I have a pool which has 1&3/4" PVC pipe going from the pool (the skimmer) to the pool pump. The pump suctions water in from the pool.
Unfortunately, debris (leaves and pine needles and other stuff) has gotten into that line (it is about 30 feet long) and partially clogged the line.

Part of the PVC pipe is above ground. Most is below.

I used a drain king to partially open the line. It worked best when I briefly covered the opening to the line, thereby briefly increasing the pressure inside the line. I still need to still declog the line, but am concerned that I can burst the pipe if I allow too much pressure to build up. How long can I allow pressure to build up before the PVC pipe will burst?

I will also try using a snake, but there are 90 degree elbows and I am not sure the snake will accomodate those.

thanks in advance


john

speedball1

Hi John,

Max pressure on 1/3/4" schedule 40 is 370 PSI. On schudue 80 it's 520 PSI.
If you plan on snaking the line out, (recommended) then I suggest using a 1/4" cable with the tip reversed so you go in with the plain end. That will get you around the elbows. Good luck, Tom

bauerjab

Thanks for the response.

In terms of time, if I am running a garden hose and I block the line, how long will it take to reach, for example, 370 PSI. Also, how do I know if it is "schedule 40" type PVC.

John

speedball1

Hi John,
"if I am running a garden hose and I block the line, how long will it take to reach, for example, 370 PSI?"
It depends on the garden hose and the pressure behind it. If you're inputting. say, 400 PSI I figure about 3 or 4 seconds to blow up your hose. if you have attached the hose to a outside hose bib, never. Usually they use schedule 20 0r 40 on pool lines. My guess is #40. Tom

bauerjab

Many thanks Tom.

I am merely running the garden hose from a spicket on the outside of my house to the PVC pipe.

Based on what you said, I now know that I can not blow up my PVC pipe. And surely I won't blow it up if I hold the line closed at for 15-20 seconds.

I am holding the line closed with the palm of my hand. Do you have any idea at what pressure my palm will simply not be able to hold back the flow of water. Is it far below 370 PSI?

Thanks again.

John

speedball1

John, You're gonna have a problem holding back 60 PSI with the palm of your hands. What kind of pressure will a Drain King generate? Tom

bauerjab

Tom,

I have no idea what kind of pressure the drain king generates, but it is not much. That is because the clog is not that bad. It is merely clogged enough to prevent my skimmer from running perfectly. So when I run the drain king, if I do not create pressure, water flows through easily.

For reasons you may understand, the clog seems to get declogged if I create a pressure by holding the line closed and and then suddenly letting go, thereby creating a "pulse" of higher pressure water.

I appreciate your responses.

John