Recent content by Clyde

Hi. I live in a fairly expensive part of Connecticut. Again, this year I had the pool guy close my pool. The cost for the "close" was around $425, which, I suppose is not bad. But the he tacked on chemicals, tax, etc., and the price jumped to $721!! Now I realize the the pool guy has kids to...

Hello. Per my signature line, I have a Pentair cartridge filter (hopefully you know what I mean...one of those big black ones). I think there is a way to lower the water level in the pool using it, but I am not sure how. Right now I just use a sump pump, which takes forever to lower the water...

Hello. I usually have the pool guy open and close my pool. I maintain the water myself, though. I pay a pretty penny for the opening and closing. I don't recall exactly, but it's something like $700 to close the pool. Anyway, when he opened the pool this year, there were a lot of brown...

No, not Murphy. - - - Updated - - - thanks for the info. I had trouble posting pictures the other day, but let me try to take some of the pad.

Hello. I live in CT and this is my third season with my gunite inground pool. The details of the pool are in my signature line below. The pool guy opens and closes my pool, and I take care of the weekly maintenance. For the closing, it cost me $718.70, made up of the following: Winterize...

Hello. I always use chlorine bleach in my pool, but twice a year when I am on vacation, in an abundance of caution, I use those dastardly chlorine pucks. I recently bought the smallest tub I could find (don't even remember the size), but I estimate that it will take me a few years to get...

Hi. I noticed that the chemicals in my Taylor test kit generally last around 2 years (per the expiration date). I am fine for this year (as well as last), but it looks like for the 2018 season (next year), many of my chemicals in the kit will be expired. What do people typically do and what...

Hi. I haven't put any well water in since last year. The only pool store chemicals is us is a cap of Metal Free. Any thoughts?

Hi. Just noticed some light orange-ish staining on the plaster, just below the water line. Any ideas what it is and how to fix? Thanks.

Hello. Is there any difference between store-brand bleach and good, old-fashioned Clorox? Is the quality the same? Is the only difference the price? I assume it is, but wanted to make sure. Thoughts?

Hello. Due to my CYA level, the pool math calculator says I need to keep my FC around 9. If I am going on vacation for a week and know how much cholorine I lose per day, is there any risk to boosting the chlorine to a crazy high level with bleach like I typically use (let's say 20 or 25) so...

Different perspective, from the lower patio.

Interesting. I should also say the pool is raised up and you need to go up four stone steps (basically flat boulders). As such, there is a "lower patio" off of the house. Having anything raised in that mulch area would block the view of the pool. Hope this makes sense.

That's what I meant by skimmer basket. Was not sure what it was called.