Overwhelmed Newbie with too many ridiculous questions.

[JanHan]

Hello! So happy to have found this forum. About to close on a new to us home. It has an existing pool that I believe the present owner gets serviced weekly. Very excited but overwhelmed. I'm wondering if anybody has tips on what they did in this situation?
1. Should I ask the owner to walk me through what his system of care has been?
2. Do I need to ask which pool equipment comes with pool, or do owners normally leave their skimmers etc? Should I have this included in the paperwork?
3. I'm determined to use the TFP method and maybe I'm overthinking things but what usually happens after closing on a house. Should I remind the owner to cancel on his pool guy? Or should I keep the pool guy for a few weeks until we get all settled in and then buy the proper chemicals and kits? Apologize for so many questions, I'm an over thinker and freaking out a bit, I have friends warning me that pools are a nightmare to upkeep and they can turn green overnight (I've decided they're not invited to my first pool party with TFP sparkling water teehee) Any input would be so appreciated. Thanks!


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[Texas Splash]

Hello and welcome to TFP! To answer your questions:
1 - Sure, if the owner is willing, learn what you can and take notes. But be prepared to change your routine once you are on your own.
2 - Generally all the equipment is permanently installed so it should stay, but you can ask to be sure.
3 - I would order a TF-100 test kit (link below) right away. No need for a pool service that you will probably cancel once you test your own water anyways. It's not difficult, and usually pool services are quick in & out visits that do little for your pool chemistry.

Read the TFP "Pool School" and other vital links below in my sig, along with the test kit, and you're on your way!

 

[JanHan]

Thank you very much for the input. Going to order the test kit ASAP.


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[surfingcrna]

A word of warning from someone who never owned a pool. We purchased a home and met the pool cleaner and owner and they both said the pool was serviced regularly. After we moved in, I found most of the pool equipment did not have o-rings (vasoline mixed with dirt was stopping leaks I guess), parts were broken, and the chem was not as it should be.

However, this forum is incredible, I've watched videos and read articles and have repaired everything myself and I'm no engineer or mechanic. But I would research what each part does and be informed. It's really not that hard and everyone in here has probably seen it and done it.

Happy to help if I can.

Good luck.

 

[JanHan]

Thank you for the head's up! Our home inspector is going to do a minor inspection of the equipment and condition and then let us know if he thinks we should consider a more in-depth pool specialist if any red flags are raised. The property and pool are pretty young and appear to be in amazing shape, so I'm hoping we don't run into Vaseline o-rings (that's crazy! I'm sorry that happened to you)


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[surfingcrna]

Mine might be an over-reaction to what happened, but our inspector was supposed to do the same thing. He did say things looked ok but of course we should get a professional if we were concerned - so he wasn't liable of course

Now I could do it since it's really not that complicated, but it might be worth the cost. Our local Angie's List always has coupons for discounted checks. Hope all goes well.

 

[duraleigh]

Make sure the current owner teaches you what valves do what. That will help you immensely. You would do wise to disregard any advice you get on chemistry......it seldom will coincide with what we teach.

Get your test kit and post a set of results before you do anything. We'll all help you.

 

[JanHan]

Thanks for all the great advice already. This forum is a Godsend! Thanks


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[wjr75]

Get all the paper work that they may still have for the pool. We were lucky to get all the design prints and manuals plus all the city permits that were had. We also used the same pool company to open our pool who were maintaining it for him. I tipped the pool guy and he showed me how everything worked when we opened it. We still use the pool company to open and winterize our pool.

 

[kimkats]

I like you already! Have a problem (pool), look for a solution (TFP), problem solved (thread in TFP)!

Buying a new home with a POOl! How fun AND scary!

Right now it will all seem overwhelming BUT once you get the test kit and start doing your pool the TFP way you will be oh so much happier than the others you are talking to!

I am going to go a little early on this for you. That way you can start printing and learning NOW. Well at least when you are not packing poor thing!

Here are some links you will need when you are starting to learn how to care for a pool.

Print these out:
Pool School - Basic Pool Care Schedule

Pool School - Recommended Levels

Bookmark these:
Pool School - Recommended Pool Chemicals

http://www.troublefreepool.com/calc.html

Pool School - ABCs of Pool Water Chemistry

Make sure to ask any and all questions you might have no matter how small! We have all been where you are at one point.

Kim:cat:

 

[JanHan]

Get all the paper work that they may still have for the pool. We were lucky to get all the design prints and manuals plus all the city permits that were had. We also used the same pool company to open our pool who were maintaining it for him. I tipped the pool guy and he showed me how everything worked when we opened it. We still use the pool company to open and winterize our pool.

Great idea, hoping they might have plans still. I'm sure going to ask now. And thinking I might go the route of asking the pool boy to come and give me a walk through if the owners aren't knowledgable and then give him a nice tip and a "you're fired" fruit basket or bundt cake or something for his trouble.


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[JanHan]

I like you already! Have a problem (pool), look for a solution (TFP), problem solved (thread in TFP)!

Buying a new home with a POOl! How fun AND scary!

Right now it will all seem overwhelming BUT once you get the test kit and start doing your pool the TFP way you will be oh so much happier than the others you are talking to!

I am going to go a little early on this for you. That way you can start printing and learning NOW. Well at least when you are not packing poor thing!

Here are some links you will need when you are starting to learn how to care for a pool.

Print these out:
Pool School - Basic Pool Care Schedule

Pool School - Recommended Levels

Bookmark these:
Pool School - Recommended Pool Chemicals

http://www.troublefreepool.com/calc.html

Pool School - ABCs of Pool Water Chemistry

Make sure to ask any and all questions you might have no matter how small! We have all been where you are at one point.

Kim:cat:

Thanks KimKats! I've been noticing all the amazing help you share with others on this forum, excited to have people like you out there. I spent at least 8hrs on here yesterday reading all of the links above and fell down the TFP rabbit hole (who needs to pack when moving anyways? Hahaa) My husband will be the primary caretaker of the pool but I really wanted to get a jump on things and lighten his load a bit. Now I'm thinking I might try to nudge him out and be the poolboy hahaha. Or maybe the executive poolboy director at least (keep him out of the pool shop) Thanks for all the good advice already!!


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[kimkats]

Wait until you get all settled and have REAL down time! Go to the "under construction" side and watch a few builds. THAT is a blast.

Once YOU learn to care for the pool and keep reading then you can start answering questions like the poolgal you will become!

Kim:cat: