*Need Advice on Closing Early*

Jun 22, 2011
36
Knoxville, TN
Pool Size
20000
Surface
Vinyl
Chlorine
Salt Water Generator
SWG Type
CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
*Sorry this is long!!*

This will be our second year closing our pool. Last year, I did everything by the book: waited until the water temp was low (below 60), meticulously cleaned, drained, shocked, added Polyquat. Fall in East TN was warm last year -- so we suffered thru the trees leafing into the pool. There were days where we cleaned the baskets 5+ times. Because of the way the filter is installed, we don't have a good DIY way of blowing out the lines. So I bought the anti-freeze, but had a local pool Co. come out to do the "closing" (they charge by the hour. They were sad that EVERYTHING but the blow out and attaching the Loop-Loc cover had been done for them. :wink: they were here for maybe 25 minutes.) Even with all this prep -- we opened to a green pool. Not swampy -- but Kermit-the-Frog green (and we opened early... the 2nd week of April). I attribute the lack of swamp to the condition we closed in -- and the green to the fact that we had a very warm winter.

This year is shaping up to be a different story. We're expecting our first child in a few weeks. I'm worried that between the husband and I -- with a new baby -- we won't have the time to meticulously keep the pool gunk free and make sure it stays that way until the water temperature is acceptable for closing. Additionally -- I'm worried about the time involved in closing. I say that because pretty much EVERYTHING that happens to this pool is done by me. Maintenance, chemical checking, etc. He's the muscle but is very clear that this is "my" pool -- so I have to drive "the bus" -- so to speak. With a new baby on the way -- the added stress of closing the pool is the last thing on my mind (don't get me wrong -- he'll help --but I'll have to step by step instruct him on how to do everything)

We are considering replacing the 7 year old liner (which is in horrible shape due to the previous owners and their awful pool maintenance) -- But I want to close in the method that, should we not replace the liner, will not destroy the current liner (hopefully that makes sense).

So my question is: I opened to a green pool this year and with the BBB method it took 10 days to get it sparkling clean. What additional ramifications am I looking at if I close early (in the next 3-4 weeks) this year (provided I follow the BBB method of closing)? Should I do something extra to counter act closing so early (extra shock or chlorine free shock? More algecide?) Or is it just highly discouraged?

Lastly -- Right now the pool is sitting at about 77 degrees -- +/- 2-3 degrees in the high afternoon and at night.

Any thoughts??
 
Here's what I've done a few times: I had the pool guys come out and put the loop loc cover on the pool around the first of October. This kept the leaves out of the pool, along with most other debris. Then, around Thanksgiving, give-or-take, I had them come back and close the pool. Cost a bit more, but I kept the algae in check and could pull back the cover and take a dip after raking leaves on some warm November days.
 
If you have to have someone come out and blow out the lines and put in antifreeze anyway, I would go ahead and put the loop loc cover on and add bleach through the skimmer. You can run the pump with the cover on. When it is closer to winter you can have the rest of the winterizing done.
 
Utlmnop said:
We are considering replacing the 7 year old liner (which is in horrible shape due to the previous owners and their awful pool maintenance) -- But I want to close in the method that, should we not replace the liner, will not destroy the current liner (hopefully that makes sense).

To have an inground liner installed around here, with water delivery - is about $3500-4k
My liner was in "bad" shape when we bought the house 9 years ago, a guy told me to wait until it fails before replacing it
Which I am now doing
 
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