Believe it or not, removing a stuck pool plug is a lot easier than you’d think. Most of the time, all it takes is some wiggling, jiggling, and maybe even some cursing, but not always. Some people have even described getting a pool plug out as an “emergency procedure” on how to unclog a toilet.
What exactly is a pool plug?
Well, it’s basically the valve that controls the flow of water into and out of your pool. You have two choices here – a mechanical ball valve and a hydrostatic pool valve. A mechanical ball valve is operated by turning a knob or swiping a card through a reader. The hydrostatic pool valve is operated by sending a signal down a wire, so it can be a little more complicated to get stuck.
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Look For The Right Spigot
When you push down on the spigot, that is the signal to the hydrostatic pool valve to let water enter the pool. However, sometimes the spigot doesn’t work properly and won’t let the water flow out. Finding the right spigot for the pool can be tricky, so make sure you check the packaging carefully before buying one.
Wiggle It
When the spigot doesn’t work, the first thing you need to do is wiggle it. This is going to be frustrating if you’re not used to it, so take your time and do it right. Turn the spigot to the left, and then to the right. Give it a good jiggle, and then pull it straight back out. Sometimes this will free up the plug automatically. If this doesn’t work, then gently place one hand on the top of the spigot while turning it with the other until the plug comes out. It can be really frustrating if you have to keep doing this, so make sure you’re prepared. It’s not like unclogging a toilet – it can take some time.
Jiggle It
After you wiggle the spigot and it doesn’t come out, it’s time to jiggle it. Place one hand on the top of the spigot and give it a good jiggle. Sometimes this will free up the plug automatically. If it doesn’t work after you jiggle the spigot, then gently place one hand on the top of the spigot while turning it with the other until the plug comes free. Be careful not to lose your finger in there if it’s long – you don’t want to stick your hand down there and then find out that it’s damaged or gone missing!
Pull It
If you’re dealing with a really stuck plug, then it’s time to pull it. Gently place one hand on the top of the spigot while pulling it straight back out. This is going to be really frustrating if you have to keep pulling and it doesn’t come out. Be careful not to lose your hand in there – it’s not like unclogging a toilet, it can take some time! Once you get the hang of it, though, it’s not that bad. You’ll get the feeling that you’re unclogging a toilet after all – it just takes a little bit of practice.
Cursing
If you lose your temper and start cursing, then that is a perfect way to remove a stuck plug. Send the little fucker through the air then curse it out! You’re bound to free up the plug eventually, no matter what – you’re just wasting your time if you don’t. It can get pretty frustrating, so keep your cool and you’ll be able to get the job done right. Just make sure that you don’t push your luck and end up with a damaged spigot that you have to replace. This kind of sucks when you’re already in the middle of a relaxing day at home.
Reach For The Right Tools
You’re going to need some sort of tool to remove the plug, and it might not be the one you have with you right now. You might need a screwdriver, a pliers, or even some heavy-duty wire cutters. The tool that you choose will depend on the type of plug that you have, so be sure to bring the right ones with you. If you don’t have any of these tools with you, then it’s time to go get them. You might not want to do this near the pond or lake when you have kids around – this kind of thing should be done during the day when no one is around to see you doing it. Kids have a way of finding things. If you’re doing this at night, then be sure to take your time and do it methodically so that you don’t damage any pipes or sprinkler systems that you have in place. You don’t want to do this and then find out that you’ve ruined your home’s plumbing system because you were too impatient. This could turn out really bad – especially if you’re not prepared for it.
Check The Pipes
Sometimes it helps to check the pipes to see if they are clogged. Reach into the drainpipe near the spigot, and feel around for any obstructions. You can unclog it by either wiggling the spigot or jiggling it, so make sure that you give it a try before giving up. Sometimes it helps to flush it out with a little bit of vinegar and water – just make sure that you don’t put the vinegar in the pool itself, as this could cause damage. Checking the pipes is going to be a lot easier than trying to remove the plug manually, and it can help you figure out what is going on.
Get The Right Place Ready
This is obvious, but make sure that you have the right place ready before starting any of this. You’re going to need a surface to work on, and it should be near the spigot so that you can easily reach it when needed. There should also be room to move around, and for the tool that you’re going to use to remove the plug. If any of this is not possible, then it’s time to go find a different place to do this. You don’t want to do this near any area where there are a lot of pipes or sprinkler systems, as you don’t want to risk any damage. This could result in expensive repairs or even renovations if you’re not careful. Just because it’s easy doesn’t mean that it’s safe to do this, so always think about your surroundings and what’s nearby before starting any work. You could seriously injure yourself if you’re not careful enough.
Be Careful
Even though this seems like an easy job, it’s still not something that you should rush. Take your time, be careful, and make sure that you do everything correctly. It can’t hurt to go over these steps a few times before starting so that you’re not unsure of any of it. Make sure that you have everything before starting, and take your time removing the plug. You’ll be able to tell if any of this was done incorrectly by the condition of the spigot when it’s finished – be sure to clean up after yourself so that it looks like nothing happened. Nothing bad should happen to your home due to these steps – make sure that you follow them carefully so that this can be as painless and quick as possible. Otherwise, you’re going to have an extremely irritated pool owner on your hands.
To recap, the best way to remove a stuck pool plug is to gently wiggle it. Sometimes this will free up the plug automatically, but sometimes it takes a bit of work. If this doesn’t work and you have tools with you, then jiggle it or pull it, but make sure not to damage any pipes or plumbing during this process. If you don’t have access to any of these tools, then reach for your mouth, start cursing, and then pull it out as quickly as possible. Be careful not to put any sort of fluids down any drain pipes or pour any chemicals into the water source, as this can cause damage and/or serious sickness. Clean up after yourselves and you’ll be good to go in no time – just make sure that you don’t touch any kind of electrical components while you’re using these tools, as it could be dangerous if you do.