I have a pool filter with a cracked internal part, probably from my rocking the filters back and forth to remove them over the years. I won’t do that anymore. But I’m trying to repair rather than replace this large cartridge filter enclosure.
I first noted that debris was getting through the filter system in spite of intact filters. The cracks were a few inches long and there was no missing plastic but the water pressure keeps the crack open. BTW, pressure is positive from the top side as seen with respect to the inside of the cracked piece.
I initially repaired it with a plastic ‘welding kit’ and applied copious amounts of the plastic welding rods to both sides and over the crack. The welding sticks are probably some sort of HDPE ( the black material seen through the clear plastic layer) while I suspect the filter is polypropylene or even something more rigid. It did not melt well. but I managed to get it to mix just a bit with the HDPE sticks. Then I ‘welded’ a piece of clear type 5 (PP) plastic over the top. This worked for about a week before debris again began to flow through the filter system.
On inspection, as noted in the pics, the edge of the clear plastic did not seal well and is freely lifted just a bit away from the filter. And since it does leak, the underlying layer must also be broken.
So I’m thinking about doing the following.
Make about a 1 cm a ‘dam’ out of epoxy putty around the entire area shown in green. Then score the filter material with a dremel for better bonding.
Pour some sort of marine epoxy into the dammed area and let cure.
Replacement of the part would be expensive, not to mention a pain.
Might not work but I’ll try something.
Questions -
Any thoughts on this approach?
Ideas for a good resin or other material that can cure in less than a day or so?
Good source for a good resin that I can get in a day or so before my pool turns green? ( I did just hyper chlorinate it) Can’t stand the lousy pool but I got to take care of it. Came with the house.