Hello! I just first wanted to say how blown away I am by the information on this website. A friend suggested I check out this site when I told her I wanted to open my pool on my own this year. I'm sure glad I did! What a wealth of info and a great community!
My most immediate question is on my pool pump. Late last season, my pool pump sounded like it was making more noise than when we first bought the house and moved in. It may have been a little higher pitched, but basically it was just louder. Could this be an indication a bearing was going, or the motor is just on its last legs? If so, does it make sense to replace it now before the season starts, or ride it out until it dies? And if I am replacing it, what are the recommendations? From reading so far, the multispeed pumps will make a big difference in the energy bills. Any particular favorites?
A little background. We bought the house and moved in July 2013. The pool and motor was originally installed in 2001. I do not know if this is the original motor or if has been replaced since then. The owners from 2005 till we bought it kept meticulous records on the rest of the house, so I would believe they would have documented a new pump purchase.
I've read through Pool School and intend to make the complete switch to TFPC from here on out. My pool is closed right now drained about a foot below the skimmer. My test results as of this week are:
FC - 0
CC - 0
pH - 8.0
TA - 60
CH - 170
CYA - 60
My plan is to adjust the pH, TA, and CC as recommended by the pool calculator once I open. I will then SLAM the pool all while keeping the pump running constantly and sticking with liquid bleach (no more chlorine tabs!). I think my CYA will be much closer to 40 once I fill the pool back up with water, but can also drain another foot or more of water out of the pool before I open to "water-down" the CYA.
Any other "newbie" mistakes to avoid? Thanks again!
My most immediate question is on my pool pump. Late last season, my pool pump sounded like it was making more noise than when we first bought the house and moved in. It may have been a little higher pitched, but basically it was just louder. Could this be an indication a bearing was going, or the motor is just on its last legs? If so, does it make sense to replace it now before the season starts, or ride it out until it dies? And if I am replacing it, what are the recommendations? From reading so far, the multispeed pumps will make a big difference in the energy bills. Any particular favorites?
A little background. We bought the house and moved in July 2013. The pool and motor was originally installed in 2001. I do not know if this is the original motor or if has been replaced since then. The owners from 2005 till we bought it kept meticulous records on the rest of the house, so I would believe they would have documented a new pump purchase.
I've read through Pool School and intend to make the complete switch to TFPC from here on out. My pool is closed right now drained about a foot below the skimmer. My test results as of this week are:
FC - 0
CC - 0
pH - 8.0
TA - 60
CH - 170
CYA - 60
My plan is to adjust the pH, TA, and CC as recommended by the pool calculator once I open. I will then SLAM the pool all while keeping the pump running constantly and sticking with liquid bleach (no more chlorine tabs!). I think my CYA will be much closer to 40 once I fill the pool back up with water, but can also drain another foot or more of water out of the pool before I open to "water-down" the CYA.
Any other "newbie" mistakes to avoid? Thanks again!