FLEX PIPE FAILURE
SWOLLEN and BUCKLED SKIMMER LINE SEGMENT
PVC flexible pipe (flex line) is prone to swelling, buckling, and collapsing
when prolongedly exposed to concentrated chlorine (i.e. chlorine tabs/pucks).
Flex line can also collapse when plumbed-in as suction (vacuum) side piping
(i.e. skimmer and vac-cleaner lines, and to a lesser extent, drain lines).
SWOLLEN FLEX LINE INTERIOR
This is a typical example (resembling arteriosclerosis) of the interior of a
section of flex line (skimmer line exposed to chlorine tabs stored in the
skimmer basket). Many pool plumbers apparently splice in a section of flex line
(not externally visible) when plumbing into the skimmer--presumably to aid in
aligning the pipes coming from the filter/pump during installation. Another
reason to keep chlorine pucks/tabs out of skimmer basket involves the
preservation of the grout/finish around the skimmer mouth. Prolonged exposure to
(acidic) chlorine tabs eventually deteriorates the finish and grout adjacent to
the skimmer opening in gunite pools (and liner & caulking in vinyl and fiberglass pools respectively).