Using PVC for an Above Ground Pool

by Mark
(Slidell LA)

I want to use PVC instead of the flexible tubing that came with the filter and pump. Is there any thing I should be aware of when doing this?

The return jet fits in the inside diameter of 2" PVC. Is this how I want it to fit or do I want to have the PVC on the outside of the piping?

Also what would I use to seal this, silicone, PVC glue, something else?

Thanks

Hi Mark.

Most above ground pool filters are compatible with 1 1/2 inch PVC pipe. The threaded fittings usually take 1 1/2 inch male adapters and the pipe is glued into them with PVC glue. The threaded fittings should be treated with pipe dope and Teflon tape, not glue.

For above ground pools I also recommend using PVC Flex Pipe because it is so much easier to use. It also gives as the walls of your pools move due to splashing on the inside. The walls flex just a little and the flex pipe will move with it, where the rigid pipe will not.

Flexible PVC will last ten years or longer so you are really not sacrificing any quality by using it.

I don't recommend doing as you are suggesting and gluing a PVC pipe over a hose adapter. The hose adapter should be threaded into something so ideally you want to replace the hose adapter with a PVC male adapter.

Doughboy is one of the only systems where the hose adapter is a part of the skimmer and return. Doughboy makes a hard plumb adapter kit for converting to PVC. It amounts to a rubber sleeve with two different size openings and two hose clamps. One end goes over the hose adapter and get clamped in place, the PVC pipe fits in the other end and also gets a clamp.