Hi everybody,
I've been browsing the forums for a week or two and decided to join in
Here's the backstory, and a long post:
We inherited the pool with the house about 10 months ago and have had weekly pool service for the past 7 or 8 months. The pool has its share of problems, leaking filter, leaking pump, broken ATO, old plaster etc. After skipping a few cleanings and a green tinged pool, the PB came and shocked it 4 weeks ago (ish), came back 3 weeks ago and cleaned, then refused to come until we repaired the leaking filter. They quoted us $1200 to replace it lol. The previous PB was flakey as well so I decided to take over the work myself and I plan on addressing the problems.
Item 1: Pool Chemistry
I've been using TF-100 test kits and here are my measurements, all taken in the evening:
Oct 14
FC 15.5ppm
pH 7.5
TA 120
CH 750ppm
CYA 70-80ppm
CC 0ppm
Removed the floating doser (it still had some partially dissolved tablets in it)
Oct 15
FC 15.5ppm
CC 0ppm
CYA 80ppm
Oct 16
FC 16.5ppm
CC 0ppm
CYA 80ppm
I haven't added anything to the pool. The only change has been on Oct 14 I removed the doser and on Oct 16 I cleaned the filter and ran the pump with the clean filter. So my questions are:
a) Why hasn't FC dropped....and is the increase on Oct 16 error? In retrospect I should have taken a second reading. We'll see tonight's reading.
b) Should I do a partial drain to bring down CYA?
c) The water is cloudy and I think it's from suspended particles. It was clear and then I brushed the walls and ran the filter....but obviously the filter isn't working right.
d) CH looks awful high, but we also have really hard water here. What's normal for Phoenix pools?
Item 2: Leaking filter
It was leaking water heavily from between the tank and base above the inlet so I took the tank off. The filter was completely green and had a thick sludge build up at the bottom. I cleaned the filter, reassembled with the air line and a new O-ring lubricated with vaseline. It continued to leak heavily in the same location. I've tried rotating the tank, reseating the O-ring, rotating the filter cartridge, and rotating the clamp. None have any effect and the leak is the same amount at the same location. I don't see any cracks in the base.
The filter itself is damaged and should be replaced but this won't address the leak issue. My best guess is the base has a warp in it that I can't see or the clamp needs replacing. But at this point, I'm looking at $90 for a new filter and whatever other replacement parts. Should I just buy a new cartridge filter and oversize it while I'm at it? I'll need to relocate the filter if I oversize since I don't have enough space for a larger diameter filter.
Item 3: Leak pump at outlet
Slow leak, and something I'll address once I get the pool chemistry and filter sorted out. Also will replace with 2 speed motor.
Item 4: ATO
Another thing to fix at a later date. Currently shut off.
Thanks for reading!
I've been browsing the forums for a week or two and decided to join in
Here's the backstory, and a long post:We inherited the pool with the house about 10 months ago and have had weekly pool service for the past 7 or 8 months. The pool has its share of problems, leaking filter, leaking pump, broken ATO, old plaster etc. After skipping a few cleanings and a green tinged pool, the PB came and shocked it 4 weeks ago (ish), came back 3 weeks ago and cleaned, then refused to come until we repaired the leaking filter. They quoted us $1200 to replace it lol. The previous PB was flakey as well so I decided to take over the work myself and I plan on addressing the problems.
Item 1: Pool Chemistry
I've been using TF-100 test kits and here are my measurements, all taken in the evening:
Oct 14
FC 15.5ppm
pH 7.5
TA 120
CH 750ppm
CYA 70-80ppm
CC 0ppm
Removed the floating doser (it still had some partially dissolved tablets in it)
Oct 15
FC 15.5ppm
CC 0ppm
CYA 80ppm
Oct 16
FC 16.5ppm
CC 0ppm
CYA 80ppm
I haven't added anything to the pool. The only change has been on Oct 14 I removed the doser and on Oct 16 I cleaned the filter and ran the pump with the clean filter. So my questions are:
a) Why hasn't FC dropped....and is the increase on Oct 16 error? In retrospect I should have taken a second reading. We'll see tonight's reading.
b) Should I do a partial drain to bring down CYA?
c) The water is cloudy and I think it's from suspended particles. It was clear and then I brushed the walls and ran the filter....but obviously the filter isn't working right.
d) CH looks awful high, but we also have really hard water here. What's normal for Phoenix pools?
Item 2: Leaking filter
It was leaking water heavily from between the tank and base above the inlet so I took the tank off. The filter was completely green and had a thick sludge build up at the bottom. I cleaned the filter, reassembled with the air line and a new O-ring lubricated with vaseline. It continued to leak heavily in the same location. I've tried rotating the tank, reseating the O-ring, rotating the filter cartridge, and rotating the clamp. None have any effect and the leak is the same amount at the same location. I don't see any cracks in the base.
The filter itself is damaged and should be replaced but this won't address the leak issue. My best guess is the base has a warp in it that I can't see or the clamp needs replacing. But at this point, I'm looking at $90 for a new filter and whatever other replacement parts. Should I just buy a new cartridge filter and oversize it while I'm at it? I'll need to relocate the filter if I oversize since I don't have enough space for a larger diameter filter.
Item 3: Leak pump at outlet
Slow leak, and something I'll address once I get the pool chemistry and filter sorted out. Also will replace with 2 speed motor.
Item 4: ATO
Another thing to fix at a later date. Currently shut off.
Thanks for reading!
I'll stick with standard pool lube..
