My pool guy vs what I'm learning here

[icanlearnthis]

Hello everyone ,
New member-long time reader here. I've been dying to ask this question and hoping to finally get my answer here.
Since owning our first house with pool and hiring pool service guys to maintain our pool, one thing I have seen pool guys do in common: turn-on pump, empty baskets, brush walls (not floor), leave pump on all day....sometimes they will check chemicals and when they do, they only check chlorine and ph and thats it! all of this performed within 5-10min tops.

When I try to study about pool chemistry there's a lot more to it than what the pool guys are doing. I want to maintain our own pool and want to be confident enough that I won't be doing less or more than necessary.

I check my chemicals PH=7.5 Chlorine=4.0 Akalinity=300! water is clear.

Is there a secret or pool guys are just highly experienced and can just eyeball it if there's a chemical imbalance?

 

[woodyp]

Most couldn't drink a pitcher full and tell ya'. Trust your own GOOD testing.

 

[jblizzle]

Welcome to TFP!!!

I would postulate that the pool guys are just lucky and do not really understand the chemistry. It works well enough, until it doesn't and goes green and then they just throw a bunch of stuff in the water to hopefully clear it up.

Remember clear water does not automatically mean it is sanitized and safe and preventing disease transfer between people.

 

[Donldson]

Welcome to TFP!

IMO any pool service that doesn't regularly test and log your chemical levels is playing chicken with your pool. Something could go wrong and it could be weeks before they would realize it. But when companies charge as little as possible to be competitive and make up for that in quantity I guess something has to give. 50 pools a day doesn't leave much time to test.

 

[Teald024]

When I try to study about pool chemistry there's a lot more to it than what the pool guys are doing. I want to maintain our own pool and want to be confident enough that I won't be doing less or more than necessary.

I check my chemicals PH=7.5 Chlorine=4.0 Akalinity=300! water is clear.

Is there a secret or pool guys are just highly experienced and can just eyeball it if there's a chemical imbalance?

Hello and Welcome to TFP!!

* I suppose if the water is green/black/smells, then add more chlorine...
* If there is scale on the walls, too much calcium in the water...
* Etching of grout, not enough calcium...

but by that point the damage is already done and $$$$$$$$$$ to fix the issues. There is no gut feel for what the pool needs. Maybe over time they remember what that particular pool "needs". It takes testing of FC, CC, pH, TA, CH, and CYA to keep a pool clean, sanitized and happy.

Do yourself a huge favor and get a good drop based test kit like the TF-100 (my favorite) or the Taylor K-2006C. With this kit and the information in Pool School, you will have all the info you need to take care of your pool.

*Extra points to you if you can figure out why the 3 statements above are wrong solutions to the issue.

 

[icanlearnthis]

Welcome to TFP!!!

I would postulate that the pool guys are just lucky and do not really understand the chemistry. It works well enough, until it doesn't and goes green and then they just throw a bunch of stuff in the water to hopefully clear it up.

Remember clear water does not automatically mean it is sanitized and safe and preventing disease transfer between people.

Now, I'm more eager to take the pool task on my own. Thanks guys!

 

[icanlearnthis]

* I suppose if the water is green/black/smells, then add more chlorine...
* If there is scale on the walls, too much calcium in the water...
* Etching of grout, not enough calcium...

but by that point the damage is already done and $$$$$$$$$$ to fix the issues. There is no gut feel for what the pool needs. Maybe over time they remember what that particular pool "needs". It takes testing of FC, CC, pH, TA, CH, and CYA to keep a pool clean, sanitized and happy.

Do yourself a huge favor and get a good drop based test kit like the TF-100 (my favorite) or the Taylor K-2006C. With this kit and the information in Pool School, you will have all the info you need to take care of your pool.

*Extra points to you if you can figure out why the 3 statements above are wrong solutions to the issue.

I have a test kit from HD (HDX) that I'm using now. But I'm going to try K-2006C to learn more.

 

[Teald024]

I have a test kit from HD (HDX) that I'm using now. But I'm going to try K-2006C to learn more.

Great to hear. Please be sure to look at this comparison before you decide to purchase. I personally believe the TF-100 has reagent sizes that are better suited for the residential pool owner. You will get great results either way.

 

[YippeeSkippy]

I just want to dispute the "there is no gut feel" and toss out that because I know *my* pool....my gut instinct actually *does* work at times.

If my perfectly clear pool isn't sparkly enough I just know my pH is off. I'll test and yup! My pH will be high and I need a dose of muriatic acid to take it down.

That's the only time my "gut" talks to me though... about the pool, I mean.
....It talks to me a lot about other things. Like when its hangry, or I ate too much....

Maddie

 

[DeanP66]

That HDX kit is ok for the pH and the TA, but it lacks the quality FAS-DPD chlorine test and it has no CYA test nor a CH test. I had originally gotten one of those myself and once I used up all the pH and TA reagents, I ordered a Taylor K2006C kit. This was just before I found TFP. In fact, I was THIS close to ordering a big 75 pound bucket of tablets off the internet, but once I found TFP, I realized that would be a big mistake.

 

[Revlus]

I bought a house and found out who the pool builder was. While doing some work on the house before moving in, (pool was already open so they could sell the house) I just had the pool guys manage it as I couldn't get there often enough and I really didn't know what to do, or have the proper testing kit and chemicals, etc.

He outright told me something to the effect of how he'll "Run it hard and run it hot" because he didn't want problems. That really just meant a test strip, add lots of chlorine, balance PH a bit, and keep the filter on 24/7. Running that single speed 2HP pump all month, 24/7 means an extra $250 on my electric bill!!! AND.... There was no CYA in the pool... so that Chlorine was eaten up in a day or two... but he only came once a week. So... add enough Chlorine to shock again... and keep filtering... etc.etc. Charging me for the maintenance, and then the chemicals on top.

Well to heck with that!! I learned all about proper water chemistry/testing/balancing, etc. and now I'm pretty intimate with my particular pool and what it needs on a daily and weekly basis and am saving a heckuva lotta money... and spending very little time on the chemistry now that I have it all figured out, and only run my pump about 4 hours on non-swimming days, saving so much money.

That is what I see in YOUR NEAR FUTURE!!! Just do your reading here... get over that learning curve.... and you'll be the happiest pool owner on the block.