Getting the Frogs Out, Kids In

[Xentex]

Did anyone lose their lunch while removing said deer? ewwwww

...I would wait until the pool about about half full before you start doing the CYA as we don't want to mess up your nice, clean plaster.

I really want to see the pool clean PLEASE!

Is that a slide over on the right side? Is it a beach entry pool? Oh what fun this will be to get it up and running.

Here's what it looks like almost empty, I'm going to start refilling tomorrow. Thanks for the tip on the CYA and testing out the filter with the hose in the skimmer. Didn't think of that!

That is indeed a slide on the right. At least it appears to be. Unfortunately the plaster on it is fairly broken up and rough, so I think that's going to need some work after everything else is running.

 

[Xentex]

Sig added

 

[PoolguyinCT]

- that’s not a sand filter. Post a photo of the whole equipment pad, please.

- 3 pumps, is concerning, the anti entrapment mechanisms need to be qualified. Since a spa , pool, & slide I suspect the slide has a dedicated pump & need to know it is safe.

- pool has been out of service a minimum of 3 years? Replace drain grates, ANSI service life is 5 years.

- fill pool as quickly as possible, hydrostatic relief ports in a shallow end, are indicative of a major dewatering job during construction.

 

[Xentex]

The pumps are 1) a main pump [WF-28], 2) a pump for the slide water [WF-26], 3) pump for spa jets [I think, WF-28], and 4) a vacuum booster pump. That's left to right in the photo below.

Yes, I'm replacing all the drain grates. As for the relief port in shallow end, I'm told that's just how this builder always builds them. I'm on top of a hill so I don't expect I have a hydrostatic pressure issue, but I suppose it's possible. I'm filling tomorrow though.

Here are a couple photos of the pumps and plumbing.

 

[PoolguyinCT]

The pumps are 1) a main pump, 2) a pump for the slide water, 3) pump for spa jets [I think], and 4) a vacuum booster pump.

Yes, I'm replacing all the drain grates. As for the relief port in shallow end, I'm told that's just how this builder always builds them. I'm on top of a hill so I don't expect I have a hydrostatic pressure issue, but I suppose it's possible. I'm filling tomorrow though.

Here are a couple photos of the pumps and plumbing.

-I see the pool is built high in the photo, I did think the relief placement odd with a high pool, so I’m glad it’s builders habit & not a remedy.

Builder A/S or blue haven?? - I’m just nosey.

- We’re is the slide pump getting it’s water?

- can I see the manifolds in front of equipment?

Btw - your pool was super gross & It takes a lot for me to say that!!!

 

[Xentex]

Yes, it was gross indeed. The more I messed with it the more I realized how bad it was.

The builder of the pool was Pebble Pools in Royarsford, PA. Built in 2001.

I don't have very good pictures from the front of the equipment, but here are a couple.

This is the pump, filter portion. The inlets left to right are spa, bottom drain, skimmers (there are 2). Return then runs underground over to the heater, which was the plumbing in the prior photo. In that one it's spa on the left, two for the pool.

You can see a little of the other plumbing in the photo below, but not much. But there's not much more to see, actually. Comes up out of the ground, through the pump, back down into the ground. I'm guessing the check valve is in a loop to the spa. The spa has 4 floor drains, I'm guessing two are on the main pump/heater loop and the other two maybe just on that pump with the check valve. You can see the blower there on the top right. There are also two pipes running up above pool level that just hold the wiring junctions for the pool and spa lights (which are small 120V Sta-Rite Sunlights, 1 in spa, two in pool. I'll probably replace them with color LEDs after everything's running.) I can't tell where that third pump is drawing from or sending to. There's a water outlet at the top of the slide, so I'm guessing the out goes there. But not sure where the in comes from.

 

[Dirk]

Most pics are not visible. More allowed is one of the many perks of supporting TFP by becoming a member...

 

[riley00dog]

Can’t see the pics either.

 

[ramsfan]

This is a great thread! I had a similar situation with a foreclosed house we bought 3 years ago. Luckily the pool had been winterized (probably several years prior), but there was no cover, tons of garbage, frogs, and the water was a thick green pea soup kind of consistency. It will be very rewarding when you are finished. By the way, I am super jealous of the slide and the zero entry! Also, the kids and their friends will LOVE the diving board. Looks like a tremendous pool.

One thing I thought I would mention is to be prepared for even if the pump and filter work, that these things might fail soon, as the neglect and what not from the prior owners take its toll. In fact the three pumps shown in your picture look to be in pretty bad shape. My pump lasted a bit over a year, and then it failed and I replaced it with a variable speed pump (which saved me huge money on electric anyway). The heater made it a little longer, but that failed as well.

Looking at your photos, it look like you actually have three pumps (I am guessing one for the pool, one for the hot tub, and one for the slide, but not sure), and the a fourth pump for what is likely a side pressure hose for a pool cleaner. We had the same side pressure thing (it must have been popular ten plus years ago. I made the mistake of buying a pool vacuum for it, which never really did the job. That was a waste of $600, I only used it for a few times, then the pump for it failed. I then invested in a standalone pool robot. You can also simply brush and vacuum yourself for a while, but that might get old and time consuming.

Some advice on the water - the two basic items that are critical are chlorine (FC) and pH. For the most part, the other things you will test are all designed to make the FC and pH easier to maintain and manage. For example, CYA is there to slow down the ultraviolet light breakdown of your chlorine, etc...

While your pool is filling I would not worry too much about your CYA. Chlorine and Muriatic Acid are pretty cheap, and I think you need some good circulation to get some of the other things to mix into your water, and you don't have your pump and filter tested out yet.


Good luck!

 

[kimkats]

This is so weird...........two are talking as if they can see those pics but two others and myself cannot see them! How are you sharing them?

Kim

 

[PoolguyinCT]

This is so weird...........two are talking as if they can see those pics but two others and myself cannot see them! How are you sharing them?

Kim

Tin foil hats!

 

[PoolguyinCT]

Yes, it was gross indeed. The more I messed with it the more I realized how bad it was.

The builder of the pool was Pebble Pools in Royarsford, PA. Built in 2001.

I don't have very good pictures from the front of the equipment, but here are a couple.

This is the pump, filter portion. The inlets left to right are spa, bottom drain, skimmers (there are 2). Return then runs underground over to the heater, which was the plumbing in the prior photo. In that one it's spa on the left, two for the pool.

You can see a little of the other plumbing in the photo below, but not much. But there's not much more to see, actually. Comes up out of the ground, through the pump, back down into the ground. I'm guessing the check valve is in a loop to the spa. The spa has 4 floor drains, I'm guessing two are on the main pump/heater loop and the other two maybe just on that pump with the check valve. You can see the blower there on the top right. There are also two pipes running up above pool level that just hold the wiring junctions for the pool and spa lights (which are small 120V Sta-Rite Sunlights, 1 in spa, two in pool. I'll probably replace them with color LEDs after everything's running.) I can't tell where that third pump is drawing from or sending to. There's a water outlet at the top of the slide, so I'm guessing the out goes there. But not sure where the in comes from.

Let’s see where the pipes terminate in the pool.

You can send water from the pump suction pipes from the filter area too...

Busy day- I’ll catch up w you later.

 

[kne]

This is so weird...........two are talking as if they can see those pics but two others and myself cannot see them! How are you sharing them?

Kim

I can't see them either, I just see a blue drawing of a photo with a crack in it.

 

[PoolguyinCT]

I’m not a TFP supporter, I am viewing with free iOS Tapatalk

 

[riley00dog]

I’m not a TFP supporter, I am viewing with free iOS Tapatalk

Same, but I have no problem viewing other people’s photos. Strange.

 

[Xentex]

Same, but I have no problem viewing other people’s photos. Strange.

I'm not sure what's going on with the photos and why they're not showing for some people. I haven't figured out how to fix it yet.

In the mean time, here's a link to all of them on google photos. Pool Photos - Google Photos


I spent most of my day getting the main filter pump operating. The other three kicked right on, but of course the one that wouldn't start is the one I need. After a lot of taking things apart and putting them back together it's running, but I ended up snapping heads off a couple old very rusted screws in the process. So I'll be replacing that shortly, but hopefully it has enough life left in it to get things circulating.

Of course my other problem is I haven't been able to get the top off the filter. I watched a YouTube video where the guy suggested taking off the collar, getting the pump going, and let the pump pressure push it off. Can't say I'm super excited to try that, but haven't been able to get it to budge otherwise so I guess that's next.

 

[riley00dog]

What an improvement the clean made. You have one beautiful pool lurking underneath that neglect. I think once you’re done you are going to be very happy with the result.

 

[Dirk]

Of course my other problem is I haven't been able to get the top off the filter. I watched a YouTube video where the guy suggested taking off the collar, getting the pump going, and let the pump pressure push it off. Can't say I'm super excited to try that, but haven't been able to get it to budge otherwise so I guess that's next.

This is out of my wheelhouse, but I'll post this warning until someone that knows more sorts it out. I was specifically told by a pool pro to make sure there was NO possibility of the pump coming on while opening the filter. He told me serious harm could result from the pump's pressure launching a fllter's top into a person. I have no idea if that's true, or to what type of filter(s) that applies. What I do know is that using a machine that is capable of generating the kind of energy a pool pump is capable of, in a way it was not intended to be used, is not a good idea.

 

[Big G]

Wow! What a story on this one. Your screen name should be Deer Hunter. LOL

Congrats in order for tackling this one. Look forward to seeing pics with crystal clear shimmering water.

 

[PoolguyinCT]

This is out of my wheelhouse, but I'll post this warning until someone that knows more sorts it out. I was specifically told by a pool pro to make sure there was NO possibility of the pump coming on while opening the filter. He told me serious harm could result from the pump's pressure launching a fllter's top into a person. I have no idea if that's true, or to what type of filter(s) that applies. What I do know is that using a machine that is capable of generating the kind of energy a pool pump is capable of, in a way it was not intended to be used, is not a good idea.

Your guy is correct, I’ve seen a tank shoot over a roof line... scary!!!