First pool Tampa area - Plumbing question

[Newdude]

Oh yeah. Tons of other real world variables to consider. Many folks way up north go with HPs with no gas available or incredibly high gas prices.

For those, like myself who went HP, I just had to deal with when it didn’t perform optimally (expensive in the early/late season), or didn’t work at all early/late. The times it did work were better than nothing, for sure.

And likewise, some in the south go Gas if that’s the best overall choice for their properties. It works amazing there too, but they cost a lot more to run in warm climates where the 3X BTUs aren’t necessarily needed to overcome the cold like up north. They’ll be burning the same BTUs the whole season.

 

[KCNM]

FWIW, I had a close relative in Austin TX who only has electric and they have a heat pump to cool and heat their home. During last February's freeze they kept power but the heat pump AC/heater unit could not keep up and they suffered for 3 days. A HP for the pool is different than for a home but the functionality is the same, it really needs to be warm climate to perform best.

That's why heat pump systems are supposed to have heater coils, usually labeled as "emergency heat" on the thermostat. Sure you drop to a mere 100% efficiency, but at least you keep away the frostbite... Even here in Tampa Bay they still install the heating coils.

@TampaKathy Looks like the water finally blued up in your picture!

 

[TampaKathy]

Yes, it did blue up! So one of the pool guys came by today (minor miracle) and I forget exactly what we were discussing but he said something like, "well, no one's getting in this 68 degree water." Ummmm. No one?

 

[kimkats]

He sure did not have a clue who he was talking to!!! hehe

 

[TampaKathy]

Two things got accomplished today...I should have bought lottery tickets...lights are now working and my automation is set up! Oh and the warranty guy finally came out to see what I have been complaining about with the plaster job...he's going to send the plaster people out to look at it...he thinks they will try sanding it...I'm afraid that will look worse. And the warranty guy also said, "wow, there's still a lot to do here." You don't say.

 

[HermanTX]

Two things got accomplished today...I should have bought lottery tickets...lights are now working and my automation is set up! Oh and the warranty guy finally came out to see what I have been complaining about with the plaster job...he's going to send the plaster people out to look at it...he thinks they will try sanding it...I'm afraid that will look worse. And the warranty guy also said, "wow, there's still a lot to do here." You don't say.
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Looks great. Remember that the tortoise won the race!

 

[TampaKathy]

Had "pool school" today...learned about equipment, chemicals, etc.

Pool Guy: Once a week take water to pool store to be tested and then do whatever they tell you.

Me: Okay!

Also me:

 

[kevin76]

Omfg...just the thought of having to get in my car, take a sample to the store and wait in line... every frigging week forever is painful. I can't believe people still do that in 2021!

 

[Newdude]

Omfg...just the thought of having to get in my car, take a sample to the store and wait in line... every frigging week forever is painful.

Many people need the paper trail to keep the warranty intact for the finish. It’s not so bad. You can always use a flamingo thermometer/ beach ball / tube of lube, etc anyway.

Just smile and nod at their chemistry suggestions and tell them that you just happen to have 3 lbs of XYZ chemical at home and will go right home to add it like they say. Next week they’ll say the chemistry is off again, but as luck would have it, you have 41 oz of whatever liquid you need this time. Hey !! That beer cozy is cute…… $3 ??? I’ll take two.

 

[TampaKathy]

Many people need the paper trail to keep the warranty intact for the finish. It’s not so bad. You can always use a flamingo thermometer/ beach ball / tube of lube, etc anyway.

Just smile and nod at their chemistry suggestions and tell them that you just happen to have 3 lbs of XYZ chemical at home and will go right home to add it like they say. Next week they’ll say the chemistry is off again, but as luck would have it, you have 41 oz of whatever liquid you need this time. Hey !! That beer cozy is cute…… $3 ??? I’ll take two.

Yeah, the pool guy said I need to go once a week for the first month and then monthly...which doesn't sound bad but I know myself...probably won't happen, lol...or at least not for long....hmmm, how'd you know...41 oz is exactly what I had to put in today!

 

[Newdude]

hmmm, how'd you know...41 oz is exactly what I had to put in today

Even a broken clock is right twice a day.

*patiently waits 12 hours*.

 

[TampaKathy]

So I was told at Pool School yesterday that I was now in charge of the chemicals...ok, great. Then today the start-up guy comes by...and put stuff in the pool...so I asked him what he did...of course it's not really in sync with the Wet Edge start up guide so I guess I will be undoing that later by throwing more chemicals in, lol. He also said that the PB sent him b/c there were 2 things on my Punch List that related to them...yes, there were...they were the only things that have been taken care of in the past 2 weeks, gah! I even gave them an updated typed list yesterday in the order that I think makes the most sense...super easy to follow.

 

[ajw22]

What did the startup guy do that you think you need to undo?

 

[TampaKathy]

What did the startup guy do that you think you need to undo?

I'll test first...but he said my Ph was too low at 7.3 so he put something in to raise it (I forget exactly what he said) but the Wet Edge guide says 7.2 to 7.6 (Ph will probably still be in range so maybe nothing here) and he said my TA was too low at 110...but it's supposed to be between 80 and 100. It started at 240 and I had gotten it down to 110 with MA. It's probably fine, just thought it was kinda funny...he's undoing my work to get the TA down! Step away from the pool!

 

[ajw22]

Lock the gates to your pool.

 

[TampaKathy]

Lock the gates to your pool.

I guess I could do that...they still have stuff to do but since I WFH, I could let them in as needed.

 

[JamesW]

Tell them that you want a call before anyone shows up and you want to know what they intend to do before they do anything.

 

[TampaKathy]

Tell them that you want a call before anyone shows up and you want to know what they intend to do before they do anything.

It should be fine now...the start-up people came out 4 times...they usually only do 3 trips. I tested and TA is up a little but everything else is fine. Oh, I should make sure he didn't put another puck in the skimmer, lol.

 

[KCNM]

My guess is he just added baking soda, since that would raise both PH and TA. Pretty tame in the realm of chemicals that could have been added. Certainly not as bad as poor convan23. Though it does suck to have some of your effort erased. Have you been tracking your CSI?

I also second locking your gate. I think I said it before, but I quickly found out that if I had my gate unlocked, any and every sub would just go straight back without even ringing the bell to tell me they were there. Since I WFH right now also, I made sure that gate was locked so that I could keep tabs on what was happening when.

 

[TampaKathy]

My guess is he just added baking soda, since that would raise both PH and TA. Pretty tame in the realm of chemicals that could have been added. Certainly not as bad as poor convan23. Though it does suck to have some of your effort erased. Have you been tracking your CSI?

I also second locking your gate. I think I said it before, but I quickly found out that if I had my gate unlocked, any and every sub would just go straight back without even ringing the bell to tell me they were there. Since I WFH right now also, I made sure that gate was locked so that I could keep tabs on what was happening when.

Yeah, most subs just go right back...doesn't bother me. I have glanced at the CSI and it's been good.