CyprusLiving

I recently found that both skimmers on my pool were not drawing water and the only flow to the filter was via the main drain connection. To cut a long story short, it looked as though I was going to be faced with a huge bill to dig up my expensive patio and replace many metres of plastic pipework; but the pool contractor I consulted suggested that there was a guy in Limassol with a camera that could be inserted into both ends of the pipe to establish where exactly the blockage was and the nature of it. He thought that it may be attributable to earth movement causing local pinching of the pipe - and we did have a minor tremor a while back that lifted a neighbour's kitchen tiles, so it seemed a reasonable suggestion and would be cheaper than digging up the whole lot.

The camera guy came yesterday and the cause of the problem was quickly apparent - chemical blistering of the interior of the pipes at the skimmer end.

Like many people I have spoken to, I was under the impression that the pipes were chemical proof, and I had certainly not been warned of the potential for such damage, which is largely avoidable.

The problem is caused by chemicals added to the skimmers not being cleared away. This is a particular issue if you use chemical tablets in the winter. When the pump runs infrequently, large concentrations of chemicals settle in the pipes near the bottom of the skimmers as the pipes there are at the lowest part of system. That chemical concentration attacks the pipes over time, reducing the flow until, like mine, it stopped altogether.

The answer is not to use tablets in winter and to run the pump more frequently in summer. Had I been aware of it earlier, I could have saved myself a large bill, and much disruption to come. So if you hadn't considered this problem, do so. It could save you a lot of money!

How very interesting. Thanks for the warning, as you say it's not something you would think of.

That's interesting KG;

can we have some more details please?
what's your normal winter running time?
what sort of tablet are (were?) you using?
have you been using calcium hypochlorite over the summer?
anything to avoid a similar problem!

KG wrote: the pool contractor I consulted suggested that there was a guy in Limassol with a camera that could be inserted into both ends of the pipe to establish where exactly the blockage was and the nature of it.

The camera guy came yesterday and the cause of the problem was quickly apparent - chemical blistering of the interior of the pipes at the skimmer end.

Could you PM the details of the "camera man" as this could be a useful contact.
Thanks

Hi, I have that problem, both skimmers have stopped working, would be useful to have the name or phone number of the company that has this camera that can detect where the problem lies before I have my garden dug up. Funny enough I was told a little while ago about chlorine tablets in the skimmers and that it might cause problems. Two of my neighbors have had their pipes replaced recently. It's not always down to chlorine tablets though sometimes it's through bad workmanship and the developer not keeping an eye on his workmen.

alan

Having chatted at length to Manni this morning, I've now seen the problem close up, as he had a chunk of pipe behind his desk which he showed me...

The problem first started appearing here a few years ago, which coincides with an awful lot of Brits getting worried about their electric bills, and cutting their pump running times down to the minimum...
This years' electric bills have only compounded the problem!
I must admit, to me, the solution is obvious; use granules over the winter, or add a chlorine dispenser, (the solid pipe doesn't appear to be affected) but I've spent the day ramming my fingers as far as possible down skimmer pipes, and found nothing wrong in any of them, so it could be a combination of things; I've always believed that IF you cut your pump time to an hour a day in the winter, then you can't use slow dissolving tablets; they take about eight hours of running to show a reading, which is a week of running with unsanitised water.
I can't help feeling that if you keep your levels constant summer or winter, then any materials sold for use in pool construction should have a decent degree of tolerance built into their specifications, but I've visited a good few pools over the years, where I've opened a skimmer lid to be confronted by up to a dozen tablets! Now THAT's most likely to be where the problem starts!

You would need very long fingers to reach the part of the pipe that is affected! But as you say, granules in winter are the obvious solution - isn't hindsight wonderful

KG, could you let us know what the regime was last year please?

running time?
type of tabs?
Alkalinity level?
what developer or pool company?

Manni reckoned he'd seen it in quite recent installations, but that the quality of pipe used as "contract grade" had become poorer over the past few years; As I've only just installed "contract grade" flexi-pipe for my own pool, and encased it in concrete, (even though I'm running a low-wattage pump for longer running times!) I'm slightly worried for myself, let alone my customers!

I don't think the developer of pool company is relevant as the pool is eight years old. The tablets are the Astral 5 in one tabs from Superhome (and others), but I don't think the make is directly relevant either.

The problem, as you highlighted in your earlier post, relates primarily to running time. The pool needs to run at least 8 hours a day in summer and six in winter including one session of at least the four hours needed to recirculate all the water in an 8 x 4 pool. Because of the problems at Mari last year, the running time had been drastically cut back. This was adequate to keep the pool clean, but ultimately self defeating.

The tablets are slow dissolving and as the pipes to the skimmer are at their lowest point immediately before the skimmer before rising to ground level, the chemical concentration becomes very high in that first metre or so of pipe. It is that concentration that is the problem and with insufficient running time it can sit there for many hours - especially in winter on an even shorter cycle.

The answer, as you also identified, seems to be to use granulated chemicals, (especially in winter) and run the pump for four hours after adding chemicals. That way there should be no build-up of chemicals in the pipes. Now if only I had been told that at the outset ...

I suppose you could use a floating dispenser for tablets, but they have the potential to stick to the sides of the pool and thus bleach the liner, so need to be used with caution.

I will know more about the state of the pipes tomorrow after they have been dug up, but for the future I will be changing my pump cycle to run for four hours and a number of shorter bursts to clear the pipes.

Hi KG
Winterizing of Swimming Pools,here in the UK we do so many with out any bother but we do drop the water level below the skimmers so tablets are not used. It is best to check your water balances first PH levels 7.2 alk 120 Cyanuric acid 50ppm when this is correct then take your Chlorine level up to 4ppm using Hypochlorite diluted first before adding to pool run pump
for a time to circulate. we always put in a Algicide the correct amount for your pool gallons, then put your winter cover on. unlike the UK we have to drain down pump and filter also heating side to suit weather conditions unlike Cyprus. But if done correctly why should you need to run your pool Pump, as you can keep an eye on your pool if you live there. And you do have short winters. But going back to tablets in skimmers yes you most have pool pump on to correct running times best to split morning and afternoon, this gives better flow at all times.
Chlorine concentrate very damaging due to high acid content in Chlorine tablets.

Must stress this is only my oppion.

Regards Steve.

I now have been given details of a Paphos-based company who can do CCTV on pipe runs up to about 45 metres, for pools or drain runs; I have used them today, and was very happy with both what I saw, and the price I was charged I can PM details to anyone who wants them!

Hi .... yes would be very interested in details

Geoff

Please could I have the number of the camera man.


regards john