Leaving the pool for a long time...

[sande005]

Converted to SWCG and a proper cartridge filter this spring, per TFP advice in other threads. The change in clarity, and reduction in maintenance time (and chemicals) has been nothing short of astouding! I've only spent about 2 hrs on the pool care in the last month! Empty skimmers, quick brushing, light vac twice, checking chemistry, adding some acid once in a while. But that may be coming to an end...
Will be traveling on an extended trip for over 3 weeks in August. Not keen on leaving things running. No one around that I would trust to stay on top of it. Nor will I have much communication ability.
Besides hot weather, we typically get thunderstorms. I anticipate some leaves, etc, - but not a lot. If rains do get really heavy, lots of worms in the pool. Will be frog/toad season, so expect some dead bodies. (I do have floating pads that can allow them to exit the pool if they can figure it out, but not all do). And sometimes other life forms like mice/voles/even rare rabbits and moles....
The winter mesh cover is a bear to put on/take off, so would like to avoid that, but could do it.

Any advice on ways to lessen the potential return to face a green swamp? I do have a good stock of liquid chlorine, as well as a pretty full bucket of 3" tabs.

 

[ajw22]

Do you have someone coming by to check on your house who can check the skimmers and clean them if necessary? Can your skimmers go for 3 weeks without clogging this time of year? That is your biggest risk in keeping your pool running.

If your skimmers will not clog then your SWG and pump should keep your pool going for 3 weeks.

There is always the risk something will fail and you will come back to a mess. Whatever it is can be cleaned up.

Or you can shut everything down, put SLAM level FC in the pool, put your cover on and come back to a known situation.

3 weeks in not a long time. I have left my pool for 4 weeks or more and it usually works out fine. I have a housekeeper who checks the house and pool periodically.

 

[Jimrahbe]

005,

That is why you have a SWCG.

Just leave it running and everything will be fine.

You can block the floating stuff from getting in your skimmers if you wanted.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Bperry]

Converted to SWCG and a proper cartridge filter this spring, per TFP advice in other threads. The change in clarity, and reduction in maintenance time (and chemicals) has been nothing short of astouding! I've only spent about 2 hrs on the pool care in the last month! Empty skimmers, quick brushing, light vac twice, checking chemistry, adding some acid once in a while. But that may be coming to an end...
Will be traveling on an extended trip for over 3 weeks in August. Not keen on leaving things running. No one around that I would trust to stay on top of it. Nor will I have much communication ability.
Besides hot weather, we typically get thunderstorms. I anticipate some leaves, etc, - but not a lot. If rains do get really heavy, lots of worms in the pool. Will be frog/toad season, so expect some dead bodies. (I do have floating pads that can allow them to exit the pool if they can figure it out, but not all do). And sometimes other life forms like mice/voles/even rare rabbits and moles....
The winter mesh cover is a bear to put on/take off, so would like to avoid that, but could do it.

Any advice on ways to lessen the potential return to face a green swamp? I do have a good stock of liquid chlorine, as well as a pretty full bucket of 3" tabs.

If you have a main drain and can shut the skimmers off that may be an option as well. I ran mine like that for a few weeks while doing some tile and skimmer work.

 

[sande005]

If you have a main drain and can shut the skimmers off that may be an option as well. I ran mine like that for a few weeks while doing some tile and skimmer work.

Now that may be an option! I'll have to give it a test run.
Very old pool, and I suspect I have an small air leak on one of the skimmer lines. Small bubbles in the pump, and I have to bleed the filter every few days, not a lot, but more if I don't do it for a while. Stops when I shut off that skimmer. (the other skimmer is not showing problems, but has been repaired with fiberglass and epoxy, so not trusted. Delaying until that one goes, then will have the big project of replacing both....). Hence why am thinking of turning it all off. But just leaving the drain open may be a good solution.