Hi Everyone!
Although I have had 2 different above ground pools in the past, I have been without a pool for several years now. But I'm excited to say that is about to change! I placed an offer on a house with an existing in-ground pool and my offer has been accepted! This will be my first "real" pool and I do have some concerns. I have a couple silly questions too. Let's get those out of the way first?
* Silly question #1: This pool has a drain in the bottom of the deep end. I have never had a drain to work with before. How does one open it when you want to drain some water out? Is there some sort of release? Or God forbid, do you have to dive down to it to somehow open it up? Is it likely to drain into the sewer system out in the street? Or does it drain into some sort of contained holding area sort of like a septic system? If the drain clogs, can you get it rotored out like one might do with the main sewer line out of the house?
Silly question #2: This pool has a vinyl liner and is the most common type of in ground pool I see here in Minnesota. I used to pride myself on winterizing my AGP so well that when the cover came off in the spring I was rewarded with crystal clear water and a measurable FC level! I have a closing date on the house of Nov 15, so I will have to winterize right away upon taking possession. Do I approach it the same way as I did my AGP's? Clean and shock the pool after making sure all water parameters are spot on, then drain the pool down below the skimmer level. Place the cover over the pool, then dismantle the pump and sand filter, cleaning them and lubing them as needed and then finally bringing them into the garage for the winter where they are not likely to freeze. I assume the pool need the majority of its water left in to support the walls and keep them from collapsing inward?
This house has been vacant for 2 years after I assume a foreclosure. I have written into the purchase agreement that the pool, filter and heater all need to be operational for me. There is a cover neatly folded on the concrete next to the pool. There is a diving board that is broken off in the middle! and there is a slide (are those safe enough to use or are they kinda old school and not really used anymore? Its a 1970's looking slide that is fairly tall and curved. It doesn't appear to have jets on it to keep it wet. The investor who owns the house right now has agreed to be certain that its all operational, and the new liner he installed with have its warranty transferred to me. What else might I want to check out or ask about before closing on this deal? I know some of you have gotten pools under similar circumstances. What would you do differently if you had it to do over?
I've gotten amazing advice from you all over the years! Thank you in advance for all the new advice I'm going to be asking in the weeks to come!
I know I can do this with you guys behind me...
Although I have had 2 different above ground pools in the past, I have been without a pool for several years now. But I'm excited to say that is about to change! I placed an offer on a house with an existing in-ground pool and my offer has been accepted! This will be my first "real" pool and I do have some concerns. I have a couple silly questions too. Let's get those out of the way first?
* Silly question #1: This pool has a drain in the bottom of the deep end. I have never had a drain to work with before. How does one open it when you want to drain some water out? Is there some sort of release? Or God forbid, do you have to dive down to it to somehow open it up? Is it likely to drain into the sewer system out in the street? Or does it drain into some sort of contained holding area sort of like a septic system? If the drain clogs, can you get it rotored out like one might do with the main sewer line out of the house?
Silly question #2: This pool has a vinyl liner and is the most common type of in ground pool I see here in Minnesota. I used to pride myself on winterizing my AGP so well that when the cover came off in the spring I was rewarded with crystal clear water and a measurable FC level! I have a closing date on the house of Nov 15, so I will have to winterize right away upon taking possession. Do I approach it the same way as I did my AGP's? Clean and shock the pool after making sure all water parameters are spot on, then drain the pool down below the skimmer level. Place the cover over the pool, then dismantle the pump and sand filter, cleaning them and lubing them as needed and then finally bringing them into the garage for the winter where they are not likely to freeze. I assume the pool need the majority of its water left in to support the walls and keep them from collapsing inward?
This house has been vacant for 2 years after I assume a foreclosure. I have written into the purchase agreement that the pool, filter and heater all need to be operational for me. There is a cover neatly folded on the concrete next to the pool. There is a diving board that is broken off in the middle! and there is a slide (are those safe enough to use or are they kinda old school and not really used anymore? Its a 1970's looking slide that is fairly tall and curved. It doesn't appear to have jets on it to keep it wet. The investor who owns the house right now has agreed to be certain that its all operational, and the new liner he installed with have its warranty transferred to me. What else might I want to check out or ask about before closing on this deal? I know some of you have gotten pools under similar circumstances. What would you do differently if you had it to do over?
I've gotten amazing advice from you all over the years! Thank you in advance for all the new advice I'm going to be asking in the weeks to come!
I know I can do this with you guys behind me... 
