Raypak External Manifold / Union Leak

Water leaking from plumbing connections at the heater inlet or outlet.

Advertisements

Possible Causes

Loose PVC union nuts, Worn or flattened union O‑rings, Improperly glued PVC fittings, Thermal expansion stress on plumbing

How to Fix / Troubleshooting

Safety first: Turn off pump and relieve pressure at the filter before loosening any unions.

Steps to fix external leaks:

  • Tighten unions: Hand‑tighten the inlet and outlet union nuts. Do not overtighten with tools, which can crack fittings.
  • Inspect O‑rings: Disassemble unions and inspect O‑rings for cracks or flattening. Replace with Raypak‑compatible O‑rings and lubricate lightly with silicone pool lube.
  • Check glued joints: Inspect nearby PVC elbows and couplings for hairline cracks or poor glue joints. Cut out and re‑plumb if necessary.
  • Support piping: Add pipe supports or hangers to reduce stress on the heater headers.

Note: Always allow PVC glue joints to cure fully before restarting the system.

Advertisements

Repair Difficulty

Easy 2/5

Required Part

Header Union O‑Ring
Check Price on Amazon

We may earn a commission from links on this page.

Advertisements