Hi everyone,

I'm faced with a local health department that is requiring VGBA compliant skimmer equalizer covers. I've looked at the Pentair and Waterway covers so far and it looks like I'll need to chip the plaster away to expose the plumbing for the new cover.

Just wondering, who has installed some of these equalizer covers? What can you add about them? Tools used? Tips? Things to avoid? Etc....

I'd appreciate some good thoughts. Cheers!

Loren Whitney
Wilmington Pool Service

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Replies

  • Installing an approved drain cover on the wall is a good idea and a quick solution but as stated the surface must be flat.
    I've used the mud/plaster ring assembly and the drain covers from Drainsafe. With this model the cover, on a flat wall, sits flush. Other manufacturers mud/plaster rings stick out from the wall and the whole assembly is raised off the surface. I feel this is a bit unsafe as someone could "hang" on the edge and possibly puul it away from the wall if not properly secured.

    The mud/plaster rings are really to be used when plastering or re-plastering to raise a main drain sump. Therefore the edge is designed to have plaster up to the edge.

    Drainsafe also offers the DS 360M with a DS-Aa self sealing masonry anchor kit. This may be the best bet for your application.
  • MAKE SURE THE SURFACE IS FLAT!!!

    I actually went out to an apartment spa, and saw an SDX Retro cover installed on the side of the bench with a HUGE gap between the bottom of the cover, and the finish surface of the plaster... AND this installation had just PASSED inspection by the local Healt Dpt. I called them to voice my concern, and after they re-inspected, they admitted that they had dropped the ball. The installer came back out to fix it, but the fix is "cheasy" to say the least.

    Kevin Poe said:
    You could install the Paramount SDX cover with the adapter plate over the pipe if you have a flat enough surface. Three holes drilled in the wall, three shields installed and a few screws and you are out the door.
  • There are a number of fittings available including the SDX. Most of the fittings I have experience with are the aquastar including some very nice retro fit fittings.
  • Thanks for that Kevin, I had not run across that fitting yet." Slick"

    Kevin Poe said:
    You could install the Paramount SDX cover with the adapter plate over the pipe if you have a flat enough surface. Three holes drilled in the wall, three shields installed and a few screws and you are out the door.
    Who has installed a VGBA skimmer equalizer cover?
    Hi everyone, I'm faced with a local health department that is requiring VGBA compliant skimmer equalizer covers. I've looked at the Pentair and Water…
  • You could install the Paramount SDX cover with the adapter plate over the pipe if you have a flat enough surface. Three holes drilled in the wall, three shields installed and a few screws and you are out the door.
  • That is what it looks like yes. The current equalizers do not have plumbing coming all the way to the edge of the plaster. There is a recessed 4" inlet that reduces down to 2". The inlet has internals threads on two sides for the current cover. Does this sound common?

    It would take a lot of chipping to expose the pipe. I'd image that would be pretty deep into the wall as well...

    Any thoughts?
  • Loren
    Aquastar makes a skimmer equalizer/suction outlet.
    Sounds like your are still faced with chipping out plaster and even part of the wall to glue the fitting onto the pipe.

    I would suggest not to alter any of these equalizer fittings just for the sake of "passing" as you may open yourself up to liablity. Install them as they come out of the box. Even if it means a little demo work. I think your customer will understand. If they don't, walk away.
    As the saying goes, "Better safe than sorry"
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