Same here. Pool store here charges $390 to open and $390 to close each season. I bought a cyclone last year and closed our pool. The closing was kind of a wash. I am waiting to see how I did in a couple weeks. Shooting for a April 14 or 15 opening. Get some pics up and that will help us take you through an opening. Its easier than a closing for sure!!
Opening Vinyl Pool: First Time
- Thread starter Snoobug
- Start date
Your pool builder didnt leave you the tool bar to remove the cover? Did you get the Allen wrench or did you have to buy that too? My builder left me my bar.
No they did not. We have a bunch of allen wrenches but we will check before we open next weekend to make sure we have the right size.
I'm thinking we'll have the pool company close as I'm sure we'll be burned out of all things pool by then.
arvil
Well-known member
I have an above ground. Replaced the accordion hoses with hard PVC some years ago, better flow. I have a union patch piece on both pipes to the pump so I don’t have to get pump/filter position perfect. I have one of those huge channel locks to tighten the unions, broke a nut once so glued the nut back together, been fine ever since. So, use the channel locks, but be careful not to overtighten and break ‘em. Just l little past hand-tight should do it.
I’ve opened and closed myself for 20 years.
It's specifically a long one, comically long even. It's not only to help save your back, but for twisting leverage as well.
A regular Allen wrench will work. But I suspect you will be Amazon-ing the cover tool halfway through the project.
Watch them do it a second time. Hand every worker $20 when they get there and apologize that you'll be shadowing them to learn. Next to nobody tips anymore. It's never expected, great job or bad. You have to tip upfront and if you do, their attitude improves greatly. Even if they weren't the best employee, they will be better while they are there. Anywho watch it be done as many seasons as you need. Take a stupid amount of pics that will live in the cloud and watch them in reverse next year.
Orion7319
Bronze Supporter
- Jul 1, 2020
- 1,442
- Pool Size
- 19775
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
It’s not long enough for me, after being in 7 car wrecks I can’t bend over for more then a minute before my back is killing me. I made my own tool using stuff I had around. I used an allen key, an old mop handle, some epoxy and electrical tape. Works great for me.
- Oct 16, 2020
- 263
- Pool Size
- 20000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Jandy Aquapure 1400
I just amazoned itPlease. Pretty please. Please for the LOVE of all things holy, ask.
Anytime
Ever
You mess something up that you didn't fully understand and we have multiple problems. Yes i said we. You know DARN well how invested we are in you. Or Sonny or Snoo. Or whoevs. *We* will have multiple problems. And we will of course help fix them all. But you know what i'm saying.
You want a silicone based lubricant. Hayward Jacks magic lube comes in a small toothpaste like tube and one BB sized bit is all you need at a time. It schmears like crazy. Use them blue gloves we all have laying around, its misearble trying to wash off a waterproof lube. It will last for several seasons so i never bothered to try the cheaper ones when the real one was $13. You can amazon it or hit up the pool store.
Ok this allen wrench thing. Is there just one for pool anchors or do I need to go out and figure out the size?
Orion7319
Bronze Supporter
- Jul 1, 2020
- 1,442
- Pool Size
- 19775
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
If you have an Allen wrench set, it’s one of the standard sizes.
I just removed my solid safety cover this past weekend. My method is to fold it up accordion style. My pool is Grecian shaped which is similar to a rectangle. I detach the springs from the anchors on one short end. Then I detach the first set of springs from anchors along the long sides. Fold the safety cover. Detach the second set of springs. Fold over again. I do this over and over until I reach the last set of springs. I detached the last set of springs along the long side plus the other short end springs. Then I pull the folder cover onto the concrete deck. The cover is one square wide. I roll up the cover and then stick it in the bag. It's really easy to do. By detaching only one set of springs at a time, I keep the cover from sinking into the pool and getting filled with water.
As for the anchors, I wash off the threads and then apply a silicone lube to it. Instead of using the hex key, I just stick a screwdriver bit into my drill backwards. The shaft is hexagonal shaped and fits perfectly inside the anchor hole.
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I will take pics of equipment tomorrow. I'm sure I'll have lots of questions!
Are there any issues with running our dolphin today with the pool so cold? Any issues with using the autocover?
Buwahahahahahahahahaha. Last night's low was 32 in Des Moines. Tomorrow will be 70. Mother Nature throwing out temps like PowerBall #s.
The cover and robot should be fine with today getting into the 50s and the water well above freezing.
The cover and robot should be fine with today getting into the 50s and the water well above freezing.
The water is likely in the low 40s and will take some time to warm up. But we also all know how this time of year goes 32...70...86.....42 so there is no harm in getting ahead of it in case a warm spell hits.
so there is no harm in getting ahead of it in case a warm spell hits.
