Pool Company showed up two weeks early to close pool -- we were not ready!

[bjsbuds]

Pool company showed up two weeks early today. Just a few hours earlier we filled the pool to the top of the skimmer as we were leaving town for a few days. Salt light was low, so we added salt today. We have not purchased our closing chemicals yet. Pool company said no problem, we will add chemicals.

After closing, they said they did not add chemicals because the water level was too high. They said you don't need any chemicals because you have a good loop-loc pool cover. I had never heard that one before. I have no idea if the pool's chemicals were in balance. We were planning to take care of all this after the trip.

They didn't remove the drain plug from the bottom of the cartridge filter. They didn't remove the SWG.

Could all of this be a problem come next spring? Recommendations please.

 

[ajw22]

Drain plug needs to be removed from the filter.

SWG does not need to be removed.

Not much you can do about the chemical levels now. You will see how the water is in the Spring.

I would have told the pool company to leave and come back in 2 weeks when the closing is scheduled for.

 

[Newdude]

We have not purchased our closing chemicals

What are your closing chemicals?

I have no idea if the pool's chemicals were in balance

How off could it possibly be with a vinyl pool ? When was the last time you checked ? We all get lazy in the late season, but besides low FC, the rest are probably very similar to how you left them.

They didn't remove the drain plug from the bottom of the cartridge filter.

You want it plugged once the pipes are empty so mice don't make a house out of your cartridges.

They didn't remove the SWG

Many don't. Mine comes inside, but it's for me, not the SWG.

 

[bjsbuds]

We typically purchased a chemical pool closing kit off of Amazon that included; shock, winter guard, metal out, stain rust and scale preventer, and time released winter oxidizing tablets in a container that floats in the pool all winter. Also purchased a aqua pill, winter pool clarifier.

Also realized they did not remove the two plugs from the pool heater.

They removed the cartridge filters. I store them inside over the winter after cleaning. So, I am inclined to remove the filter drain plugs as been done in the past.

Is there anything that can be done now other than opening the pool back up, add chemicals, running for a week or so, and hiring another company to close?

 

[Newdude]

Do you have stains, rust, metals, or scale ? Clarifier isn't needed, only enough FC. Those winter kits are one size fits all regardless of what your pool needs. Basically dump and pray.

Also realized they did not remove the two plugs from the pool heater.

Once the pipes are empty, the only way you're getting water into the above ground equipment is with a considerable break in the plumbing that allows rain in. Even then, it likely won't be enough rain to matter.

The empty filter, for example. Say 3 inches of water got in there which isnt likely, it would have plenty of room to expand if it froze.

They removed the cartridge filters. I store them inside over the winter after cleaning

Nice. This is my preferred way.

Is there anything that can be done now other than opening the pool back up, add chemicals, running for a week or so, and hiring another company to close?

Pop a corner of the cover and run a submersible pump to mix whatever chemicals you added. No need to run for a week. An hour or two is plenty. With the pool pump you'd need 15 mins but the submersible doesn't have the same efficiency.

 

[bjsbuds]

Back in town. Tested the pool chemicals and the FC was low, but okay. PH is good. Salt is good. Pulled the cover back and added shock, metal-out, and those winter pills we have added each year. So now, we pray... and wait to see in the Spring.

 

[rjb1211]

If it were me I would find a different pool company to use next year.