New Pool IG - Inland Empire, CA - Pool finished, end pix soon!

Jump to latest Follow Reply
Re: New Pool IG - Inland Empire, CA - 10/22 Pool overfilled and plaster cracks! Help!

the small cracks are normal I think (surface checking). The valve was probably set to pull from the spa drains until you switched it. Normally that valve would bet set to pull from the pool drains/skimmer unless you were running in spa mode in which case the return would also bet set to return to the spa at the same time. This should be fine and you should be able to open the pump top when without a flood when the suction valve is set to pool drains (assuming your pool water level isn't higher than your equipment)
 
Re: New Pool IG - Inland Empire, CA - 10/22 Pool overfilled and plaster cracks! Help!

The spa water level is 4ft higher than the pool level, equipment is at the same ground elevation as the pool coping...

Edit- For reference-
PA220428-1.jpg

Taken from atop the wall just now.
 
Re: New Pool IG - Inland Empire, CA - 10/22 Spa returns clogged and NO PB chem traini

Looooong story short... all the equipment is up and running... I've been shown how to run it all (boy, creating a user friendly guide for this wont be easy) but the spa returns are clogged... and very little if any flow comes out of the jets. The start up guy made a call to the PB...

Lastly, the start up guy gave no advice on chemicals or anything about the water WHATSOEVER... the only thing in the water right now is 'The Magenta Stuff'... I'm going to read up on chem start up real quick... and rush over to get some chemicals... I figured I had at least a couple days... and of course would have the basics explained to me.
 
Re: New Pool IG - Inland Empire, CA - 10/22 Spa returns clogged and NO PB chem traini

Ran a 5gal bucket test, averaged out the times, came to the pool being filled with 11,402 gallons. At first I figured it must be off, as the PB has us listed down for 28,000 gallons... then I looked online with pool calculators... and using 15x30', 3.5-6' depth I got back- Rectangular- 16,000, 16,030, 15,988.5, Oblong (peanut)- 13,947, Obround- 12,612. Considering that our pool has a baja reef, a few seats, and the spa, while included in my measurement, is fairly small when it comes to gallons (only took a bit to fill)...

I'm more convinced in my estimation of 11,402 gallons than her 28,000...
 
Re: New Pool IG - Inland Empire, CA - 10/22 Spa returns clogged and NO PB chem traini

Test for ph right away. Our PB did the same thing (shot me an email and said to keep ph and alkalinity in check without any chemicals or info on how to do that). Get to the hardware store and buy some muriatic acid. Buy at least 4 gallons for now. Keep the PH below 8. We waited a week to go to pool school and get the proper chemicals and ended up with discoloration on our finish.
 
Re: New Pool IG - Inland Empire, CA - 10/22 Spa returns clogged and NO PB chem traini

In reference to the cracks in the spa..... the plaster surface may have dried out too quickly do to them not filling the spa up first - or at the same time as the pool (2 hoses - 1 in pool other in spa). If it's been hot/warm and the Santa Ana winds have been blowing (low humidity), that might be the cause. In any case, it's on the plasters or PB - as that's how they decided to fill it and you were just following instructions.

AS for chemicals - did the startup guy or anyone else mention their intended start up procedure? Hot start? Bi-carb start? Anything?
 
Re: New Pool IG - Inland Empire, CA - 10/22 Spa returns clogged and NO PB chem traini

Nope, not a single thing involving start up procedure. He was finished and asked if we had any more questions... and I kinda went "Um, chemicals?" he looked at me and went "Yeah?"... he mentioned acid and chlorine and that we should brush... and that was it. He went on his way. So I've been following the acid start up and have been adding muriatic acid... will see what the pH is tomorrow morning. I've been brushing and running the pump a bit (which I still think is having issues).

About the cracks... we'll be emailing and phoning the PB tomorrow... I'm... a bit concerned being this build has had so many downs etc... they have their last check... I hope he keeps to his word of "We want to make sure you're happy". We even asked about adding a hose to the spa and they said no... so... yeah.

(Frankly... I'm beside myself... here, at the end of all things of honestly a horrific build (which honestly has turned out beautiful, no denying it), nothing else could go wrong right?... and all heck has broken loose. The filling situation, the plaster cracks, the clogged spa returns, the misshapen vertical descent, the (apparently per discussion elsewhere) high psi in the filter system, the 'good luck!' chemical start up, and frankly the 'care free' and confusing equipment intro... I mean yeah, the pool is BEAUTIFUL, and I'm so looking forward to swimming in it... but today did NOT go as I imagined.)
 
Re: New Pool IG - Inland Empire, CA - 10/22 Spa returns clogged and NO PB chem traini

How long after adding muriatic acid should I check the pH again? an hour?

Also the pump isn't taking in any debris in the pool (leaves on the bottom, dirt, gravel) even though I push it right toward the intakes... I have the skimmer set to 100% intake and not skimmer. Should they be taking in debris?
 

Enjoying this content?

Support TFP with a donation.

Give Support
Re: New Pool IG - Inland Empire, CA - 10/22 Spa returns clogged and NO PB chem traini

You can check as soon as 15 mins or so with the pump on full speed.

When you say "intake" do you mean the drain on the bottom of the pool? We call that the main drain (not sure why but....)

Kim
 
Re: New Pool IG - Inland Empire, CA - 10/22 Spa returns clogged and NO PB chem traini

My main drains don't suck in debris, just water (maybe some microscopic schmutz?) because of the small holes in the required VGB covers. I'm sure yours are similar.

The skimmer will get leaves early while still floating on the surface, but a robot or cleaner or manually vacuuming will get the larger stuff at the bottom.
 
Re: New Pool IG - Inland Empire, CA - 10/22 Spa returns clogged and NO PB chem traini

I'll look into a vacuum brush and some tubing tomorrow.

Can't do a 3rd brushing tonight, there's thunder and lightning about. Rare for us! Probably only the 3rd time we've seen T and L this year.
 
Re: New Pool IG - Inland Empire, CA - Pool finished, please HELP me with my startup

OK! While the PB startup guy didn't mention anything about any startup procedures, he did mention acid, chlorine, so I went with the acid start up. He also said we could jump in by today (didn't because, oddly enough it RAINED) and a vacuum brush to hook into the skimmer.

- As of tonight, I've added 5 gallons of acid, and the pool is sitting pretty finally at 7.2pH. So, I should be keeping an eye on it and keeping it there, should I go lower?
- I'll check the pH once a day now?
- I've been brushing 2-3 times a day and keeping the plaster dust in solution... the pool is noticeably more clear tonight than it was yesterday.
- There is still dirt and leaves on the bottom of the pool, the start up guy said to use a brush-vacuum (with NO rollers). This cool? (the start up page says not to use one)
- So, next week, once all clear etc. and no more dust, then I add liquid chlorine right?

I may be a wreck, but we'll get through this...
 
Re: New Pool IG - Inland Empire, CA - Pool finished, please HELP me with my startup

None whatsoever, the plasterers put a hose in the pool, turned it on, gave us a bottle and said to add "The Magenta Stuff" to it once the water reached the baja reef. That's the extent of actual instructions we've received from the PB.

I'll post some numbers of everything tomorrow morning (have only been testing pH as of now).
 
Re: New Pool IG - Inland Empire, CA - Pool finished, please HELP me with my startup

You can and should use something like this:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/11.25-Swimming-Pool-Weighted-Liner-Butterfly-Vacuum-Head-with-Bumper/44917683

It has bristles on the bottom and NO wheels so it is kinda like brushing the pool.

It is very easy to use. You might have to get a skimmer plate like this:

skimmer plate pool - Google Search

A, B, C are like what I have.

Main drain-I was SO excited to have main drain in my pool. Oh boy it will suck up all the stuff as it goes to it and I will not have to vacuum except to get the larger stuff out! NOT :( I can even hold a leaf over it and it does not even hold it there. So nope your main drain will hot really help you clean the pool. It IS good in helping the water circulate in the pool and to mix the cooler bottom water with the warmer top water.

Kim:kim:
 
Re: New Pool IG - Inland Empire, CA - Pool finished, please HELP me with my startup

kimkats said:
You can and should use something like this:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/11.25-Sw...er-Butterfly-Vacuum-Head-with-Bumper/44917683

It has bristles on the bottom and NO wheels so it is kinda like brushing the pool.

It is very easy to use. You might have to get a skimmer plate like this:

skimmer plate pool - Google Search

A, B, C are like what I have.

Main drain-I was SO excited to have main drain in my pool. Oh boy it will suck up all the stuff as it goes to it and I will not have to vacuum except to get the larger stuff out! NOT :( I can even hold a leaf over it and it does not even hold it there. So nope your main drain will hot really help you clean the pool. It IS good in helping the water circulate in the pool and to mix the cooler bottom water with the warmer top water.

Kim:kim:
Click to expand...

Kim,

How is your valving adjusted? Many have their valves set to heavily favor the skimmer action so the main drain doesn't pull much, as you are seeing in your pool. I can walk over and turn the valves so 90 percent of the suction side is coming from the main drain when I sweep. Then I put it back to "normal" skimmer-duty position when done. You pool may be plumbed differently.

Eric
 
Re: New Pool IG - Inland Empire, CA - Pool finished, please HELP me with my startup

BigEinAZ said:
Kim,

How is your valving adjusted? Many have their valves set to heavily favor the skimmer action so the main drain doesn't pull much, as you are seeing in your pool. I can walk over and turn the valves so 90 percent of the suction side is coming from the main drain when I sweep. Then I put it back to "normal" skimmer-duty position when done. You pool may be plumbed differently.

Eric
Click to expand...

For everyday life I have the main drain set to 50% and skimmer set to 100% (they each have their own valves). When I vacuum I close the main drain and have the skimmer set on 100% AND set the pump on high (I have a two speed).

BUT even if I have the main drain set at 100% and skimmer at 0% I do not see much "action" from the main drain for some reason.

Kim:kim:
 

Enjoying this content?

Support TFP with a donation.

Give Support
You must log in or register to reply here.
Thread Status
Hello , This thread has been inactive for over 60 days. New postings here are unlikely to be seen or responded to by other members. For better visibility, consider Starting A New Thread.
Top Bottom
Back
Jump to latest Follow Reply