Overwhelmed

[Marineris]

Hi all,
This was the 2nd summer I've had a pool (18' AG, came with the house) and it was much more difficult to maintain because it was warmer here in NJ compared to the 1st. On the upside, I got to use it more as well, but I'm on the verge of thinking I can't handle owning a pool, mainly due to the manual work of opening, closing, and vacuuming. I can handle the chemicals, but wish the robot vacuums scrubbed and I didn't have to deal with covers (solar or winter).

Back in August my robot vacuum died, then my return jet broke, then I got sick. And now the pool is what you see in the picture. Honestly, I thought it would be worse - at least the water is not murky or has sludgy islands. It's all just lightly coating the bottom, as you can see from the patch I tried to vacuum, and it has evaporated below the skimmer. I think the correct steps to close the pool would be: replace return jet (no idea how or what to buy), raise water to vacuum to waste (I wish I could just vacuum without having to raise the water), probably raise water again to balance chemicals, lower water, then all the winterizing steps. I'm tired just thinking about this.

How much trouble would I be in just leaving it for the spring? As in just winterizing equipment and not bothering with cleaning or covering (which is a PITA to keep clean and mostly water-free over the winter anyway). I know some folks don't cover at all, will it be much more difficult or a lot more work in the spring than the steps outlined above? Maybe I could cover it as-is to shield it from the sun when the weather starts to get warmer in the spring? I'm unsure of the dangers I'd be flirting with since I've previously followed all winterizing steps and opened without any issues. It will be a difficult decision and I'll be very sad if I can't keep it, but I'm just tired and overwhelmed. I may feel differently in the spring if I can just completely forget about it over the winter.

Thanks for any advice or support.

 

[dereksanders]

There certainly is an amount of work involved being a pool owner. You have the options you already listed. You can either do the work now or do it later. It will likely worsen and will require more time, chemicals, and effort later.

 

[Mdragger88]

You’re going to have to do the
SLAM Process either way - so if its too much to handle right now just scoop as many leaves out as possible (so they don’t make stains), if you can get a siphon going with the vac hose you could vac to waste without adding a bunch more water just to run the pump.
Then cover the pool as is & winterize the equipment properly.
Getting an automatic cover pump is a great investment and it can be used to do a water exchange in the spring if needed to help make the slam process easier. I’ve had mine for 3 years and can’t believe I waited so long to get one. Submersible pumps are super handy to have in general.
Plan to jump on opening early, before the water gets much above 60 degrees.
You’ll need a test kit - taylor k2006c or tf100 to do the slam & maintain your water properly afterwards so get one of those ordered in March before you take the cover off.
We can help you have a Trouble free pool.
Post an up close straight on picture of your return from inside the pool & on the outside so we can figure out what you need.
Not sure what robotic cleaner you had previously but the dolphins & evos do climb the walls & brush the pool. A robotic cleaner (or any vac) however, cannot overcome an algae problem. Proper chemistry is the key.
Pool Care Basics

 

[Newdude]

If it's any motivation, cool water SLAMs are waaaaaaaaay easier than when the algae is growing exponentially. We have next to no UV loss right now so almost all of the chlorine you add will go to the algae battle.

If not, make sure to get an early start on next season for the same reasons. Open right after the last nighttime freeze and it will be an easier battle.

 

[phonedave]

You’re going to have to do the
SLAM Process either way - so if its too much to handle right now just scoop as many leaves out as possible (so they don’t make stains), if you can get a siphon going with the vac hose you could vac to waste without adding a bunch more water just to run the pump.
Then cover the pool as is & winterize the equipment properly.
Getting an automatic cover pump is a great investment and it can be used to do a water exchange in the spring if needed to help make the slam process easier. I’ve had mine for 3 years and can’t believe I waited so long to get one. Submersible pumps are super handy to have in general.
Plan to jump on opening early, before the water gets much above 60 degrees.
You’ll need a test kit - taylor k2006c or tf100 to do the slam & maintain your water properly afterwards so get one of those ordered in March before you take the cover off.
We can help you have a Trouble free pool.
Post an up close straight on picture of your return from inside the pool & on the outside so we can figure out what you need.
Not sure what robotic cleaner you had previously but the dolphins & evos do climb the walls & brush the pool. A robotic cleaner (or any vac) however, cannot overcome an algae problem. Proper chemistry is the key.
Pool Care Basics

Mdragger88 nailed it with that part in bold. Use your vac hose to start a syphon and vacuum to waste that way. No need to add water.

Get most of the leaves and debris out, run the FC up high, and cover it. Winterize your equipment

Take the winter to develop a plan for opening, and for regular maintenance.

Many people on these forums have likened taking care of a pool to taking care of your teeth. Regular flossing and brushing of your teeth keeps them healthy, takes a few minutes a day, and greatly reduces problems down the road. If you don't floss and brush, at some point you are going to be in for an expensive and painful visit to the dentist.

Your pool is the same. Minor regular maintenance of 20 minutes a day (give or take) will allow you to enjoy your pool trouble free for the season. Neglect your pool, and you will be in for a painful, long, and expensive road back to a useable pool.

 

[dereksanders]

Mdragger88 nailed it with that part in bold. Use your vac hose to start a syphon and vacuum to waste that way. No need to add water.

Get most of the leaves and debris out, run the FC up high, and cover it. Winterize your equipment

Take the winter to develop a plan for opening, and for regular maintenance.

Many people on these forums have likened taking care of a pool to taking care of your teeth. Regular flossing and brushing of your teeth keeps them healthy, takes a few minutes a day, and greatly reduces problems down the road. If you don't floss and brush, at some point you are going to be in for an expensive and painful visit to the dentist.

Your pool is the same. Minor regular maintenance of 20 minutes a day (give or take) will allow you to enjoy your pool trouble free for the season. Neglect your pool, and you will be in for a painful, long, and expensive road back to a useable pool.

This was one of the easily the most succinct and relatable messages regarding pool care. I tip my hat to you.

 

[Marineris]

Thank you for all your comments!! I will reply to other points later, but for now, please help identify how to fix the return jet and what I'll need. This may determine whether I do a proper closing (raise the water to run the filter, etc; I'm feeling slightly better this week haha) or do the great suggestions above.

Post an up close straight on picture of your return from inside the pool & on the outside so we can figure out what you need.

This is the original post I made for the return jet issue with pictures showing the crack that may be causing the eyeball to fly off (is a full replacement needed?). Here are the head-on views.

 

[Mdragger88]

Unfortunately That fitting is obsolete-
I did find this

Waterway Turbo Jet Return Fitting Replacement Kit

Waterway Turbo Jet Return Fitting Assembly ,112313 ,LB112313

recwarehouse.com

It does however say in the description that you are to reuse a piece of your old fitting so not sure it would work for you much better as I fear that may be piece you said cracked.
If the only thing not functioning now with the condition of your current fitting is being able to adjust direction then you may just want to leave it alone.
Perhaps you can get someone to 3d print you a replacement for the cracked part. Or use some epoxy to repair it.

If the hole in the pool wall was a normal size (1.5”)
I would suggest you just replace it with a normal above ground return fitting but that will involve patching the pool wall & liner.
That job may be better reserved for liner replacement time when it comes.