First Pool Newbie

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erikbranson

erikbranson

Active member
Apr 20, 2020
29
Seaford, VA
Hello everyone!

We bought our house in November and the pool has been covered since then. Previous owner had already scheduled an opening with the pool company and they came yesterday. I was unprepared! I have never owned or maintained a pool before. I am hoping to involve my son, get educated, do it the right way and hopefully save some cash in the process.

I have been reading a lot of articles in the pool school and right away I realize that I was unprepared to open the pool. The guys that opened the pool removed the cover, backwashed the pump and some other things and then asked "do you want us to add some chlorine"? The previous owner had left behind some chemicals, but the only chlorine was 4 or 5 1lb bags of Clorox Pool Shock. I think they used it all. I realize now after reading all day on this site yesterday that these bags were probably some sort of 4in1 or whatnot and NOT what I want. That being said, I went today and purchased straight liquid pool chlorine(10%) and the other chemicals recommended from "pool school". I have ordered a TF-100 test kit and I should have it within a couple of days.

When they left, they turned the pump off and said to wait until the pool was halfway up the skimmer basket before turning it on (needed more water). A few hours later I shut off the water and started the pump and I have been running it ever since. When the pool was first uncovered it was slightly green, but it improved greatly right away and by yesterday afternoon it already looks great.

Sooo...I am sure that I need to wait until I get my test kit to do anything major, but my question is this: What should I do in the meantime? According to some left over test strips (I know they cant be considered accurate) the FC level is high, or at least greater than 10. Obviously no expert, but when i stick my hand in there to test the water it certainly seems like it has a lot of chlorine. Should I continue to add some chlorine each day until I can test? Should I continue to run the pump all day?

My other question: They primed the pump when they came and showed me how to backwash and whatnot. When I went to turn the pump on 3 hours later, there was no water in the pump basket (where you prime it). As soon as the pump came on, this basket filled and everything appeared normal. Is this normal? Are you supposed to prime it every time or only when it has been sitting for a long while?

Should be in my signature, but it is a 20k gal inground vinyl pool with a 1.5HP single speed pump and a sand filter.

Thanks a ton!
 
You are on the path to a TFP pool! Great job on getting a test kit coming your way.
I would suggest adding about 1/2 gallon of your liquid chlorine every day until you get your test kit. Be sure the pump is running and pour the liquid chlorine at the return where the water comes back into the pool. Slowly.

Once you get your kit, run the full set of tests and post them up here. Consider getting PoolMath. It will make tracking your data and determining chemical additions much easier.

Your pump should not drain each time your turn it off. But as long as it primes quickly and the water flow is good, we can deal with that later.
 
You do not need to run the pump all day. Two or three hours a day is fine unless you need to skim the surface. Be sure it runs for a good 30 minutes after adding your liquid chlorine.
 
Thanks for the info! I have a return in the shallow end and one in the deep end. Does it matter which return I use to add chemical? Also, should the returns be pointing slightly upward where the jet breaks the surface or more downward?
 
It doesn't matter which return you use when adding chemicals. The important thing is that the chemicals added have a moving stream of water to help it dissipate into the pool.

Return jets can be adjusted either way up or down, owner preference really. I wouldn't have them point to much upward though. If it's strong enough, it may cause aeration on the surface which tends in increase the pH. But a gentle ripple is fine.
 
Got my test kit and ran some tests. I did the Chlorine and CYA tests twice:
CYA - 98 (2nd run using diluted method came to 110)
FC - 56
CC -1
CH - 500
TA - 100
PH - 8

So right away I am concerned with the CYA....the chlorine is really high as well. Took 112 drops! Any chance the CYA is inaccurate because of the high chlorine or am I looking at a drain/refill?

Thanks for any help.
 
That is unfortunate. :( I am disappointed that the pool company started me off this way...also disappointed that I was not prepared when the pool was opened, but here we are.

I am concerned about draining the pool as my waste line feeds into a saltwater creek. I guess I could wait until the Chlorine gets very low. Any idea how long that might take? Also, I am concerned about your comment with the liner. Supposedly this liner was new last year. Hopefully we haven't damaged it already....its a lot to take in.

I really appreciate the help and insight.
 

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Ok, read the article you linked a bit more closely: I cant use my pump anyhow because it wont work below the skimmer. Submersible pumps to the sewage cleanout seems like the best route. I already have a couple of pumps and I don't need to worry about the chlorinated water going straight to the marine environment.

Wish I didnt have to do it, but it seems like the best thing to do right? Might as well do it now while the water is already cold and the season is early.

mknauss, thanks for your help...just trying to get it right!
 
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Good plan. Be sure to review how to set up the sump pump and water hose. You need the temperature of your pool water and fill water.
 
erikbranson said:
That is unfortunate. :( I am disappointed that the pool company started me off this way...also disappointed that I was not prepared when the pool was opened, but here we are.

I am concerned about draining the pool as my waste line feeds into a saltwater creek. I guess I could wait until the Chlorine gets very low. Any idea how long that might take? Also, I am concerned about your comment with the liner. Supposedly this liner was new last year. Hopefully we haven't damaged it already....its a lot to take in.

I really appreciate the help and insight.
Click to expand...
But you are here now and we can help you avoid this in the future. You're going to love your pool and taking care of it. Your liner should be fine. They can take a good whooping as long as we're not consistantly whooping it. Again... you're here now. You are in good hands.

Definitely get your drain refill started. Its painful but it's a pain you'll learn from. Welcome to TFP. Do you have any pics of your pool?
 
So, just to clarify, the water exchange method is the recommended route? The water in the pool is fairly cold. I have an old pool thermometer which is showing 65 degrees. I plan on buying a newer thermometer today. I would imagine that the water from the hose is also fairly cold, but I have not measured that yet.

According to my calculations based on my last water and waste bill, I think 10k gallons of water will cost about $60 and the sanitation bill will be $100, so ~$160. I know in the overall scheme of things this is not a huge amount, I just don't want to waste it so I want to make sure I get this process correct. :) My skimmer is in the middle of the pool, so perhaps if I decide to fill from the shallow I should consider the bucket on the steps method.

Again, I really appreciate all of your help!
 
Rate sound good. Water temperature is interesting. Normally buried water lines keep the water cooler than the exposed pool water.

Make your choice the best you can on whether you pump from the deep end and add at the shallow end or vice versa.

Other choice is to drain 18-24" and refill. May take several rounds of that to do what you need. So more water.
 
My reply on the water temperature is aligned with the time of year. You have to know your area. Here in the desert, the water in the summer out of the tap is alot warmer than our pool water.
 
I'm concerned about draining/refilling because the pool already has a few wrinkles in the shallow end, very high water table and lots of rain lately. The exchange idea sounds great but I am not sure about which end to fill vs pump.

Also, should I take into account any rain in the forecast for this process?
 

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