Pool School Questions to ask

[Trele6]

Is there a comprehensive list of questions one should ask during their initial pool school?

I will have mine in the next week or so and would like to be fully prepared.

Thanks!

 

[joshua5438]

I had planned to attend a pool school when I first bought my house with a pool. I ended up getting way more info from this site and never went to the class. Most all pool stores are going to lead you in the direction that makes them the most profit, at least that's the way I felt after talking to a few employees before finding this site.

 

[PoolGate]

Really no there isn't. Well, yes, there is, but it will most likely not be worth asking. The Pool School is going to advise you not to use liquid bleach and instead opt for the more expensive chemicals that they sell. They also want a long term pool-care contract with you which goes contrary to what this site stands for. What you do want to ask is how all of your equipment works and what each valve does, etc. If you have automation, you could ask them to program the initial schedule but chances are you would move it later anyway. In addition, the guy I had didn't even believe in proper testing. He dipped the strip and looked at it for a second and flung a few various chemicals in the water without measuring anything. Realistically, do what they want you to do until you are assured your warranty will be valid. Also ask them to deliver to you all of the chemicals that you paid for, including salt if you are getting it. I wish my guy would never come back and told my PB I had no use for him anymore. All I need from him is my 700lbs of salt.

 

[Trele6]

Maybe I have a wrong impression of what "pool school" that my PB is providing.

To me I was expecting this to be an introduction to the pool on how to operate the equipment, keep the chemicals in check and general maintenance knowledge. Basically handing it over to me. As far as I am aware my builder doesnt offer any pool care contracts so i am not expecting anything along those lines.

Are we all talking about the same thing and I am just out of the loop on what to expect?

Thanks!

 

[atttech-2]

The number one thing to ask is what are your required to do in order to maintain any warranty they offer. Make sure you have reasonable proof you did what you were supposed to do. As my boss is fond of saying only a fool would submit a failing report if you catch my drift.
Beyond that a few other thoughts are...
Ask where any breakers/reset switches are.
Have them show you how to open the pump basket and filter, one so you know how to, and two if there is a problem say an over tightened bolt they can break it the first time so there is no question who's fault it is.
How to drain rain water.
Have them show you how to turn off the auto fill, you don't need it topping off the pool when you are trying to drain rain water.
Also show you how to adjust the pump speed, you want to run as low as possible and it can take a few adjustments to figure out what works best. Often times they will just show your the scheduling, pump speed may be in a separate programming menu.
Assuming the LED's are color changing you may need to know how to re sync them. Some will automatically reset each time used but if they don't it is possible to have one on green while the other is say blue there is usually some method to get them to go back to all being the same color.
Anything you forget to ask or did not know to ask can usually be answered by this site, Google or the manufacture website.

 

[Trele6]

Thanks for the reply Atttech-2.

I've already got out of sync LED's actually. turned them on the other day for the first time and I have two blues and one purple...

 

[PoolGate]

Maybe I have a wrong impression of what "pool school" that my PB is providing.

To me I was expecting this to be an introduction to the pool on how to operate the equipment, keep the chemicals in check and general maintenance knowledge. Basically handing it over to me. As far as I am aware my builder doesnt offer any pool care contracts so i am not expecting anything along those lines.

Are we all talking about the same thing and I am just out of the loop on what to expect?

Thanks!

My PB contracts this portion out to another company. Is it your PB doing it or another company? What you describe is pretty much how it goes.

 

[Trele6]

I assumed it is a guy that worked for the PB, but maybe he is contracted out... Guess I will find out once I get it scheduled.

 

[peirek]

atttech-2 has the list pretty well defined. Love the idea of them showing you how to disassemble the filter and pump basket to ensure they break something first - HAHA

You also want a tutorial on the heater & SWG operation. It isn't clear (I did not read your build thread - sorry) if you have automation to bring all the pieces together.
Make sure all pipes/valves are labeled and you understand each one.
As for the chemical additions/adjustments I would stick to this site! Ask all your questions, and you will have many. Everyone is here to help and teach you to have a Trouble Free Pool.