New Pool Owner

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J

JessicaL7

0
May 28, 2016
14
The Woodlands TX
We bought our home in July and knew there were issues with the pool by simply looking at the pool. The pump works great, water is clear, but there is a horizontal crack along the top just below the coping and a lot of the tile has fallen off in these areas. We maintain the pool etc but have researched and believe the coping and beam may be to blame for the horizontal crack (again, new pool owners so not very knowledgeable in this area). We basically bought the home DESPITE the pool but have grown to love it and use it a lot (Houston area). It is 40k+ gallons with an island gazebo built inside the pool, but it's very old (built in the early 80's). It definitely needs to be replastered, but even more importantly, needs repairs for the crack running alongside the top just below the coping. Plus there is only one drain which we know is a safety concern. (There is also a drain in the jacuzzi, which we have never used because we don't even know how to or if there is a heating element.. also the lighting in the pool does not work. We, of course, want to repair these issues but are sort of clueless on costs and knowledge and we don't want to get ripped off in terms of workmanship and pricing.. any advice? We recently cleaned the filter and the pump is running excellent now and pool looks great besides the structural issues, which we know will be costly.. I think because of the uncommon shape and size of the pool, we don't really know what to expect for cost. Any tips would be appreciated! I will try to post some pics of the pool if it can figure out how to.

Thanks
 
One thing's for sure Jessica, it sounds like you have a very nice pool with lots of potential. Pics? :) One step at a time though. Don't let it overwhelm you guys. In the meantime, help us by updating your signature. You can click EDIT YOUR SIGNATURE. It will help us later. Make sure to include what test kit you are using to test your water in that sig as well.

Oh ...... and welcome to TFP! :wave:
 
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Thank you both.. I will have to ask my husband about the pool info and I will update my signature;). If you zoom in on the 2nd pic, it shows the crack along the top. This is basically what it looks like all the way around the top of the pool. Also, this was taken a few days after we moved in and we had just started scrubbing the algae off the walls. It was REALLY bad along the gazebo walls. I will try to take some better pics today, this is just what I had on my phone. Thanks!
 
I really like that gazebo next to the pool like that. I can see why that is a big attraction to the house. The crack and structural/plaster issues can be resolved - if not as a DIY, then via contractor. Any discoloration in the plaster resulting from algae and/or calcium staining can be addressed once we have some pinpoint accurate testing results. That's where the TF-100 or Taylor K-2006 kits come into play. The more time you spend on the forum, reading some posts, and review the vital links in many of our sigs, you'll see a pattern of pool care that will make pool life MUCH easier for you two. Thanks for sharing the pics.
 
Jessica that is such a neat pool and area! I would have bought the house for the pool!

I am so glad you found us! You are going to love your pool now. We will be able to help you learn how to care for it using stuff bought from your local Target or Walmart (baking soda is one example!). How neat is that???

Try to take a picture of the crack while prone on the ground so it is not at as much of an angle. It will be hard so use great care and don't drop your phone/camera.

We will work your pool one issue at a time. While we are waiting on the pics of the crack lets work on getting you a good test kit. Look in my siggy for the one I like. I think it is the best bang for the buck. Once you have it you will save SO much money caring for your pool AND it will look better than ever!

:hug We will get it all figured out!

Kim:kim:
 
Thank you all so much! What a great group of people.. very refreshing! I will go take a few close up pics of the crack. I will also look into getting that kit you recommended Kim. Thank you all so much! Also, that gazebo is on an island IN the pool. It's a pain in the butt to clean because our current vacuum (came with the house) doesn't reach that far and algae is a stinker there also we have found. I think because the previous owner was in his 80's and couldn't get to the "island" to clean the walls.. there's not a bridge or steps so it's a challenge.. you have to leap across the pool basically lol
 
Jessica, I so want more pictures to see it all! I am in love!

NO bridge or walkway?? What were they thinking?? Well I have ideas to help with that and how to help keep it cleaner.

Where are all of your returns (the eyeball looking things that return the water to the pool from the filter)?

This is going to be a fun one to help on because we will be able to see your smile when things get easier and easier!

Kim:kim:
 

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Gee, I sure do love that center gazebo thing. It might a pain in the neck to work around, but it sure is different and nice. As for the crack along the waterline, well ..... it's a bit of work I suppose. I'm no masonry expert, so the others will confirm whether or not it's in the "DIY" realm or not. I suspect a plaster expert's assistance might be required since it's tied-into tile work as well. Who knows, perhaps there's a sneaky cosmetic fix to simply patch the crack and cover that tile area with something new. But the good news is that it's above the waterline, so as long as there is no water seepage from the pool into that crack, it's a cosmetic issue. Shouldn't be an emergency situation if you know what I mean. Just keep the waterline below the crack.

Thanks for sharing the great pics. You're in for a great summer. :swim:
 
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So there are 4 returns in the pool. 1st is by the entrance steps. 2nd is by the only skimmer (deep end), third is by the step (deep end), 4th is along the outside wall where the gazebo is. There are 3 in the spa also. I've included pics :)


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I am VERY glad to see that return on the back side of the gazebo. That will make thing easier in the long run.

Next question. Do all of the returns work and have good pressure? I have a couple of ideas but need a base to work from.

I am going to call in a couple of people who build pools and see what they have to say about your crack. I know what my gut says BUT don't want to tell you wrong.

Kim:kim:
 
All of the returns work in the pool, and actually, they work better than ever since my husband cleaned the pump filter cartridges and backwashed several times. I'm not sure what else he did but he's been babying it since lol. The pump is running really well also. And I'm 99.9% sure the 3 all work in the spa as well, but I'll have to ask my husband for sure..
 
At TFP, our purpose is to teach you to manage your own pool. That will involve reading and learning a lot from this website but we will all help and answer all questions.

My first suggestion would be to clean all the debris from the pool.

Let us know if you can post those results and we'll go from there.

Your other issues are easily addressed if you take them singly but to try to fix everything simultaneously may be VERY frustrating.
 
SWEET! That is awesome news. Now you get to play with your pool. Get few things that will float. I used ping pong balls. Put them in the pool at different points of the pool and watch them.

What you are looking for is the water going in a circular movement around the pool.

Did you know you can move the eyeballs inside the returns? They rotate up, down, and all around. This will help you tweak the water movement around the pool. This will help you get chlorine in that area on the back side of the island.

How are you adding chlorine?

Wait, lets back up a step. I have a couple of links for you to read over. I am going to start off small and go from there.

TFPC for Beginners

The first couple of post are the best.

This link shows you what we use in our pools. SO much cheaper than the pool store. It is the same stuff but does not have the word POOL on it so..........

Pool School - Recommended Pool Chemicals

Kim:kim:
 
kimkats said:
I am VERY glad to see that return on the back side of the gazebo. That will make thing easier in the long run.

Next question. Do all of the returns work and have good pressure? I have a couple of ideas but need a base to work from.

I am going to call in a couple of people who build pools and see what they have to say about your crack. I know what my gut says BUT don't want to tell you wrong.

Kim:kim:
Click to expand...

Thank you for all your help!![emoji4] I had found this site while researching the crack and came across the beam/coping separating issue and thought that is probably what we are facing also[emoji21] From what it sounded like, it would all need to be redone.. BUT, I'm really hoping we don't have to do all that and it can just be sealed and re-tiled![emoji120][emoji120] I don't even think we could afford the beam repair work, but I don't even know what it would cost.. just seems like it would be something ridiculously expensive.


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I don't think the bond beam is damaged. It looks as if your decking has lifted so you will need to find the source of the upward pressure. Check the surrounding areas to see if they are over saturated with water from irrigation and/or rain. Tree roots can also do a great deal of damage.

It also appears that a proper expansion joint was not put in place between the top of the bond beam and the coping which is the likely cause for the cracks and missing tiles.

That really is a beautiful pool that deserves rehab. I would love to get my hands on it!
 

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