I live I North Carolina and am having knee replacement surgery on 9/5 so my pool days for this year will end. It will still be quite warm here in September and even into October. Are there are any issues if I close my pool just before my surgery?
Early Pool Close
- Thread starter RVO
- Start date
- May 27, 2021
- 1,289
- Pool Size
- 17000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
A very high likelihood of algae in the spring. If you must close that early then plan to open as early as possible in the spring and be prepared to deal with a SLAM on opening.
Deb04
LifeTime Supporter
- Jul 12, 2008
- 779
- Pool Size
- 19000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
As someone who is 7 mos post op after knee replacement, I can tell you that you will not be able to do anything with your pool post 9/5 through Oct. Unless you have someone else who can do all pool related stuff, close it before 9/5 and just plan on a SLAM when you open.
- Jun 1, 2018
- 16,012
- Pool Size
- 26000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
What is the expected recovery time ? I make it well into Nov in NY before freezing is a thought, and you'd probably make it into December. Even when freezing becomes a thought, they arent deep freezes and simply running the pool is enough if you got a cold week.
I'd soft close and run the pool under the cover. It would stop the fall debris and most of the UV loss. Slam FC would last for weeks and you could direct a helper to add bleach to the skimmer if it needed a top off. We recommend not using the skimmer, but once or twice won't hurt anything.
I'd soft close and run the pool under the cover. It would stop the fall debris and most of the UV loss. Slam FC would last for weeks and you could direct a helper to add bleach to the skimmer if it needed a top off. We recommend not using the skimmer, but once or twice won't hurt anything.
- Jun 1, 2018
- 16,012
- Pool Size
- 26000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
I would do as @Newdude suggests if possible. If not able & you need to fully winterize you can always add some more liquid chlorine later by popping the corner of the cover and throwing a submersible pump in to mix if you can find a helper 
Also, good luck with your knee replacement!
Everyone I know that has had a joint replacement (knee, hip, ankle) has had great success & said recovery was much better than their other previous surgeries on said joints.
I had a brostrom gould procedure on my ankle & was quite immobile for months (casts,wheelchair,knee walker,crutches etc), my neighbor had an ankle replacement & was walking in a week and a half with a boot & went to work! She ordered a knee walker and the dr told her to send it back! She was previously disabled by her ankle problems & was literally walking on the outside of her foot.
Not saying you’ll be out Pooling but hopefully you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the outcome. Be sure to be a good patient & do all your physical therapy!
We’ll be here for you when you get back to pool stuffs.
Also, good luck with your knee replacement!
Everyone I know that has had a joint replacement (knee, hip, ankle) has had great success & said recovery was much better than their other previous surgeries on said joints.
I had a brostrom gould procedure on my ankle & was quite immobile for months (casts,wheelchair,knee walker,crutches etc), my neighbor had an ankle replacement & was walking in a week and a half with a boot & went to work! She ordered a knee walker and the dr told her to send it back! She was previously disabled by her ankle problems & was literally walking on the outside of her foot.
Not saying you’ll be out Pooling but hopefully you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the outcome. Be sure to be a good patient & do all your physical therapy!
We’ll be here for you when you get back to pool stuffs.
Deb04
LifeTime Supporter
- Jul 12, 2008
- 779
- Pool Size
- 19000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
I hope OP’s recovery is quick and smooth and I don’t want to frighten you. Just don’t want to give unrealistic expectations. In my online recovery support group I’ve met many ppl who think they’ll be back to work or making dinner in a week and are very despondent and think there’s something wrong when they can’t. Knee replacement is major surgery and is a painful and long recovery. I’ve had 2. Very unlikely you’ll be back to work sooner than 6 weeks, longer if your job is physical. It’s a much bigger recovery than any other joint replacement. Your dr will probably tell you what to expect. Believe them. I didn’t for my first knee. I thought “I’ve been through all sorts of other surgeries plus childbirth. I’m strong and healthy. I’m always back to work in half the time they say.” I was massively disappointed when what the dr told me to expect was exactly what happened.
Getting on your knees will be impossible for quite a while, 2-4 mos. While I’m cleared to do it and can in a pinch, I still ask my husband to get water samples at 7 mos post op. Getting on my knees and getting back up is still a process.
Assume you won’t be able to touch the pool for 2 mos. If you have someone who can do stuff with your direction, great.
Getting on your knees will be impossible for quite a while, 2-4 mos. While I’m cleared to do it and can in a pinch, I still ask my husband to get water samples at 7 mos post op. Getting on my knees and getting back up is still a process.
Assume you won’t be able to touch the pool for 2 mos. If you have someone who can do stuff with your direction, great.
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I'm sure you already know this, but if you are going to close early, I would add Polyquat 60, It would at least help slow down algae growth over fall and winter.
BMerrill
Gold Supporter
- Mar 8, 2021
- 380
- Pool Size
- 17860
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Turbo Cell (T-CELL-5)
I'm in Eastern NC and do not close my pool.
Have you considered having a family member or friend assist you in maintaining the pool post surgery?
They can start now while you are capable of training them.
Have you considered having a family member or friend assist you in maintaining the pool post surgery?
They can start now while you are capable of training them.