New to pool ownership - Ugh!!!

[TequilaTony]

Purchased a home this year with unground pool. Move in September 1st. Pool is fun but has proven to be an expensive venture. Previous owner left be some Bioguard Lithium Hypochlorite and Silk tabs.

In one month I've managed to spend about $500 in chemicals. At the end of week 1, the water started clouding. A day later worse. Pool store tested water and concluded very high levels of ammonia. First round of liquid shock to the tune of $90. A couple weeks later I ran out of Silk tabs and PH was low, another $50 in chems.

Fast forward 2 more weeks. Chlorine levels are really low. Water is clear. I've run out of powdered shock and tablets. Test reveal high ammonia. Another $90 in liquid shock. Awe later I'm preparing to close the pool, $250 in chemicals. Pool must be balanced in order to close. I start the regimen and have water tested 1 week later. Another $80 on chems to increase alkalinity and PH.

My pool is 23,500 gallons unground with an automatic cover and a vinyl lining. It is a heavily treed lot. My closing chems included Scale Inhibitor which I'm reading is primarily for aggregate pools. Do I even need this for vinyl or did the pool store see me coming?

I hope I can get this all under control prior to next year. Pool store is already warning me I will need to do a partial drain in the spring to remove high particulates. The previous owner spoke of none of these troubles and claimed the pool was virtually maintenance free with minor chems and weekly 30 minute cleaning.

 

[borjis]

Welcome...you've found the right place.

You have been "pool stored" but that won't happen again with the good advice you will get here if you follow it.

The first thing you should do is get one of the recommended test kits. TF100 or Taylor K2006.

This will yield true and accurate test results to determine the next step.

If you have any of the remaining chemicals, unopened, return them.

A sparkling beautiful pool can easily be maintained with the methods here, using only store bought Bleach,
washing soda, muriatic acid, baking soda and ice melter.

 

[JVTrain]

Spend some time in Pool School such as ABCs of Pool Water Chemistry and Pool School - Recommended Pool Chemicals. Here at TFP, we teach methods that allow home owners take control of their own pool maintenance with confidence while saving money. You can manage your pool without ever setting foot in a pool store again, which is where the money savings comes in.

A few things are required:
- A recommended test kit. The Taylor K-2006 is good, but the TF-100 from tftestkits.net is the Cadillac in kits for a Kia price.
- Do not mix our methods and advice with pool store advice. This will only lead to confusion.
- You must spend some time in Pool School with the basics that I mentioned and be very proactive about asking questions. There are no dumb questions. Everyone here is a pool owner and has been where you are at some point.
- Daily testing during the pool season is required. A pool cannot be properly managed with infrequent testing. During normal maintenance, this is only checking FC or TC and pH along with occasional testing for CH, TA and CYA. When dealing with problems you may have to test for FC/CC very frequently but once you have solved problems using TFP methods, testing is easy and takes 10 minutes or less each time.

 

[Philo]

These guys know what's up. I was in your situation a short while ago. Read everything the above posters suggest, TWICE! (I'm spending about a dollar a day).

 

[Swampwoman]

Welcome, and +1 on advice given so far.

Re: your specific question -

My pool is 23,500 gallons unground with an automatic cover and a vinyl lining. It is a heavily treed lot. My closing chems included Scale Inhibitor which I'm reading is primarily for aggregate pools. Do I even need this for vinyl or did the pool store see me coming?

Normally, calcium isn't high enough in vinyl to cause scale, BUT it really depends on whether former owners used a lot of things like cal-hypo shock, etc.

If you get your TFPkit now and measure your calcium before closing, you might be able to take it back for refund. Likewise, if you get your kit now you can do a TFP-style closing balance...which is just to raise the FC a day before if all else is inline, or alternately,a few days before with the addition of polyquat60 at the end. But you need to know your cya level to do that...and you need the kit for that reading...pool stores are notoriously inaccurate on cya, as are strips.

If you still plan to use the pool service to perform the closing labor, you can tell them, its a "no chem" close (eg you balance the water, not them) and they'll have to knock some $$ off the closing price. Its also good to watch them nd learn so you can DIY yourself next year if you like

Hope that helps! I am confident that if you follow TFP methods, you will not have spent as much for the entire season next year as you've spent last month at the pool store!

 

[TequilaTony]

Welcome, and +1 on advice given so far.

Re: your specific question -


Normally, calcium isn't high enough in vinyl to cause scale, BUT it really depends on whether former owners used a lot of things like cal-hypo shock, etc.

If you get your TFPkit now and measure your calcium before closing, you might be able to take it back for refund. Likewise, if you get your kit now you can do a TFP-style closing balance...which is just to raise the FC a day before if all else is inline, or alternately,a few days before with the addition of polyquat60 at the end. But you need to know your cya level to do that...and you need the kit for that reading...pool stores are notoriously inaccurate on cya, as are strips.

If you still plan to use the pool service to perform the closing labor, you can tell them, its a "no chem" close (eg you balance the water, not them) and they'll have to knock some $$ off the closing price. Its also good to watch them nd learn so you can DIY yourself next year if you like

Hope that helps! I am confident that if you follow TFP methods, you will not have spent as much for the entire season next year as you've spent last month at the pool store!

I ordered the TF100 kit today. My closing is not scheduled until the 29th. As I'm new to this, I paid the pool store to close. I'm told the closing cost did not include chemicals except for antifreeze. I have to balance in advance which is part of the addition $250 in chems I just purchased. The store uses some system called Alex. It measure my CYA at 94 on 10/10. They've been warning me that I may need to perform a partial drain and refill in the spring. I'm assuming it's due to the high CYA levels.

Once I get the TF100, I will test the CYA to compare.

 

[pinguy]

I ordered the TF100 kit today. My closing is not scheduled until the 29th. As I'm new to this, I paid the pool store to close. I'm told the closing cost did not include chemicals except for antifreeze. I have to balance in advance which is part of the addition $250 in chems I just purchased. The store uses some system called Alex. It measure my CYA at 94 on 10/10. They've been warning me that I may need to perform a partial drain and refill in the spring. I'm assuming it's due to the high CYA levels.

Once I get the TF100, I will test the CYA to compare.

You'll need to drain down to below the returns for closing, which will help with your CYA levels come spring. You'll probably have to replace a bit more water then, but the CYA test in your TF-100 will determine that.

The only closing chemical we recommend here Polyquat 60 and liquid chlorine. Check out this article: Pool School - Closing an In Ground Pool

Note that Polyquat is a brand and your pool store may carry something different, just check on bottle that the active ingredient is 60% polyethylene.

 

[Schnozz]

I'm a newbie as well, with a small above ground pool. At first the advice from the membership seemed overwhelming and too simple at the same time. Liquid chlorine, acid, baking soda and limited use of cya. But I bought the recommended test kit, followed the plan religiously, tested daily, asked questions, read and re-read pool school and stayed away from the pool store. It has all worked out. Be patient, follow the plan and by the time you close, your water will look so good, you may have to brave the chilly water just to test it out. Enjoy the adventure in simple pool maintanance while saving money at the same time. I've spent around $1.00 or maybe $2.00 a day if you count reagants...

 

[kimkats]

HI! I just wanted to let you know we have your back! We do not need or want your wallet LOL

You will LOVE your pool once we teach you the ropes!

Kim

 

[BuckeyeChris]

did the store also tell you that the CYA is high because of all the other stuff they sold you in the first place?