Whaddyado?

This past week I've been reorganizing my pool pump house. By that I mean, when my main pump sprung a leak (the shaft seal was leaking), instead of waiting for it to destroy the front bearing on the motor, like I did last time, I pulled the pump out and promptly ordered a new seal and diffuser and housing o-rings.

While I had the main pump out, I decided this would be an ideal time to reposition the main pump and the waterfall pump, putting both up on concrete blocks so they're not sitting on the floor in potential puddles of water.

I also added a couple of valves that were missing from the original installation - so I could remove the main pump without going through the gyrations I had to do previously to remove it.

The other thing I decided to do was to essentially re-orient the outfall from each pump so that if I disconnect the pump, water in the pipe doesn't run all over the top of the pump. I installed an elbow with a short (4 or 5") length of pipe so the union, when separated drains to the side of the pump.

So far in the process, I've successfully re-done the waterfall pump. Everything with it works fine with no leaks. No problems there at all.

I've redone the main pump as well, with the two additional valves in place. The valves work fine with no leakage either.

Incidentally, I also took the opportunity to fix a couple small leaks at the connections for the filter. Those leaks are stopped now too.

The remaining problem is the main pump outfall union. I've used three different o-rings and the union still leaks.

I am having a problem here with getting o-rings of exactly the right diameter and thickness. But, you work with what you have as much as possible. I've stretched the o-rings so they fit into the groove, tightened up the union, and still have leakage.

I'm pretty sure the surfaces of the union that join together where the o-ring fits, are meeting flat - as flat as any of the other unions I have in the pump house. It's not exact, but you get it as close as you can. With gluing PVC parts together, sometimes 'close' is as good as it gets.

So... I have this leak. This morning, I'm going to try a really thick o-ring. If I can stretch it enough so that it fits in the groove, maybe that'll solve the problem. If it still leaks,

I'm looking for ideas. Anybody have any? I'm willing to consider anything - voodoo, incantations, burning incense, a bigger hammer, better curse words... anything!

Now the Fun Begins

That's according to Dianna. Everything up to this point was necessary drudgery just to get to the finishing and decorating part. I guess tiling of the floors and shower was actually part of this part of the project.

Today, I had to zoom into town to get some silicone grease for a replacement O-ring for the chlorine tablet tower for the pool. The old O-ring was badly affected by the chlorine fumes that accumulated under the tower lid. What I ended up getting was a silicone lubricant in a spritz bottle - no one had silicone grease. From what I've read online, replacing the O-ring may be an annual affair. Well, now that I know where to get the O-rings, it's an easy fix.

Along with getting the silicone lube, I also picked up 5-gallons of white, latex exterior concrete primer, a couple of rollers, trays, and brushes.

Priming Bedroom #1

Right after I got back with the goods, the guys got to work painting both bedrooms. It'll take about 2-gallons per bedroom.

Priming Bedroom #2

Man. priming really brightens up each room. I can't wait till we get all of the place primed - inside and out. Then the final colors go on. That'll be neat.

One other thing happened today. Mayo cast the septic tank hatch yesterday. When he went to lift it out to remove the form, guess what? It was stuck. It seemed that some concrete had oozed under the form and prevented an easy lift.

He rigged up a pole with wire looped several times around it and the hatch handle, but no go. I came in and tried to help. That didn't do it either. We called in Cody and before we tried our massive, combined strength, I had the bright idea of trying my hydraulic jack from the Isuzu. We put it under the pole and cranked - slowly. All of a sudden, POP! The hatch broke free and just the little bit of concrete broke from the hatch.

After that, Mayo finished tiling the hatch and that pretty much finished the construction-type work in the guesthouse.

Access Hatch In Stealth Mode

There's still a little grout to be applied to the hatch, but what an outstanding job.