Replacing a Return Fitting

by Samantha
(Southampton, NY)

I have a rusted return jet that needs to be fixed. Can it, and how would I go about doing that? It has rust around the whole outside of the jet and a small leak.

I am hoping to replace just the return jet and not the whole pool itself, can this be done?

Thank you, Samantha

Hi Samantha.

There are many different types of return fittings, and they all come off differently, but so far as I know they all come off.

A Hayward fitting has a large plastic nut on the outside. This nut gets removed and the fitting pushes into the pool for removal. It takes a large set of channel locks to get this nut off.

A Doughboy return gets unthreaded by turning the outside piece. You would remove the hose, stick the fat end of a screwdriver into the hose opening and use it for leverage turning the entire fitting counter clockwise.

Most other returns use some type of nut on the outside that needs to be removed. Once removed it should be easy to take to a pool store and match up with something that would make a good replacement. The Hayward fittings are the most universal and the most widely used. They are also the easiest to find at a pool store.

Replacing Leaking Return Fitting

by Barbara
(Freehold)

I just purchased a new return fitting, how do I remove the old one and install the new one, what kind of tools would I need. Thank you in advance.

Hi Barbara.

On a Doughboy pool you would simply unhook the flex hose from the outside of the fitting and unscrew the outside portion. It is basically two pieces. The inside piece has the threads on it and sticks thru the wall from the inside. The outside piece screws onto the threads and get tightened down by hand.

The other common type of return fitting is the Hayward return. This fitting has a large plastic nut on the outside. It takes a large set of channel locks to undo this nut and then the fitting can be removed. It is also common for this type of fitting to be plumbed with either PVC pipe or Flex PVC. You would need to make a cut in the pipe and use a couple to reconnect it when the new fitting is installed. The fitting the pipe goes into is a threaded fitting that screws into the return. This fitting should not be glued in, just taped and doped but not glued. It needs to be removed before the large nut will come off. You would pretty much reassemble in a reverse manner.

It is also possible you may have one that has an inside faceplate that is held in place with stainless steel screws. You simply remove the screws on this one and nothing needs to be done to the outside section.

Return Fitting

by Rachelle
(Whitesboro, NY)

I am trying to replace the return fitting due to a leak. I cannot get the old fitting to budge. Do you have any suggestion on how to remove the old fitting? I have already popped a hole in the liner.

Hi Rachelle.

The most common type of return fitting is the Hayward. There are others that are made just like it so chances are good you have this type of fitting and these instructions will work. There should be a large plastic nut on the outside of the fitting. This nut needs to be removed with a large set of channel locks. Once the nut has been removed the rest of the fitting is removed from the inside of the pool. The hose adapter that screws into the fitting may have to come off also. Some of these fittings are to big for the nut to slide over, if so it should be removed before the nut is loosened.

Doughboy, and a few other types of returns, have one piece molded elbow and hose adapter on the outside of the pool. This piece is screwed on over the threads of the inner piece. You would first remove the hose from the adapter. The handle of a large screwdriver can be inserted into the opining in the elbow and used for leverage in turning this piece to unscrew it from the inner piece.

If the hole you are talking about is an accidental one, it can be patched. Once the return has been removed you could put the patch in between the liner and the wall, glued to the backside of the liner, so it will never come off and be almost unnoticeable.

Return On Doughboy Pool

by Jackie
(Cincinnati)

I want to replace a hose on the return, but years back a repair guy glued it on. What can I do?

Hi Jackie.

I would cut the hose off with a razor knife, as close to the fitting as possible. I would then use the same knife and cut away at the portion still glued to the return. Chances are the blade can remove the hose and enough of the glue to make fitting usable again. It might even require some sandpaper.

The easy way, of course, would be to buy a new fitting and replace the entire setup. Any Doughboy dealer should have these on the shelf. If they try to sell you the entire skimmer package have then look the return up in their book and see what the price would be to order just what you need.

Pool Return

by Jeff Barton
(Nevada City, CA)

I am planning on replacing my lining for my Doughboy pool, but can not seem to get the filter return off.

I read your explanation that the common Hayward return fitting has a large nut on the outside, but mine doesn't seem to have that. It just has a circular plastic part covering the entire fitting, and when I turn that the entire fitting just rotates. There does not seem to be anything to unscrew. Any chance you can point me in the right direction? Thanks!

Hi Jeff.

You say you have a Doughboy pool so that tells me you do not have a Hayward fitting. A Doughboy fitting works a little different.

You can normally break them loose by just working the outside fitting. There are times when you need a little more force.

There should be a plastic piece holding the eyeball in place, this can be removed easily. Now you have a nice little fitting that you can easily put a set of channel locks on.

On the outside of the pool place the fat end of a screw driver into the return fitting and unscrew it. This works every time.