I have a blockage in one of my under ground pool pipes, how can I unblock it?

Question

I have tried the hose it doesnt go past the elbow joints in the pipe line, even after softening the hose. and I have tried the hose from both ends. I have tried the hose with the water both on and off. Thanks

Answer 1

Have you tried a plumbing snake?

Answer 2

the best thing to use is a water-jetter...it will shoot high pressure water out of the tip in about 5 different directions to clear the block and to clean the walls at the same time...they can be rented at Ace hardware of from most drain cleaning buisnesses...

Answer 3

Assuming that it is the suction line

To unblock the pipe you need to force the thing blocking the pipe back to where it came from.

A garden hose may give you enough water flow to unblock the pipe, if you can manage to seal the hose going into the pipe at the pump end. A rag wrapped around the hose, and pushed in to the pipe may do it. (Pool guys have special bits and pieces to do this.)  Leave the water running thru the pipe for 30 seconds minimum, and have someone at the skimmer box end to catch or spot anything coming out.

(If the water run back out of the pipe freely, when you have the garden hose on, but wont pump ANYTHING when the pump is on - then it may not be a blockage, but an air leak in the line.)

If you have something really wedged in the pipe, then you really need a second pump to suck the blockage out thru skimmer box. Not something that you have laying around the house - you'll be best off calling a pool service in.

Answer 4

I agree with poolguy,  I'm also assuming it's a suction(supply) to the filter line, and something got trapped inside at an elbow.  You definitely don't want to force the blockage towards the pump/motor-filter. THAT'S WHY IT GOT STUCK. Do you have turn off valves (BALL-VALVES) on each line? supply and return? If you do great...  ( If forcing water down the line isn't working) as you say, I would be very leary of forcing High Pressure  anything down the line,.. you really don't want to risk blowing open a fitting under ground ...Try this....how about taking your vacuum hose... insert it into the blocked skimmer line and attach a wet /dry Shop/Vac .. seal the end up with duct tape (make sure you have that line closed off with the ball-valve so you can maintain good suction).. Maybe you'll get lucky

Answer 5

i own a pool company and what you need to do is go to a pool store and tell them you need a  water jet bag to unclog your lines it will cost you about 40.00 dollars then you shove it in your nearest skimmer to your pump . turn on water full blast with pump running.if you have any more question email me at jldailey [e-mail]

Answer 6

poolman has the correct idea its also called a drain jet available at a hardware store it fits on your water hose....if that is not enough,you can use the same device with a CO2 tank which provides more pressure most poolmen have a CO2 tank for this purpose....sometimes using ice helps too