Spiral reinforced flexible PVC is a must for installing Pool and Spa pumps. Without a somewhat flexible tubing, the turn-on and turn-off motor torque tends to break up the piping after a few years and everything starts to drip. This also acts as a vibration isolator for the motor and pump vibration and reduses the noise by reducing the square inches vibrating and radiating noise.

The 1 1/2 inch hose size spiral reinforced PVC offered here is far superior to the clear PVC with embedded nylon webbing available at the home improvement stores. The home improvement store (Lowes, Home Depot, etc.) tubing is only useful for the pump outlet, not the pump inlet. If used at the pump inlet (a suction line) the home improvement store tubing will collapse and choke off the flow. The spiral reinforced PVC tubing sold here will not collapse. The home improvement store tubing also has a relatively limited lifespan before the PVC breaks down. Finally the home improvement store tubing becomes alarmingly soft when used for spa water (101°F), this tubing doesn't.

What I don't like about the tubing offered here is that I prefer the "other version" which is sold PVC pipe sized. Piping the pump with PVC hose barbs fittings is OK, although I prefer the nylon ones which far more durable and resistant to pool chemicals, which is important because the hose barb is receiving the full pool motor "twist and snap" effort. It also important to use "all stainless" hose clamps. Many hose clamps are a stainless strap with a carbon steel screw. With chlorine vapors from the pool a carbon steel worm screw rusts away in no time.

I strongly prefer to plump pool pumps with piping sized spiral reinforced PVC using PVC unions and pipe fittings. When its time to remove or replace the pump, PVC unions open up and let the pump loose. Using the hose size stuff, you remove the hose clamps and then turn the barb to take threaded connection apart because the PVC tube has molded to the barb and taking apart the hose fitting is a championship level wrestling match.

(Posted on 5/18/12)