Swimming pool equipment such as the pump, heater, and filter may be made of threaded ports that require threaded fittings to complete the connection. Depending on the configuration of the equipment, you may be required to make a few threaded connections when installing them. Threaded connections are susceptible to leaks which can reduce the efficiency of pool equipment. If you choose to install or replace threaded pipe connections on your own, it is worth having the following ideas to ensure that you achieve efficient and durable connections.

Use the right sealant

Pipe thread sealants are used to prevent leaks around threaded connections. There are several types of sealant on the market, but not all are suitable for swimming pool equipment. If your equipment is made of plastic, which is the most commonly used material, you will need a thread sealant that will be compatible with this material. As such avoid sealants that have petroleum products in their composition, as these tend to degrade plastic over time. A good sealant that you can use is thread seal tape, which also acts as a lubricant for easier connections.

Don't seal leaking connections

Applying sealant to a leaking threaded connection will not stop the leak. To avoid wasting your sealant with not fruitful results, always disconnect the fittings and rethread them before applying the sealant. Also, you may have to remove the current sealant for easy and effective reconnection and application of the new sealant. Generally, sealants that are applied in the form of a paste should be removed before reconnection. However, tape sealants can be reused during the reconnection and still combat leaks.

Wrap seal tape correctly

As aforementioned, thread seal tape is one of the best sealants for pool thread connections where the equipment are usually made of PVC. However, for the sealant to work efficiently, you need to wrap in the right direction. Since the sealant is usually wrapped around the male adapter, ensure that you wrap it in the opposite direction from which the adapter is turning. The sealant will be able to wrap tightly around the adapter and prevent any leaks after the connection.

Don't over-tighten connections

Over-tightening threaded connections can cause cracks on the pipe, and this may frustrate your efforts to install swimming pool equipment. As long as you are making use of the right sealant, you don't need your connections to be incredibly tight to prevent leaks. You should be especially careful of this when using a tool such as a pipe wrench as it is easy to apply unnecessary force to the plastic. A reasonable amount of pressure will be enough to create a leak-free connection.

Utilize these tips when making thread connections on swimming pool equipment. Hire a qualified contractor if you are unable to achieve leak-free connections.

Share