First time pool owner

[Icicle278]

Hello all,

Just beginning to learn about owning a pool here. I'm in Massachusetts, and inherited a gunite pool which hasn't been used by humans in probably a decade. Still working on getting it clear of debris (leaves, branches, muck and other junk), then on to pressure testing each of the supply/return piping lines, and then will be figuring out the extent of refinishing necessary (and consulting gunite pool builders / refinishers). Also need to select a chlorinating system, and do some research on wireless control systems so ideally I can manage the equipment (pump, chlorinator, pool and deck lights) from my phone and/or from inside my house. I also want to put in a heater at some point just to make the pool more comfortable during the summer season, and am leaning towards an electric heat pump (gas line is 150 ft away and I don't want to be filling propane tanks). Looking forward to learning a lot here and having this forum as a resource.

Aaron

 

[amwillg]

Hi Aaron, Welcome to TFP!

While working on cleaning the soon-to-be-usable pool, make sure you start getting comfortable with the basics.

Get a test kit ordered: Recommend Taylor K-2006c or TF-100 (tftestkits.net) Test Kits Compared
-Practice by testing the water source that you will use to fill the pool. This is good info to have.
-Rely on this testing instead of taking samples to the store. Better, more consistent results.

Read up in Pool School under pool care basics.
-Specifically ABCs of Pool Water ChemistryRecommended LevelsFC/CYA Levels
-Pool Math app helps with recommendations to stay within these parameters.

Don't hesitate to ask questions. That's what this forum is for.

Chlorination: 2 main options
1. Liquid chlorine manually added daily or by timed pump injection
2. Salt water chlorine generator (SWCG or SWG). A "Salt water pool".
Steer clear of tabs. They continuously increase CYA (the chorine stabilizer) and make it difficult to sanitize your pool in the long run.

POST PICS OF THE PROGRESS!!! People around here love seeing swamp to pool conversions.

 

[Icicle278]

Thanks amw, it truly was a swamp, getting better little by little!

 

[amwillg]

Once you get it going, that is going to be one gorgeous pool

 

[Oly]

The "before and after pics" are going to be incredible.
I hope the rest of your new home has received more maintenance in the 10 years prior. Yes this pool project will be major but the years of relaxing next to your beautiful refurbished pool and reflecting on a job well done is priceless.

 

[Icicle278]

Well it took a long summer waiting for the job to start, but the pool has finally been renovated! Don't yet have a full panorama of the entire pool finished, as we have been keeping it covered in plastic to defend the new finish against all the leaves and acorns falling. We chose to go with Wet Edge Signature Matrix in Crystal Blue, with River Rock Anthracite 6x6 tile at the waterline, and used some leftover 1x3 tiles (part of a herringbone mosaic) from one of our bathroom renovations on the steps and the bench. Can't wait until summer 2022 to open it up and jump in! I'll post some more pics of the whole thing finished once the plastic comes off.

 

[Icicle278]

Update! The pool is back to life and it is amazing!