justinw305 said:
Thank you all for your input. My next question is about starting the cleaning process...everything I have read starts with a working pool and filter. A little background on the pool: the house has been empty since Oct 07, apparently the pool was left full until early summer 08 and either fully/half drained. Since most posts assume the pool is in working order/has been in use, how do I begin?
Pool status:
The pump works
Haven't dug into the filter to see what the inside looks like
The water level is about 2 foot down as of now
My first plan of attack is to get a "leaf rake" to get all of the solids/dead critters off the bottom of the pool, after that do I fill the pool to the appropriate level or do I try to clear it up first using only the bottom drain? If you have a better plan please point me to it or lay it out here if you would.
Also can I get a decent test kit from a store versus buying online? I would like to get a TF-100 caliber kit without waiting/paying for shipping if possible.
Thanks again,
Justin
Justin,
I and I'm sure everyone else here,
truly appreciate that you want to do this yourself
We all want you to have a 'trouble free pool' and be able to get to that point without relying on a pool company to do it for you!
The leaf rake is a great :!: place to start, get as much of the large debris out as you can - I know the water is so murky that you can't even see the bottom but, the more you can get out, the better your task will be when you start up the filter system!! I must reiterate to read POOL SCHOOL
it will answer most of your questions on the 'how to's' and give you a good knowledge base for dealing with your pool
I know JasonLion said to look into your filter (yours is either a EC - 60 or EC -75 -- I can't tell from the pics) before you start trying to filter the water, however, if you refill the pool and get the pump running, you can open the drain plug on the filter and 'vacuum to waste' (most of the water will go out the drain port - all of it will if you plug the returns in the pool
) If you need help on setting up the vacuum, just give a holler and we'll help. You
will need to take apart the filter and clean it (I can talk you through the entire process) before you pronounce your pool 'swimmable' .
You have a big project but, it's nothing you can't handle with the help you'll find here
As for the test kit, the Taylor 2006-K is ~ the same as the TF- 100 (I'll tell you from experience - the TF- 100, ships the same day that the order is received, if ordered before 2 pm (eastern time) and only takes 1 -2 days to arrive) If you can find the Taylor 2006 near you - go for it! - just make sure that it's not one that's sat on the shelf for a year
[My personal opinion - get the TF- 100, it arrives quickly, the shipping charge is minimal and you will
know that the test chems (reagents) are fresh!]
I'll keep my eye on this thread and offer any more help and info as you need 8)
-Ted