Buying a house with a black pool

[lifeaffects]

I'm looking at buying a house with an 18x33x4ft above ground pool.

The pool has been like this since the beginning of this year, black, leaves are littered on the bottom about 2 inches thick, and I received a quote to bring it back to compliance for $1500... I'm not keen on pool cleanings but this sounds steep to me.

Pool guy mention that it's not safe to drain due to some kind of liner in it but it could be cleaned by removing debris on floor and "slamming it" as he stated... pump works fine..

Is this too much or what should I expect to pay? Pictures are attached. Thanks

 

[ajw22]

Does that price include all the chemicals needed to get you to a clean pool?

What do you think is a fair hourly rate in your area?

You can do it yourself with the proper test kit, chemicals, and following our SLAM Process

Algae Archives

www.troublefreepool.com

That liner looks pretty faded and in poor condition. I would not count on that liner lasting a long time.

Pool Care Basics Archives

Your one-stop shop for all things TFP to include: ABCs of Water Chemistry, Recommended Chemicals/Levels, Test Kits, Troubleshooting, and much more!

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[lifeaffects]

Does that price include all the chemicals needed to get you to a clean pool?

What do you think is a fair hourly rate in your area?

You can do it yourself with the proper test kit, chemicals, and following our SLAM Process

Algae Archives

www.troublefreepool.com

That liner looks pretty faded and in poor condition. I would not count on that liner lasting a long time.

Pool Care Basics Archives

Your one-stop shop for all things TFP to include: ABCs of Water Chemistry, Recommended Chemicals/Levels, Test Kits, Troubleshooting, and much more!

www.troublefreepool.com

Yes, that includes all chemicals, basically turnkey to bring it back blue and swimmable.

Im not sure if the price is right or not.. its tough finding someone..No pool company will even come out for above ground pools here.. this is a guy that normally services above ground pools.

 

[ajw22]

It is not a bad price with all the chemicals if you do not want to do the work.

 

[TinFoilHat]

The problem as I see it is that you need a new liner. Secondly, while the pool guy used the correct "slamming" term, he probably can't do that for you as it takes multiple water tests, chlorine adds and brushings each day during the slam to accomplish this and it can take days to weeks to finish it. Yours would involve chlorine washes of the ladder out of the pool, the skimmer, any returns and any lights. Then you may or may not need the pool equipment replaced, depending on what you have.

 

[ajw22]

he probably can't do that for you as it takes multiple water tests, chlorine adds and brushings each day during the slam to accomplish this and it can take days to weeks to finish it. Yours would involve chlorine washes of the ladder out of the pool, the skimmer, any returns and any lights.

I assume for that price the guy would spend significant time at the pool doing that stuff.

@lifeaffects should have that discussion about how much time the guy will be working at the pool.

 

[lifeaffects]

It is not a bad price with all the chemicals if you do not want to do the work.

I assume for that price the guy would spend significant time at the pool doing that stuff.

@lifeaffects should have that discussion about how much time the guy will be working at the pool.

He said he will remove the debris from floor, Scrub all corners of pool, heavily shock it, come back the next day, Scrub and shock again, next day flock? Next day vaccum, flock, vaccum, add the correct dosage with algacide and clearifier, and all should be good. He's going to replace a cartridge filter or something he said...

Does that sound correct?

 

[ajw22]

He said he will remove the debris from floor, Scrub all corners of pool, heavily shock it, come back the next day, Scrub and shock again, next day flock? Next day vaccum, flock, vaccum, add the correct dosage with algacide and clearifier, and all should be good. He's going to replace a cartridge filter or something he said...

Does that sound correct?

That is not the process that we would recommend but if you need him to do it and he leaves you with a clear pool then so be it.

I suggest you learn about TFP methods and see if you want to adopt them…

Pool Care Basics Archives

Your one-stop shop for all things TFP to include: ABCs of Water Chemistry, Recommended Chemicals/Levels, Test Kits, Troubleshooting, and much more!

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[EstherWilliams]

Took me 22 days myself to do it....same situation.....bought house......if you educate oneself and have a pool store that does free testing, you can do this....gotta get your hands dirty, but it was so rewarding, and now pool maintenance is a breeze. I didn't know a lick about pools until we bought the house and turned my swamp to crystal clear in just over 3 weeks....doubt this guy can do this in a couple das....

 

[VinnyinNJ]

As was mentioned the pool looks faded so be prepared that when the water is clear it may be an ugly pool to start with. Also just be aware that an old liner could be rather fragile and all the work that's needed will ruin the liner. Our last pool was 20 YO the laminated floor had lost it "swirls" marking and was pretty faded. It developed a hole in the liner for no reason (nothing hit it and nothing was sharp inside the pool) which couldn't be repaired and when we cut the liner the pool wall was rusted and the bottom track was totally gone.

Really think about spending money on a questionable older pool; it could be the best $1500 or it could be a rabbit hole. But I will say that paying that money so you don't have to do the work could be worth it if you're willing to make sure it doesn't get like that again and you get a couple of seasons from the pool.

 

[Pauls234]

Do you know how old the pool is or what kind of shape the actual structure/walls are in?

If in good shape structurally (no rust) I'd consider just replacing the liner altogether. It's potentially a DIY job* (I replaced my 30 ft liner, literally by myself - no helping hands, which I do not recommend!) so with liner cost of about $600, $1500 could about the cost of liner plus pro install.

*DIY with the help and support of the TFP Army we've got here.

 

[Mdragger88]

I’d spend that money on a new liner instead of a cleanup.
Then you’re starting over fresh and not swimming in who knows what soup with a liner on it’s last legs from this guy’s version of the
SLAM Process.
Either way get a
Test Kits Compared & check out
Pool Care Basics

 

[lifeaffects]

Do you know how old the pool is or what kind of shape the actual structure/walls are in?

If in good shape structurally (no rust) I'd consider just replacing the liner altogether. It's potentially a DIY job* (I replaced my 30 ft liner, literally by myself - no helping hands, which I do not recommend!) so with liner cost of about $600, $1500 could about the cost of liner plus pro install.

*DIY with the help and support of the TFP Army we've got here.

I believe it is about 5 years old, and seller said that the pool had been drained ,cleaned, and refilled before...

 

[Mdragger88]

I believe it is about 5 years old, and seller said that the pool had been drained ,cleaned, and refilled before...

That liner looks rough for being 5yrs old but it gives me hope that the structure is still in good condition & worth putting some effort into the pool. There are pumps & filters much older than that still kicking.
Some liners bleach out kinda easy - if it feels brittle I would replace it but if it still feels supple I would go for a cleanup.
If you decide to give cleaning it up a go we’re here for you!