Being a new pool owner, we had a local pool company both open and close our pool last year. I'm ready to try my hand at this but have some questions.
1. We're going to be replacing the sand filter and adding a SWG this year. At first, thought it would be easier to do this before opening the pool, now not sure we can coordinate nor if it's a big deal to do before opening. It's my understanding that we will need to bring the water into a certain amount of balance before we fire up the SWG anyway - so wondered if we might as well go ahead and open and start bringing the water into balance and adding the salt and when it fits our schedule better, get the replacement filter and new SWG installed shortly after?
2. The company that closed the pool used anti-freeze (it was either rv or pool antifreeze - which I understand to be the same) in the lines - I would assume I should pump this out and bypass the filter in doing so. We don't really have a good setup to drain anywhere other than our yard. I know that regular antifreeze is poisonous to dogs - and we've got two and the neighbors have a couple. What's the best way to deal with this? Is this type of antifreeze not as big a worry? I don't know if there was antifreeze in the lines when opened last year - so I didn't know enough to be worried about this.
3. When the pool people opened the pool last year - first experience with a home pool for me - and I may be remembering incorrectly - but I sure don't remember them filling the sand filter with water before firing everything up. Am I confused about this? Did they fill it in a way that I wouldn't have noticed or realized (very possible given it was all greek to me at that point!)?
4. Didn't realize it at the time, but after reading here I see that the pucks aren't the first choice for chlorinating a pool. The system on this pool has the auto-chlorinator that holds the pucks so that's what I did all last year. I'm sure I didn't do a perfect job on the water - but we did have pretty, clear water all year and no issues that I was aware of (that may be the key! I will be ordering a TF-100 kit for this year!) - but wasn't sure if I could use that system to help start the system up before we move to SWG. I'm still reading and understanding all the chemistry so that may become more obvious as I read more.
Thanks for any help! I'm sure I'll be back with more questions...
1. We're going to be replacing the sand filter and adding a SWG this year. At first, thought it would be easier to do this before opening the pool, now not sure we can coordinate nor if it's a big deal to do before opening. It's my understanding that we will need to bring the water into a certain amount of balance before we fire up the SWG anyway - so wondered if we might as well go ahead and open and start bringing the water into balance and adding the salt and when it fits our schedule better, get the replacement filter and new SWG installed shortly after?
2. The company that closed the pool used anti-freeze (it was either rv or pool antifreeze - which I understand to be the same) in the lines - I would assume I should pump this out and bypass the filter in doing so. We don't really have a good setup to drain anywhere other than our yard. I know that regular antifreeze is poisonous to dogs - and we've got two and the neighbors have a couple. What's the best way to deal with this? Is this type of antifreeze not as big a worry? I don't know if there was antifreeze in the lines when opened last year - so I didn't know enough to be worried about this.
3. When the pool people opened the pool last year - first experience with a home pool for me - and I may be remembering incorrectly - but I sure don't remember them filling the sand filter with water before firing everything up. Am I confused about this? Did they fill it in a way that I wouldn't have noticed or realized (very possible given it was all greek to me at that point!)?
4. Didn't realize it at the time, but after reading here I see that the pucks aren't the first choice for chlorinating a pool. The system on this pool has the auto-chlorinator that holds the pucks so that's what I did all last year. I'm sure I didn't do a perfect job on the water - but we did have pretty, clear water all year and no issues that I was aware of (that may be the key! I will be ordering a TF-100 kit for this year!) - but wasn't sure if I could use that system to help start the system up before we move to SWG. I'm still reading and understanding all the chemistry so that may become more obvious as I read more.
Thanks for any help! I'm sure I'll be back with more questions...
