Repairing broken sand filter laterals. Replacing a snapped centre stem pipe

[@petegottfried5476]

Thanks for posting this! My tube cracked and split so I cut off the bad and glued in a coupler and a new piece. Stronger than original.

[@scootervan05]

Just had the exact same issue. Don’t heat the pipe. I used an awl- tapped it between the pipe and the housing. The pipe split away from the housing very easily. 1 minute job.

[@Marksreviewsandtutorials]

The problem with this suggested method is the plastics are equal and either may crack. By heating you weaken the one you want to remove. Heating also reduces the chances of cracking the piece you want to keep.

[@ralphgardner6284]

I have a very old sand filter, maybe late 1970’s. My stack pipe is cracked at the top end where it enters the valve, but the bottom that was down in the sand seems to be good and strong. I plan to cutoff the cracked pipe and join a new piece of 1-1/2” schedule 40 pvc. Still looking to make sure diameters work right but it looks good by comparison. I will either use a pvc coupler and glue or also considering one of those neoprene furco fasteners

[@Marksreviewsandtutorials]

Ralph Gardner The new pipe and 40mm or 1 1/2 pvc pipe and joiner should be fine. Just don’t do it to close to the top, leave room for the valve to slip over the pipe.

[@ionpulse7100]

I used a small blade to open a small incision between the pipe and the frame and used a thin flat head screwdriver to break apart the pipe. Squeeze and turn slowly towards the inside and it will break. Go to the store and get a replacememt pipe after.

[@ionpulse7100]

once the flat screwdriver is inserted verrically between the pipe and frsmd just hit the top of screwdrivdf lighty to break it apart and then wiggle it.

[@danforster9518]

This happened to me just yesterday. I carefully removed the remnants of the old centre pipe with my dremmel and a new 1 1/2 “ pipe was cut to length and fitted perfectly, a nice snug push fit. All working again. Be REALLY careful with your not to do any damage when removing the old pipe. The plastic parts become brittle with time...

[@Marksreviewsandtutorials]

Well done. MRT

[@Fedgov]

What kind of glue did you use? I did the same thing today,! Darn it

[@Fedgov]

And where did you find pipe? Just regular PVC?

[@starshinemaintenance5717]

Where did you get PVC ? is it just regular 11/2 inch PVC?

[@istvanbartha7985]

Use a soup ladle to take out the old sand, works like a charm!

[@Marksreviewsandtutorials]

Istvan Bartha Wow you must be a very very patient man with lots of time on your hands. 😆

[@dawhoda1]

By the time you're done the swimming season will be too🏊‍♂️

[@caddylover3510]

just had this happen to my filter. Pulled out the laterals and pipe and it was cracked all the way down and then broke off half way. I have some white central vac PVC laying around that i was going to use but the outside diameter is a bit thicker. I have some ABS but the inner wall is thicker so not sure if it will restrict flow or not. How is yours working with the ABS?

[@Marksreviewsandtutorials]

A little bit of wall thickness difference is fine. Because this is such a crustal part I would want to make sure that the pipe you are using is t brittle and that it does fit well. MRT

[@joehasan5383]

What sort of glue did you use or would be recommended?

[@Marksreviewsandtutorials]

Hi Jo Officially my answer needs to be find out what type of plastic ie either PVC or ABS and then use the correct glue. But the truth is that PVC pressure pipe glue will work fine

[@casst346]

in your lateral assembly just as mine, there is an extra little hole..on mine there is another thin tube put into that hole opening..what is this extra tube with a tiny filter on the top used for? when i installed a new lateral assembly, i did not add that smaller thin tube back..

[@Marksreviewsandtutorials]

mach smith Hi there. The extra little pipe is an air bleed system. It gets the air out of the filter much quicker. As long as your pump has enough power most systems can also expel most air by themselves

[@casst346]

excellent thanks! yes, i have a 1.5 hp hayward pump...i see its an air release system..

[@Marksreviewsandtutorials]

mach smith 👍🏼

[@amenanball9184]

How much should a repair like this cost? This happened to my mom's pool filter system and the pool guy quoted them thousands of dollars

[@Marksreviewsandtutorials]

Sorry I didn’t see this sooner. No not thousands of dollars. But yes it will cost as the sand has to be pumped out for the repair. Nillumbik Pool & Spa Service