Can't stand the pool store...trying to close...PLEASE HELP!!!

[Ecjaustin]

Hey all, thanks in advance for any replies. I have a 30k gallon, in ground salt pool. I need to close it, the leaves are taking over. I followed the pool store's advice last year for closing and still spent $500 to open it this year. I just went to have my water tested, and they want me to balance, and then close. I don't understand the point. I just want to close it and be done for the next 6 months. They told me the whole reason to balance and then close is so you don't have to spend $500 in the spring. I told them I did that last year (per their instructions) and still spent $500. They said, wel, you need to open early to get ahead of the heat. I told them I opened it in March...then the conversation basically ended.

So - my question - can I just clean it and put the cover on and be done? Do I need to put anything in it?

Thank you!!!

 

[mknauss]

Welcome to the forum!

Start here -- Pool School - Closing an In Ground Pool

Do you have your own test kit. Must have that with a FAS-DPD chlorine test. TF100 or Taylor K2006C are the recommended kits.

Do you follow the [FC/CYA][/FC/CYA]?

Can you fill out a signature? See Pool School - Getting Started

Take care.

 

[Catanzaro]

Balancing your water prior to closing should be fairly simple. You will need to start testing your own water and not use pool stores. Where did you spend $500 in the spring, and on what? Just curious. Does this include the opening from a PB, plus chemicals, etc.? Thanks and please add your signature.

Pool School - Read This BEFORE You Post

 

[PoolguyinCT]

The point of balancing water prior to closing is not to chew & scale plaster or wrinkle/fade liner

 

[YippeeSkippy]

The point of balancing water prior to closing is not to chew & scale plaster or wrinkle/fade liner

Good reminder! Six months of closed pool and bad chemistry can certainly be a problem. Folks might only be thinking about chlorine and algae, but calcium and pH being out of whack for long covered periods sure could mess with a pool finish....!

Maddie

 

[mknauss]

Ecjaustin

You had the same questions last year on this forum and received the same advice. Did you follow the advice last year?

Take care.

 

[Ecjaustin]

All - thank you for the replies. I understand now that I need to balance before I close it so I don't cause any damage. I'm just frustrated because I am tired of spending a ton of money, but that is the burden of owning a pool.

 

[wkillham]

All - thank you for the replies. I understand now that I need to balance before I close it so I don't cause any damage. I'm just frustrated because I am tired of spending a ton of money, but that is the burden of owning a pool.

What are you spending that money on? Before closing, I check my levels and adjust just like any other weekend. Next I lower the water level a little below skimmers and blow out and plug the lines. That’s it! In the spring I remove the cover, add water, start filter and balance. Generally the only thing I need to do is lower the ph and add a few bags of salt. That’s usually no more than $20-$30. I think I want to be your pool boy if you’re willing to drop $500 twice a year on opening/closing. I don’t think I spend that in an entire season!