Hi! I just got a house with a 15.5k gal pool that has been empty for 3 years. I’m in Las Vegas, NV, where temperatures are over 100 degrees F during the summer. The tile is falling off in places, there are light cracks and a few places where the wall is bubbled, I tried to capture it in the pictures. The machinery turns on and squirted some water out. The heater connection seems to be cut. I looked up the prior pool maintenance company listed on the machinery but it doesn’t exist anymore. My little 4 year old is so excited for the pool but I don’t even know where to start. I’ve never owned a pool before. Any guidance is appreciated!
Help for empty pool please
- Thread starter wannaswim1
- Start date
-
- Tags
- empty pool las vegas plaster
- Jun 24, 2021
- 15,903
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
Delaminating, blistering, and cracking are indicators the need to re-plaster. Plaster does not do well when left to the elements, uncovered by water. It is likely that you will have to replaster the pool.
- Jul 21, 2013
- 65,101
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
What can you do yourself and what would you need to contract out?
If the plumbing is good then you probably need a new pump and filter and then fill the pool.
- Cleaning out the pool
- Replacing equipment
- Plumbing
- Electrical
- Tile installation
If the plumbing is good then you probably need a new pump and filter and then fill the pool.
an1vrsy
Bronze Supporter
- Jul 10, 2018
- 1,238
- Pool Size
- 26000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Welcome to TFP! The place to be for pool owners. There is a wealth of experienced moderators and expert poster here.
Looking at your pictures and the state of the pool, was there any funds held back to get the pool usable as part of your home purchase agreement?
With a little one in the home ensure you have some pool fencing surrounding the empty pool…
I would say you need to clean out the bottom of the pool first thing. Remove the lights in the pool and jacuzzi and have all the electrical checked and confirmed. That plaster is shot, you’ll need a full chip out and replaster. And new tile. You definitely need to pressure test the plumbing then have a new pump, filter and heater installed.
Good luck and stick around and ask questions to the forum.
Looking at your pictures and the state of the pool, was there any funds held back to get the pool usable as part of your home purchase agreement?
With a little one in the home ensure you have some pool fencing surrounding the empty pool…
I would say you need to clean out the bottom of the pool first thing. Remove the lights in the pool and jacuzzi and have all the electrical checked and confirmed. That plaster is shot, you’ll need a full chip out and replaster. And new tile. You definitely need to pressure test the plumbing then have a new pump, filter and heater installed.
Good luck and stick around and ask questions to the forum.
The house was empty for years, the pool was fine until it went vacant.
We can clean and I see Leslie’s is offering free install on some machinery right now. I just don’t know if I should replace the machinery and lights. They turn on. Would you suggest when changing the equipment to change it to saltwater? I heard it better for skin/hair/health and pool plaster.
Is installing pool tile harder than regular tile? My husband might be able to do that. Plumbing and electrical is just too specialized.
Should I do the pressure test by a company or at the same company that does plaster? They offer it but may be more incentivized to say problem because they will be the ones fixing while companies that only test are cheaper and they don’t have any incentives.
Thank you for the warm welcome and I’m glad to have found a place I can get some good, honest guidance. The lights turn on so I thought maybe it’s ok, would you still suggest getting an electrician?
- Jul 21, 2013
- 65,101
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Do not turn on pool lights for more than a few seconds to see it works without being submerged in water. Pool lights need the water to cool them or they will quickly get damaged.
Show us pictures of your electical panels.
Does your pump, lights, and gas heater have GFCI protection?
How can I drain the bit of water in the bottom? Is there a drain suction in pools or would I have to get a pump?
- Jul 21, 2013
- 65,101
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Every pool owner should have a submersible pump to drain water.
Submersible Pumps - Further Reading
www.troublefreepool.com
Yes, we only checked then turned off. Thanks for the heads up! Are any of these pics of use?
Attachments
- Jul 21, 2013
- 65,101
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
It is not clear to me that the pool must immediately be replastered.
Clean up the pool. Add water into it. See if the pump and filter work or get replacements from Leslie. Get the basic pool running and see if the plaster holds water or leaks.
Yes, get a SWG to chlorinate the pool.
Leslie does not always give the best equipment recommendations so run it by us here.
Clean up the pool. Add water into it. See if the pump and filter work or get replacements from Leslie. Get the basic pool running and see if the plaster holds water or leaks.
Yes, get a SWG to chlorinate the pool.
Leslie does not always give the best equipment recommendations so run it by us here.
- Jul 21, 2013
- 65,101
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
No GFCI CBs for pump or heater. They should be installed for safety.
The light may be connected through the GFCI outlet. Trip the outlet using the TEST button and see if the lights are off when the GFCI is tripped.
The light may be connected through the GFCI outlet. Trip the outlet using the TEST button and see if the lights are off when the GFCI is tripped.
Wow, you’re the absolute best! Thank you tons! I tripped it and the lights didn’t turn on so the lights indeed go through that.
The panel has a GFI section that we keep on for the grill, it goes to a plug near the pool. Could that be the one for the pump and heater?
Attachments
- Jul 21, 2013
- 65,101
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
I think that GFI breaker goes to the outlet your light is connected to as well as your grill. It is a 120 volt breaker while the pump needs a 240 volt breaker.
- Jul 21, 2013
- 65,101
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
I sincerely apologize for being mia, we had a medical emergency. I hope these help. I might not be able to post tomorrow depending on how things go but I very much appreciate your help and will get back when I can.
Attachments
- Jul 21, 2013
- 65,101
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
The pump, filter, and heater are all old. I would not put any money into them.
You can put water in the pool and see how things work or just bite the bullet and start fresh with new equipment.
You can put water in the pool and see how things work or just bite the bullet and start fresh with new equipment.
Get all new equipment which should include the largest cartridge filter for which room and the wallet allow, a heater and VSP pump along with a SWG (salt water generator). While your at it you may want automation which would be perfectly timed so brand can all be the same. Should the pool itself need repair the equipment will be once and done.