Dormant pool for at least 3 years - what can I save?

[Newdude]

How crappy is this liner? Its the one I can pick up today for $500

Well for starters it can last half as long as the $1k ones to break even.

if it lasted 3 years things should be a lot better and cheaper next time. I saw an article yesterday that lumber futures were down from $1700 to $1000 per whatever board feet they measure that by. So the sky high lumber costs are expected to nose dive soon. Last night at BJs they had full pallets of Lysol, Clorox AND Bjs wipes. Things are looking up everyday.

 

[Newdude]

@Casey and @Mdragger88 know a thing (300 things actually) about ABG liners too.

 

[GCS]

@Newdude @cowboycasey So if I go home, fill up the pool and then fire up the equipment.

Should I hook up the discharge hose to the filter and turn it on to waste first or just let her rip into the pool or what

 

[Newdude]

Should I hook up the discharge hose to the filter and turn it on to waste first or just let her rip into the pool or what

Can the shed get wet ? If you plug the lines, fill the pool, then unplug the lines, gravity will probably blow out whatever crud got gunked up in the pipes.

Blowing it into the pool is no biggie because it’s already a swamp (and you’re replacing the liner and will drain it anyway), but I’d be concerned about sucking too much pipe muck through the already iffy pump.

 

[kimkats]

That liner looks okay to me. I do worry that it is on back order until 6/23.....so really no way to know if it will really show up.

Me? I would turn on your equipment to by pass and see what happens. If it runs if not then $$$ out of the wallet.

Your only real worry is if you let the liner set out of water over many days. If you start the drain on Fiday morning so you can start work on the scooping Friday evening and Saturday morning. Get as much out as you can the start refilling with water and chlorine.

The bleach from Costco and such-make sure it does NOT have clormax or such in it. That stuff is not good for a pool. It can cause foaming

 

[GCS]

That liner looks okay to me. I do worry that it is on back order until 6/23.....so really no way to know if it will really show up.

Me? I would turn on your equipment to by pass and see what happens. If it runs if not then $$$ out of the wallet.

Your only real worry is if you let the liner set out of water over many days. If you start the drain on Fiday morning so you can start work on the scooping Friday evening and Saturday morning. Get as much out as you can the start refilling with water and chlorine.

The bleach from Costco and such-make sure it does NOT have clormax or such in it. That stuff is not good for a pool. It can cause foaming

Liner is a local sale from someone who bought the wrong kind so its a done deal as long as I show up.

I guess I should go home and take pics of everything and let you guys consult from there while its filling which will take a while I know since its probably only 1/2 full now.

 

[cowboycasey]

@Newdude @cowboycasey So if I go home, fill up the pool and then fire up the equipment.

Should I hook up the discharge hose to the filter and turn it on to waste first or just let her rip into the pool or what

hmmm, if it is half full I would drain it and get as much out then fill it up.. But you can also fill it up and see if the pump works now... flip a coin and see what wins...

Put the filter on recirculate like @kimkats said and let it rip

 

[GCS]

hmmm, if it is half full I would drain it and get as much out then fill it up.. But you can also fill it up and see if the pump works now... flip a coin and see what wins...

Put the filter on recirculate like @kimkats said and let it rip

I guess in theory maybe I could shove the hose down the skimmer box running full out and just turn the pump/filter on briefly to see if it runs then go the drain, clean, refill from there.

If it powers up ok if not then I know.


And what do I need on hand to clean it - lets assume we have nothing now. Guess what a new net at least?

 

[Selenap]

I think cartridge is the way to go. If the liner is good, maybe drain down to a couple inches, then add fresh water to disperse the sludge and just keep pumping till it runs mostly clear, while maintaining the few inches you need to keep the liner from shrinking? Water ain’t cheap I know but neither is a liner. Perhaps pumping into the pool from the filter using the plumbing to clear it as much as possible. I know nothing about sand filters so idk. If there’s no one around to do a liner change you’re not losing nothing trying to save it.

 

[GCS]

@cowboycasey would this be too small for our pool?

Its priced better at $600

Pentair Clean & Clear Plus Cartridge Filter | 240 Sq. Ft. | 160310

Clean & Clear Plus Filters have a corrosion resistant injection molded filter tank featuring superior strength and reliability.

www.poolsupplyunlimited.com

 

[cowboycasey]

@cowboycasey would this be too small for our pool?

Its priced better at $600

Pentair Clean & Clear Plus Cartridge Filter | 240 Sq. Ft. | 160310

Clean & Clear Plus Filters have a corrosion resistant injection molded filter tank featuring superior strength and reliability.

www.poolsupplyunlimited.com

It depends, how long is your pool opened? Where do you live

 

[cowboycasey]

I have a 320 and mine is open 9 months a year but I have no trees or anything above my pool.. I also have a fence 4 feet away 2 feet higher than the pool so not many thing get into it.. the bugs get out in the skimmer and I never have anything in the pump basket...

I clean my filter 1 time a year and the PSI raises 2 in those 9 months..

With that said if you get the 240 and have 2 sets of filters it takes 15 minutes to change them out and put clean ones in.. So if you had to clean the filters 2 times a year I think you could handle that...

The problem comes in if you get algae and the pressure rises 25% in 3 or 4 days (this is a guess) and then need to change them out WAY faster...

 

[GCS]

I have a 320 and mine is open 9 months a year but I have no trees or anything above my pool.. I also have a fence 4 feet away 2 feet higher than the pool so not many thing get into it.. the bugs get out in the skimmer and I never have anything in the pump basket...

I clean my filter 1 time a year and the PSI raises 2 in those 9 months..

With that said if you get the 240 and have 2 sets of filters it takes 15 minutes to change them out and put clean ones in.. So if you had to clean the filters 2 times a year I think you could handle that...

The problem comes in if you get algae and the pressure rises 25% in 3 or 4 days (this is a guess) and then need to change them out WAY faster...

VA and I would say it can open mid to late April if we are lucky and by October it’s definitely would be no longer in use

Current pics just now. There are issues I was not aware of

 

[Mdragger88]

Just got caught up on this thread- u definitely have a mess to clean up but it’s certainly doable & it sounds like you may at least have some useable equipment for now. You can always change each thing out as needed so just take it one step at a time. There are will be wait time on anything u buy so no need to let that slow your progress if you can begin with what u have.
Its also nice that u have a lead on a liner locally incase this one becomes “injured” in the clean up process or u uncover a major flaw. It may not be the best one but it is available!
Step 1- scoooooop! Draining a little more but not completely may help this process.
There are a few tools that make it easier like a wide mouth leaf net or 2, sturdy poles & possibly some teenagers also some bleach if it makes you feel better about handling the muck. You may kill a couple birds w/ one stone if you can siphon vac debris over the side of the pool while simultaneously draining.
Step 2 - Deep clean the sand filter like in the tutorial linked above &/ or possibly replace the sand if its looking like the deep clean isn’t cutting it.
Refill & try out your equipment .
I’m keeping my fingers crossed for you
Step 3- SLAM Process
While doing so a leaf catcher vac attachment can prevent clogs from any large debris remaining.
As for bleach-
Call around to your local pool stores & see if anyone sells chlorine in large refillable jugs- it’s usually 10-12% & cheaper per gal. As well as convenient compared to clearing the shelves of the local walmart.
The best way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time lol.
Keep us updated as to how things progress- we Swamp to oasis threads oh & pics - did we mention lots of pics!

 

[GCS]

 

[Mdragger88]

We were posting @ the same time - i am not sure what that is attached to the side in your next to last pic. It definitely looks like you’ll need a new bead receiver whether u get a new liner or not. Can u see any rust on the pool wall?
Your equipment just looks dusty/dirty - nothing obvious glaring out. Only when it’s full of water will u know the real story.

 

[GCS]

We were posting @ the same time - i am not sure what that is attached to the side in your next to last pic. It definitely looks like you’ll need a new bead receiver whether u get a new liner or not. Can u see any rust on the pool wall?
Your equipment just looks dusty/dirty - nothing obvious glaring out. Only when it’s full of water will u know the real story.

that was a light that was attached. That area is bad and the top is rusted, bent and mangled. Didn't realize it was so bad actually.

Wife is now saying she might want the pool gone and a hot tub instead -- jeesh I can't win, lol.

We are turning our deck into a screened porch in a few weeks so we may consider the hot tub thing anyway.

 

[cowboycasey]

this part is not looking good, looks like the wall is bent in... It might be able to be fixed but I am not sure...

 

[GCS]

this part is not looking good, looks like the wall is bent in... It might be able to be fixed but I am not sure...

View attachment 346762

yeah I didn't know about this til tonight its bad

Maybe need to check into the hot tub forum now too

 

[Newdude]