Heading away for an extended period during summer - best approach to preparing pool for my long absence?

[NathanScrivener]

Hi, we are heading away for an extended period shortly. This is during the warmer and sunnier months of the year. We can leave the SWG and automatic acid doser running but won't be able to test and make adjustments. So we risk the chlorine level dropping too low or rising too high if its not set perfectly.

Is there a recommended approach to how we should leave the pool while we are away? We haven't used algaecide before but I am wondering if we are best to dose the pool with an algaecide and ensure the SWG is set on the low side.

Thanks in advance

 

[reggiehammond]

How long is an "extended period?"

 

[proavia]

How long of an extended period are you talking?

How are you presently testing your pool water (what test kit)?

You will want the SWG to produce slightly jore chlorine daily than the pool will lose.
It would be better to have a vit too much chlorine on your return than to chance the chlorine level getting too low.
You chlorine level is good as long as it is between the minimum and SLAM level based on the CYA.
FC/CYA Levels

 

[ajw22]

How long will you be away for?

What is your CYA level?

FC rising too high is rarely a problem.

I leave my pool for 4 weeks or more. The issue is not chlorination. It is equipment failure, evaporation, and keeping skimmers clean after a storm. I have someone who checks on my house every few days when I am gone and he looks at the pool.

 

[Bvacchiano]

Hi, we are heading away for an extended period shortly. This is during the warmer and sunnier months of the year. We can leave the SWG and automatic acid doser running but won't be able to test and make adjustments. So we risk the chlorine level dropping too low or rising too high if its not set perfectly.

Is there a recommended approach to how we should leave the pool while we are away? We haven't used algaecide before but I am wondering if we are best to dose the pool with an algaecide and ensure the SWG is set on the low side.

Thanks in advance

Typically I leave my FC at 7-8 all year. Slightly higher than the recommended level based on my CYA (i have an SWG). When we go away I bump FC to 13-14 then I set my SWG slightly higher. Having a higher FC isn’t going to hurt anything. Just leave below the SLAM level.
You may just need somebody to dump in some muriaric acid a few times depending on how long you will be gone.
Point is the last thing you want to have happen is to have your FC go down.
Also, I always ensure my salt level in ear the top of the range. 4000-4200 ppm. We get heavy rains here. I’ve had my salt levels go down a 1000 ppm when I’ve been gone. It’s gets too low it won’t make chlorine.
My take anyway.

 

[mgtfp]

A few more details on what has been mentioned already regarding evaporation and skimmers:

One of the most important things when keeping the system running (which is great, as it keeps your SWG going), is too make sure that the pump doesn't run dry.

There are basically two things to consider:

1) Water level:
Make sure that the water level can't drop below the skimmer inlet. If you have an auto fill - great. If not, then you'll need someone to check the water level and top up as required.

3) Skimmer basket:
Depending on leaf load this may fill up quickly and restrict water flow. Have someone to check end empty the skimmer basket, especially after storms.

I built the the skimmer leaf trap (originally to keep ducklings out of the skimmer, but now I also use it for its actual use case) from the link in TFP's skimmer guard article:

Skimmer Guards - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

I also remove the skimmer weir door when going away for longer, and those two measures ensure that my skimmer basket stays empty, despite the crazy leaf load I get.

I call this putting the pool into "survival mode". After the first storm it'll look filthy, but the pump keeps safely running, and as long as there's enough chlorine (go rather higher than lower), algae shouldn't get a chance to settle in.

Don't worry about "high" chlorine as long as there is CYA in the water - only worry about low chlorine when going away.

What are your water parameters?