Now I know more about pools than I wanted to

[Rocket J Squirrel]

Greetings, all. I just came off a 3-month in-ground pool remodel which took only 5 months! January to June 2018 on my 1988 vintage pool which I've owned for 6 years. Except for the newish main filter pump, I replaced literally every piece of equipment and re-plastered the pool.

Now I know just about everything that can go wrong with a pool remodel, because it did. I think my pool remodel folks are all pretty happy that recreational cannabis is now legal here in CA. They did such sloppy work that they had to hire a SCUBA diver to clear out the main drain from the debris they left in there. Spa drain & jets clogged, too. They jackhammered the concrete pad 3 times because they couldn't get the pipes plumbed right the first 2 times. Heater PC board smoked when touched by their "electrician". Wiring disconnected and unlabeled to the point I had to hire an outside master electrician to solve it. Auto pool cover coincidentally jammed & needed a service call (different company).

But finally, today, for the first time since we drained the pool in January, everything works! What a relief it is.

 

[ctrav]

Congrats!

 

[kimkats]

Well hello to you!! Sounds like you have been through the wringer for sure!!

I have seen your name on a couple of other posts. Seems like you have been just about every where already. Do you have your test kit yet??? If so please list it in your siggy. If not look in my siggy below for the one I think is the best bang for the buck.

I would LOVE to see before and after pics of your pool!

Jackhammer 3??? times....ouch and SMH

Kim

 

[Costas > DownUnder]

Wow - sounds like you have been through the 'wars' so to speak - Any pics?

 

[Rocket J Squirrel]

Wow - sounds like you have been through the 'wars' so to speak - Any pics?

Yes, I have pics covering most of the work. Here's one that shows the jackhammering of the old plaster almost finished. It's amazing what 3 guys with noisy equipment can accomplish when neatness doesn't count.

 

[Rocket J Squirrel]

Do you have your test kit yet??? If so please list it in your siggy.

My siggy is pretty full. I had to pare it down to where it is now.

I've been using the Leslie's/Taylor kit with 5 tests. It seems to be number 18-576? It was the best one they had at my local Leslie's. I guess the only way to get the one you like is via web?

It was quite a month getting the water from tap to swimmable. And oy, the daily brushing & vacuuming!

I would LOVE to see before and after pics of your pool!

OK, here is a Before pic. The black smudge dead center and the smudges above and to the right of center are not black algae; they are actually spots where the plaster had worn down clear to the gunite! I'll get an After pic later. Right now, I'm going swimming!

 

[Costas > DownUnder]

Yes, I have pics covering most of the work. Here's one that shows the jackhammering of the old plaster almost finished. It's amazing what 3 guys with noisy equipment can accomplish when neatness doesn't count.

Thanks for the pic... Lots of dusty work... Probably quite satisfying knowing that the old plaster is pretty much gone now.....

 

[Rocket J Squirrel]

I finally got around to taking some After photos. I can only show one of them without exceeding my quota. The other one I wanted to post showed the new plaster with clarity & sparkle, so you'll just have to take my word for it. Yes, it's an old school pool, nothing fancy. But it looks much nicer with fresh plaster.

 

[tim5055]

I've been using the Leslie's/Taylor kit with 5 tests. It seems to be number 18-576? It was the best one they had at my local Leslie's. I guess the only way to get the one you like is via web?

You want to order a TF100 test kit

The only other real option for a test kit is a Taylor K-2006-C. Be careful comparing prices because the K-2006 comes in sizes, designated by a letter. The basic K-2006 has .75oz bottles. You need to get the K-2006-C to get the larger bottles that you want. Even then it is a little short on the reagent & powder for the FAS/DPD test.

Leslies does sell the K-2006 Taylor Technologies 81329 Chlorine FAS-DPD Service Test Kit

But, theres is marked up a little over Amazon https://www.amazon.com/TAYLOR-TECHNOLOGIES-INC-K-2006-CHLORINE/dp/B004BGF7TI

While entirely optional, I also have the SpeedStir and Sample Sizer. They speed testing and accuracy.

 

[kimkats]

I see MY spot by your pool!!!! That nap hut on the other side of the pool! Swim, eat, nap!!! What a great life!

You can become a supporting members as seen here: CLICK HERE to Become a TroubleFreePool.com Supporter!! You will get a discount on the testing stuff (look in my siggy below for the link), as well as other discounts. We get to feed the server and keep it updated! Oh and we all get to see more pics of your pretty pool!!!

Kim

 

[Rocket J Squirrel]

You want to order a TF100 test kit

I ordered the standalone FAS/DPD test to supplement my kit. Good enough?

 

[Rocket J Squirrel]

I see MY spot by your pool!!!! That nap hut on the other side of the pool! Swim, eat, nap!!! What a great life!

The “nap hut” (lol) is called a daybed. We’ve been getting those Frontgate catalogs forever and always wanted one, but didn’t have space for it until we moved here. Kids and dogs love it. Unfortunately, so do our local lizards, who leave behind deposits which stain. We had to buy a new set of cushions this year because those cushions cannot be cleaned by any means known to the Squirrel family.

 

[kimkats]

I ordered the standalone FAS/DPD test to supplement my kit. Good enough?

Good job! That will be very helpful.

The “nap hut” (lol) is called a daybed. We’ve been getting those Frontgate catalogs forever and always wanted one, but didn’t have space for it until we moved here. Kids and dogs love it. Unfortunately, so do our local lizards, who leave behind deposits which stain. We had to buy a new set of cushions this year because those cushions cannot be cleaned by any means known to the Squirrel family.

Well I say you find a nice cover to put on my nap hut when I am not using it so you don't have to buy new cushions when the lizards visit and leave their calling cards. LOL

Kim

 

[tim5055]

I forgot to say, shouldn't this be your avatar?

 

[kellyfair]

LOL! Every time I see his posts I mutter under my breath “Moose & Squirrel!”

 

[Rocket J Squirrel]

Well I say you find a nice cover to put on my nap hut when I am not using it so you don't have to buy new cushions when the lizards visit and leave their calling cards. LOL

We do have the custom cover for the daybed. But lizards are small and crawl right under it so they can lounge and poop. My next step is to find space to store the cushions in a lizard-proof zone for the winter.

 

[Rocket J Squirrel]

I forgot to say, shouldn't this be your avatar?

View attachment 80149

That is actually my grandfather, who wised up after retirement from TV and moved from Frostbite Falls to Santa Monica. He’s in pretty good shape for his age, but stone deaf now. I think he blew out his eardrums with all that showing-off swooping around.

His old pal Bullwinkle is in an assisted living in Florida somewhere. His memory is pretty shot, but from what I hear, he’s as wacky as ever and drives the staff nuts with his shenanigans.

 

[kellyfair]

drives the staff nuts with his shenanigans.

 

[Rocket J Squirrel]

I’ve had a couple private messages asking about other cast members from the show. Here is all I know.

Natasha Fatale had extensive cosmetic surgery shortly after retiring. After years living happily out of the public eye, she is now the First Lady of the United States.

The whereabouts of Boris Badenov are unknown.