Also what I would add something I also learned from David when I got into pools years ago. And at my current pool company. When we build or renovate 90% of what we replace is flex pipe due to failure from cracks,collapsing,and deterioration from chemicals. Being the main issues. Mainly on most hard piped pools we find them used for the spa trunk lines supplying the air and water mixtures.
I used the 1.5 flex ro add a second outlet from my filter, on an above ground no problems, going on 4 years now. I ran along the ground with a 90 to the outlet. I like the straighter runs without adding extra restrictions like 90s. Just an observation but a pool guy plumbed it but added a 90 just before my pump. I since have modified things and now have at least 10 inches straight after the 90 into pump. Surprisingly, there is a flow difference. Just a few days ago I learned pump manufacturers recommend not going 90 into pump. I should have known that since I do RO work with a 4040 and sometimes tank the water and use 1-3gpm pumps. I learned not to restrict outflow for at least a foot or so after the pump, like 3/4 tubing to 3/8 immediately. The motor amp draw is significantly higher trying to push straight into a restriction vs allowing a foot os so of room before restriction. If it does this with a 12v motor then I would assume AC will be drawing more amps as well which causes overheating.
We just spent $2000 to replace our skimmer and lines, the previous owner used flex PVC underground all the way up to the skimmer. It was leaking in several spots and a couple of spots had collapsed.
2000 is cheap I just got a quote to repair my main drain that is plumbed with flex pipe for 8 grand. That price was just for the main drain. My skimmers are also flex pipe. My home was built in 1973 gunite with returns also placed in the deep end. Those for some reason are filled with dirt. Waiting for the off season to see if I can get the job cheaper 1
Most pool builders bury flex within frost depth. Is flex actually suitable for freezing temperatures and is the _material_ resistant to frost penetration? What building standard is OK with directly burying flexible tubing (i.e, “flex PVC”) for conveying water or chlorinated water? Rigid PVC should be insulated from frost, correct?-if so, how? Flex is not rated for potable water and I wouldn't want to swim or bathe in the water it conveys.
flexible PVC pipe was used on my pool 20 years ago and Ive found allot of spots that have collapsed and kinked. When i pulled everything apart, the pipe looks like it was rotting from the inside out and failed. Its really only on the returns, everything else was fine. Could that be from Chlorine or hot water from the heater? Thanks.
I made the mistake of using flexible PVC piping for a cistern. It was installed underground and within a couple of years I started having problems with it losing its prime. Soon, it lost its ability to hold any pressure. Too hard to dig it all up, but, am certain critters ate into it and ruined it. Gave up using it for getting rain water in my home, and renovated a turn of the century manual well pump that I mounted on the top of that cistern. So, buyer beware. Flexible PVC is expensive and not to be used underground as the expert also warned in the video! Wish now I'd done more homework and not listened to the pool store's advice.
Flexible PVC pipe was originally known a spa pipe. Portable spa manufacturers used it because of it's ease of installation. Pool contractors saw this as an opportunity to use on inground installs mostly because they didn't need to dig a straight trench and the pipe came in 50' and 100' rolls. A connection at one end and roll it down the trench.There are multiple problems with this pipe though. I can tell you this from my 35 years in this trade.First, the pipe is known to have insect infestation-ants, termites, etc.. They love to chew on this pipe and create holes resulting in leaks.Chlorine in high levels over time will destroy this pipe. Common problems I have seen are skimmers fitted with flex pipe and customers drop chlorine tabs in the baskets. Bad idea.Improper water balance such as acidic conditions will damage this pipe. It will become brittle.Just burying the pipe in the ground will flatten the pipe over time, misshaping it rendering it useless to make a repair with a perfectly round coupling or any other PVC fitting.From a water hydraulic standpoint, the ribbed finish on the inside off the pipe creates resistance in your plumbing system. Flexible PVC form the supply houses comes max 2" so it's useless for spa or pool requirements of 3" or more.Rigid Sch. 40 PVC is the far better choice. I believe most pool contractors or their plumbers are not informed or just plain lazy and use the flex pipe as it saves time. The smooth bore of Sch. 40 rigid allows for better water transfer and less resistance.Basically, flexible PVC for swimming pools is just plain crap. Hell, I'd use poly pipe before this stuff. Pools built in the 60's and 70's had poly pipe. The pipe would not fail but the fittings would.If you have the proper tools and equipment to heat bend PVC, you will have a better job at the end of the day. Pool contractors do yourself a favor and learn how to work with rigid pipe.
Really appreciate you sharing your extensive experience. Do you have any insight on burying Sch-40 rigid PVC within frost depth, about 2½-feet deep?-is insulation required, like rigid XPS boards for example?
I need to connect my filter to my heat pump and the heat pump back to the salt chlorinator. Tight awkward spaces. Is flex PVC ok for this purpose? It only operates around 15 psi but I’m wondering if it is heat proof or any other problems. Thanks
You would not want to use backwash hose to carry water from the filter to the pool. That kind of hose can be punctured too easily. You'd risk draining the pool.
In 30 years of pool plumbing, I have found that Flexy pipe shrinks in length and diameter which can pull it out of the fittings or snap fittings off. It's CRAP
Sadly, it is true. In particular the flex pvc is termite bait in the market I serve. East TN. Twenty Five years here. Have personally dug up 6 decks where builders opted for the flex pipe. Not worth the risk for underground use.
Also what I would add something I also learned from David when I got into pools years ago. And at my current pool company. When we build or renovate 90% of what we replace is flex pipe due to failure from cracks,collapsing,and deterioration from chemicals. Being the main issues. Mainly on most hard piped pools we find them used for the spa trunk lines supplying the air and water mixtures.
I used the 1.5 flex ro add a second outlet from my filter, on an above ground no problems, going on 4 years now. I ran along the ground with a 90 to the outlet. I like the straighter runs without adding extra restrictions like 90s. Just an observation but a pool guy plumbed it but added a 90 just before my pump. I since have modified things and now have at least 10 inches straight after the 90 into pump. Surprisingly, there is a flow difference. Just a few days ago I learned pump manufacturers recommend not going 90 into pump. I should have known that since I do RO work with a 4040 and sometimes tank the water and use 1-3gpm pumps. I learned not to restrict outflow for at least a foot or so after the pump, like 3/4 tubing to 3/8 immediately. The motor amp draw is significantly higher trying to push straight into a restriction vs allowing a foot os so of room before restriction. If it does this with a 12v motor then I would assume AC will be drawing more amps as well which causes overheating.
We just spent $2000 to replace our skimmer and lines, the previous owner used flex PVC underground all the way up to the skimmer. It was leaking in several spots and a couple of spots had collapsed.
Thank you for the feedback, Jesse. Sorry to hear that the previous owner went with flexible PVC underground.
2000 is cheap I just got a quote to repair my main drain that is plumbed with flex pipe for 8 grand. That price was just for the main drain. My skimmers are also flex pipe. My home was built in 1973 gunite with returns also placed in the deep end. Those for some reason are filled with dirt. Waiting for the off season to see if I can get the job cheaper 1
Most pool builders bury flex within frost depth. Is flex actually suitable for freezing temperatures and is the _material_ resistant to frost penetration? What building standard is OK with directly burying flexible tubing (i.e, “flex PVC”) for conveying water or chlorinated water?
Rigid PVC should be insulated from frost, correct?-if so, how?
Flex is not rated for potable water and I wouldn't want to swim or bathe in the water it conveys.
Hey, that guy looks familiar ;). Very funny testing bit. Right on.
flexible PVC pipe was used on my pool 20 years ago and Ive found allot of spots that have collapsed and kinked. When i pulled everything apart, the pipe looks like it was rotting from the inside out and failed. Its really only on the returns, everything else was fine. Could that be from Chlorine or hot water from the heater? Thanks.
Could just be that it’s 20 years old, the stuff ain’t indestructible 🤷🏻♂️
We've had flex plumbing on our inground pool since 99. Zero issues
That's great. Just curios, in what region of the country is the pool located?
@@Inyopools Southern Ohio. Lots of clay here. Lots.. Salt Water pool as well
Flex inground since 1985 ... No issues ... Quebec.
This looks like it would be ideal for an above ground pool
Absolutely. FlexPVC is a good choice for Above ground pools. Thanks for watching! :)
Can I use it to hook it up the overflow pipe to redirect the water?
Thank You just what I wanted to know
Had flex PVC going to my pool heater, they both collapsed (suction flat), and had to be replaced.
I made the mistake of using flexible PVC piping for a cistern. It was installed underground and within a couple of years I started having problems with it losing its prime. Soon, it lost its ability to hold any pressure. Too hard to dig it all up, but, am certain critters ate into it and ruined it. Gave up using it for getting rain water in my home, and renovated a turn of the century manual well pump that I mounted on the top of that cistern. So, buyer beware. Flexible PVC is expensive and not to be used underground as the expert also warned in the video! Wish now I'd done more homework and not listened to the pool store's advice.
Flexible PVC pipe was originally known a spa pipe. Portable spa manufacturers used it because of it's ease of installation. Pool contractors saw this as an opportunity to use on inground installs mostly because they didn't need to dig a straight trench and the pipe came in 50' and 100' rolls. A connection at one end and roll it down the trench.There are multiple problems with this pipe though. I can tell you this from my 35 years in this trade.First, the pipe is known to have insect infestation-ants, termites, etc.. They love to chew on this pipe and create holes resulting in leaks.Chlorine in high levels over time will destroy this pipe. Common problems I have seen are skimmers fitted with flex pipe and customers drop chlorine tabs in the baskets. Bad idea.Improper water balance such as acidic conditions will damage this pipe. It will become brittle.Just burying the pipe in the ground will flatten the pipe over time, misshaping it rendering it useless to make a repair with a perfectly round coupling or any other PVC fitting.From a water hydraulic standpoint, the ribbed finish on the inside off the pipe creates resistance in your plumbing system. Flexible PVC form the supply houses comes max 2" so it's useless for spa or pool requirements of 3" or more.Rigid Sch. 40 PVC is the far better choice. I believe most pool contractors or their plumbers are not informed or just plain lazy and use the flex pipe as it saves time. The smooth bore of Sch. 40 rigid allows for better water transfer and less resistance.Basically, flexible PVC for swimming pools is just plain crap. Hell, I'd use poly pipe before this stuff. Pools built in the 60's and 70's had poly pipe. The pipe would not fail but the fittings would.If you have the proper tools and equipment to heat bend PVC, you will have a better job at the end of the day. Pool contractors do yourself a favor and learn how to work with rigid pipe.
Hi Kevin, Thanks for the insight on Flex PVC. We can definitely agree that rigid pipe is the way to go for new constructions and inground plumbing.
Really appreciate you sharing your extensive experience. Do you have any insight on burying Sch-40 rigid PVC within frost depth, about 2½-feet deep?-is insulation required, like rigid XPS boards for example?
@@ROMA--AETERNA There's no issue at that depth. No need for insulation.
If I use flexible PVC for my above ground pool, will I need to have them lay on the ground between the skimmer/pump and filter/return?
They don't have to lay on the ground. They can be elevated.
I need to connect my filter to my heat pump and the heat pump back to the salt chlorinator. Tight awkward spaces. Is flex PVC ok for this purpose? It only operates around 15 psi but I’m wondering if it is heat proof or any other problems. Thanks
Yes, you can use flexible pvc for plumbing above ground. Flexible CPVC is designed to handle heat better than flexible PVC.
Inyo Pools thank you so much for the quick reply :)
Hi, can I use a backwash hose inted of a flexible PVC hose in from my filter to my pool?
You would not want to use backwash hose to carry water from the filter to the pool. That kind of hose can be punctured too easily. You'd risk draining the pool.
Ty
Flex pipe shrinks over time,and just falls straight out of fittings.
Flexible pipes perish after a few years outside and split easily if moved. I'm talking seven or eight years.
Lol i think the flex pipe for our pool has been in use for 15 or so years. It doesnt look great
I just installed 70' of flex pvc for a new skimmer line.... Did i just make a mistake?
The flex pipe is more susceptible to holes if it is placed underground. If it's above ground, you're ok.
EPIC FAIL
In 30 years of pool plumbing, I have found that Flexy pipe shrinks in length and diameter which can pull it out of the fittings or snap fittings off. It's CRAP
It's not true, I have been using it for years and I have never had a problem with it,
Keep in mind, there are exceptions to every rule.
- MGS
Sadly, it is true. In particular the flex pvc is termite bait in the market I serve. East TN. Twenty Five years here. Have personally dug up 6 decks where builders opted for the flex pipe. Not worth the risk for underground use.
Came for the knowledge, liked for the dad jokes.
nice attack on titan jacket
Thanks for noticing. :) - MGS
How come it wasn't in David's gay voice?