Installing Returns/Light Fittings & Skimmer | Fiberglass Swimming Pool

[@jonport_]

Comment your question below⬇️

[@ryanjohnson6880]

I run a concrete pool company that is transitioning to fibreglass and every video on youtube i watch from every fibreglass pool installer emphasises how important it is to get your hole saw size correct, i feel your past mistakes when i hear that, respect to you my friend for the shit you had to deal with when that hole was the wrong size 😅

[@jonport_]

Haha 🙏🏻 stay tuned to the channel. I’m producing a 17 part video series on how to build a fiberglass swimming pool and I’m also coming out with a complete high level program. That will teach you everything you need to know when it comes to building a fiberglass swimming pool project this winter.

[@DealerOnHold]

Great video bro. Thanks for the effort!

[@jonport_]

Thank you for watching and subscribing!

[@Emilyrumiano]

Do you have any videos showing your take on an install of large light niches (Pentair product) ? Love your videos you are awesome!

[@jonport_]

No i do not. I don’t use those on our pools and thank you for the kind words Emily🙏🏻

[@Never2Loud]

Thank you for sharing your experience. I'm in the process of replacing 4 return jets (CMP) on a return line that dropped (settled) after 10 years and one jet got cracked. Silly question - Is that 100% silicone the same 100% GE Silicone I see at Walmart, HD, etc? Is it the all-purpose stuff, or do you prefer a specific type?

[@jonport_]

Thats awesome brother! Glad its helped you. Yes. 100% from GE. It just needs to be 100% silicone regardless of the brand.

[@Never2Loud]

@@jonport_ Thank you for confirming. Apologies, one last question please. Once you install the 4 wall jet fittings, I assume you then insert/glue 2" extensions outward from each fitting (let's say 6" - 12" for example) that go to the 2" branch line and T-fittings. Do those extensions from the wall have enough (any) lateral- sideways movement to help attach the 2" PVC lines to each T fitting? Or do you make a (long) one-piece manifold to slip & glue the entire branch line to the 4 wall jets all at once? I'm a little concerned that once I attach the first jet extension and T-fitting, there won't be any sideways flex to squeeze the next PVC segment to the next T-fitting jet and so-on. Does that make sense? Am I over-thinking this?

[@jonport_]

@@Never2Loud i think i get what you’re saying haha. 1st thing, the fittings are 1 1/2 so you’ll use 1 1/2 to extend it and then reduce on the T fitting. Ok so assuming its on a straight wall, extend all fitting out the same length. (Assuming theres only 3 fittings) Then work left to right. Set the first 2 Ts in place with out glue and measure the pipe in between with in a 1/16 Then glue those Ts together by them sleeves. Use a flat surface and face the T down so when you glue them both they are square. At that point it should fit like a puzzle on those first 2. On the last you’ll dry set that same way as you did before, measure and cut. And then you’ll fit them all at the same time. You’ll want to to be smooth and quick. They should fit really nice at that point. I hope this helps

[@Never2Loud]

@@jonport_ Makes sense. Thank you!

[@jonport_]

@patf491 awesome. Good luck!

[@tommyjensen6]

I do leak detection and I run across a lot of pools with as many as three extension collars. Is this from placing the skimmer too low?

[@jonport_]

@@tommyjensen6 yes. What’s the lowest you have seen?

[@tommyjensen6]

@@jonport_ I’ve never measured but I’d say 6-8”

[@jonport_]

@@tommyjensen6 from the top of pool to top of skimmer?

[@tommyjensen6]

@@jonport_ from the point where you measured down 2” to top of faceplate, I’ve seen that down a few times 6-8”

[@rizabalanca2788]

Just update your tools bro you did a good job

[@jonport_]

@@rizabalanca2788 👊🏻👊🏻🇺🇸

[@acansz]

Shouldnt there be a gasket in the skimmer, other than silicon? (Im about to replace a similar skimmer in my hot tub)

[@jonport_]

That is the gasket the silicone. It seals of way better, because it molds to the shell.

[@acansz]

@@jonport_ oh okay :-) I about to reseal a waterway skimmer. I can see previously a gasket have been used, but also silicon. Do i need to buy another gasket, or should i be able to just silicone it?

[@jonport_]

@@acansz I would just use silicone. You see how I cake it on really thick and then spread it out on the inside of the skimmer and that way it gets through everything alter your screw holes you can’t get that with a gasket. Just make sure everything is been cleaned and wipe down you can use some acetone as well.

[@jeffp862]

Why don’t you use marine 4200 instead of silicone for the fittings?

[@jonport_]

I Just haven’t. Not sure it even necessary. I’ll definitely consider it.

[@joshyingling]

I would recommend it brother, Im at 8 years with a leak detection company and we just use fast set 5200, big upgrade in waterproof

[@jeffp862]

@@joshyingling only problem w 5200 is it’s meant to be forever . Hardens like a rock eventually but 4200 is a little forgiving if you gotta take it apart . Both amazing products meant to be used below a water line. I just had to reseal a light under water w marine 4200 not drained, put it on the fitting thick dunked it and tightened it and it sealed like a dream

[@joshyingling]

@@jeffp862 yeah for sure, don't get it where you don't want it forever! Love those fittings you are using in the video. Much better than the ones with the giant hex nut for the back

[@jonport_]

Are you seeing pool fittings, failing? Or the seal around them?

[@craigersanimation]

Hi Jonathan, How do you remove the fine fibreglass particles from the water after the holes have been cut?

[@jonport_]

Normally i don’t haha. The filter picks them up. You can vacuum some of them up that fall on the edge of the shell. That’s ideal.

[@joshjones7690]

Are you in Nashville

[@jonport_]

No sir. I’m in new Albany IN

[@RossStClair]

Wetscapes? Being in the New Albany area. I had the same issue with one screw not catching today. Little thread tape on the screw and it caught enough to snug it up not super tight but it made me feel better.

[@jonport_]

@@RossStClair tough to say because I’m not there but sound like you made it happen👊🏻

[@kenmcalpine2215]

This is how I did mine. One has failed at the 4 year mark. Why? I believe it's because silicone is crap. It's not permanent and it sure as hell isn't for underwater applications ( as it says right on the tube). I used what was supplied with the pool. Nobody could give me a clear answer as to why not use underwater marine 4200or 5200? It would never break free. It would never fail. Everything in the design of pool fittings seems like it is designed for failure.

[@jonport_]

Did you build a pool yourself? Have you built Pools before?

[@kenmcalpine2215]

@@jonport_ First pool on my own. I did everything except dig the hole. Small leak on one return is the only issue I've had since install 4 years ago. Silicone as a bond was the only thing I questioned from manufacturer and I now regret it. Silicone is a gasket and a lubricant. It's useless for a permanent bond. I've got marine 5200 on the grate of my jetski. It's held on for 10 years and 65 mph. Still looks new. I'd really like to see better fittings and assembly for pools. Plastic cracks. Silicone fails.

[@jonport_]

@@kenmcalpine2215 yeah interesting.

[@tommyjensen6]

I would think that because pools settle, skimmers crack and will potentially need replacement.

[@Paul-jp8zz]

teaching moment? strip out the screw and just say eff it, should be ok? uh huh..

[@jonport_]

@@Paul-jp8zz it is what it is. The other screws are holding it solid. It’s obviously not ideal, but it will still never leak.

[@pcmactek]

Using silicone as a gasket is in itself, asking for trouble. I laughed when he tossed away the manufacturers gaskets. Unless he went to school for chemical engineering, manufacturing engineers, no gaskets are better material and don’t break down like silicone can. Sure glad he wasn’t installing my pool.

[@jonport_]

Its a proven system where i build. Pools last a very long time.

[@Jerbo1125]

I’ve been a mechanical contractor for 3 years and I’ve been in the trade for 20. I’m doing a pool right now and the GC told me do not use that gasket on there and I was arguing for two weeks with them before I landed the drain fitting that came with the gaskets second off the return fittings don’t come with them and I was saying to him there’s a mistake we got to get gaskets for the stuff and I did some research, they preferred silicone believe it or not believe me I was scratching my head too

[@jonport_]

@@Jerbo1125 🤷‍♂️

[@jeffp862]

Having spent my life in construction building comercial buildings and houses even putting in roads. I’ve learned engineers and architects come up with ideas. The people in the field perfect them. I can’t tell you how many engineers ideas didn’t work in the field. I personally would use marine 4200 on the fittings but that’s my preference from Being in the performance boat world for a while also. It’s designed to work below the water line for decades. But I don’t doubt the silicone works pretty darn well too On race cars w turbos especially we never use gaskets on the header flanges we use copper seal RTV, people see it and THINK it’s a hack job but it’s how the top turbo shops in the country do it because testing has proved it works.

[@jonport_]

@jeffp862 🙏🏻