attempting this repair...?
QUOTE
Maybe even dig away around the bend?
Again, if this is the bottom of the pool drain, that's a loonngg way to dig!
Just remember that the plumbing is only PVC and chiseling, banging with a hammer, etc, etc may crack the pipe or the glued fittings only making things worse!
I'm at a loss since it's concrete in the pipe...
Perhaps, if the pool is empty, you could cut into the line running to the drain and attempt to break up the gunite(concrete) with a extra stiff plumbers snake while someone views the progress from the drain hole in the pool with a flashlight and tongs to removed debris as progress is made...
Title: I need help!
Post by: collecture on March 22, 2007, 06:24:35 pm
Thanks everybody, but I gave up.
Jim,
It was the bottom drain and, as you said, I was afraid I would crack or break the PVC.
The only way I thought I might be able to get at it was to chisle out the concrete around the drain.
Then cut the PVC, unblock it, redo the PVC and pour concrete back around it.
No thanks!
But it started raining and water started filling up around me.
I lived with it for 10 years, so I guess I can live with it for another 10 until I get it redone again.
Jim,
It was the bottom drain and, as you said, I was afraid I would crack or break the PVC.
The only way I thought I might be able to get at it was to chisle out the concrete around the drain.
Then cut the PVC, unblock it, redo the PVC and pour concrete back around it.
No thanks!
But it started raining and water started filling up around me.
I lived with it for 10 years, so I guess I can live with it for another 10 until I get it redone again.
Title: I need help!
Post by: sodaworks on March 22, 2007, 10:01:33 pm
Consult the pool company that screwed up the pebble tek. When they explain what needs to be done, inform them that they caused the problem and see if they can over a solution.
Title: I need help!
Post by: collecture on March 22, 2007, 10:09:06 pm
Terry,
I called them 3 times (Shasta Pools) and always got the runaround and was directed to voicemails.
Left messages, but no replies.
Needless to say - I won't be using them next time.
I called them 3 times (Shasta Pools) and always got the runaround and was directed to voicemails.
Left messages, but no replies.
Needless to say - I won't be using them next time.
Title: I need help!
Post by: Creighton on March 23, 2007, 04:15:36 am
Tom,
Surprised they are still in business. Did the pool installation gig years ago. The entire drain pipe should be replaced. Big expensive mess. Easier to just rent a good pump when it's time to drain the pool.
Creighton
Surprised they are still in business. Did the pool installation gig years ago. The entire drain pipe should be replaced. Big expensive mess. Easier to just rent a good pump when it's time to drain the pool.
Creighton