50,000 gallons later - Plumbing Zone

RealLivePlumber · 09-03-2010, 02:56 PM

Them pool guys sure did do a nice job with the plaster and tile.

Did a nice gob of plugging up the bottom brain, as well

Customer filled it, and turned on the pump. Nothing. So they drained it.

We went over, the bottom drain is 3" steel pipe. Goes down 18", then turns with a 90. There was a water bottle jammed in there, and 8 feet of pipe was packed with cement. We were able to get a good view of it with the Seesnake. We drilled on it for 2 hours, and got it open.

I hope I did not hurt the 80+ year old pipe, though.

I never though the camera and K1500 would be at the bottom of a swimming pool.

RealLivePlumber · 09-03-2010, 02:58 PM

Nother shot

Tommy plumber · 09-03-2010, 11:40 PM

Well done. You saved the day. How long did it take to drain pool down? My price book has a task/add-on for 'drain-down' and a 'commercial drain-down."

RealLivePlumber · 09-04-2010, 08:26 AM

They pumped it out with sump pumps. I think it took a day and a half.

It takes 18 hours to fill.

pdxplumber · 09-04-2010, 10:50 PM

Hope the tile guy was licensed and insured

Somebody is going to have a big repair bill.

By the way, how in the hell do you snake through mortar?

SewerRatz · 09-05-2010, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdxplumber

Hope the tile guy was licensed and insured

Somebody is going to have a big repair bill.

By the way, how in the hell do you snake through mortar?

Take your time, and a few different tools. But the key tool is one made to break up mortar, grout and cement.

RealLivePlumber · 09-05-2010, 10:25 AM

Started with a grease cutter. Switched to a straight auger. After I got through, I went to a funnel auger, then a sawtooth cutter.

Gotta replace a couple after that deal.

We didn't have time to go get any cutters. Had to get it done.

The bitty's are itching to get back in the water.

Don The Plumber · 09-05-2010, 10:36 AM

You also take a chance of pool floating, or moving when you take all the water out like that, due to buoyantcy. Not that you had any other choice. Good job.

RealLivePlumber · 09-05-2010, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don The Plumber

You also take a chance of pool floating, or moving when you take all the water out like that, due to buoyantcy. Not that you had any other choice. Good job.

Their maintenance man did all that. He called me after it was already empty. (He could have given me the extra days notice, though

)

It's an indoor pool, at the local community center. 80+ yrs old. The pump is in the boiler room, 30 feet away, past the mens locker room, and a hallway.

Kinda scary, when you stop to think about it.

09-03-2010, 11:40 PM	#3
Tommy plumber Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: South Florida Posts: 4,145 My Photos	Well done. You saved the day. How long did it take to drain pool down? My price book has a task/add-on for 'drain-down' and a 'commercial drain-down." __________________ Hire a licensed master plumber.

09-04-2010, 08:26 AM	#4
RealLivePlumber Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: NJ Posts: 2,429 My Photos	They pumped it out with sump pumps. I think it took a day and a half. It takes 18 hours to fill. __________________ RealLivePlumber You can make it happen, you can watch it happen, or you can wonder wtf happened. Phil Harris 2009

09-05-2010, 10:25 AM	#7
RealLivePlumber Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: NJ Posts: 2,429 My Photos	Started with a grease cutter. Switched to a straight auger. After I got through, I went to a funnel auger, then a sawtooth cutter. Gotta replace a couple after that deal. We didn't have time to go get any cutters. Had to get it done. The bitty's are itching to get back in the water. __________________ RealLivePlumber You can make it happen, you can watch it happen, or you can wonder wtf happened. Phil Harris 2009

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09-04-2010, 10:50 PM	#5
pdxplumber Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Portland OR Posts: 137 My Photos	Hope the tile guy was licensed and insured Somebody is going to have a big repair bill. By the way, how in the hell do you snake through mortar?

09-05-2010, 10:36 AM	#8
Don The Plumber Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 400 My Photos	You also take a chance of pool floating, or moving when you take all the water out like that, due to buoyantcy. Not that you had any other choice. Good job.