Pool Opening after adverse conditions

[rllackey28]

My pool is in the floodplain. This past February we got hit with a 100-yr storm event and my pool had 7.5' of water over top of it. We had our safety cover on so we didn't get a lot of flood mud in the pool but there is a fine layer of silt. And a ton of algae and frogs and tadpoles. I've had it uncovered for weeks because the safety cover was ripped.

Now, I'm getting ready to open it up soon as I get my CORE-55 chlorinator to stop leaking at the joints. My first question is do any of you use something other than teflon tape around the threaded joints to prevent leakage? I've replaced the rubber O-rings and it still leaks and I used Magic Lube II on them as well.

My second question is the big one. My plan is to scrub the walls, vacuum the floor to waste while refilling with water to keep it full, then SLAMing it. Do you think this will work with the algae and amphibians or should I bite the bullet and drain it and refill it?

Advice is much appreciated.

 

[Bperry]

Now, I'm getting ready to open it up soon as I get my CORE-55 chlorinator to stop leaking at the joints. My first question is do any of you use something other than teflon tape around the threaded joints to prevent leakage? I've replaced the rubber O-rings and it still leaks and I used Magic Lube II on them as well.

Teflon tape is only used for tapered pipe threads. If the fitting has an oring seal then using tape is not going to do anything except stress the clamp ring and break it.

Someone in an other thread mentioned the core-55 (I think) not sealing well as a design flaw.

 

[HermanTX]

So sorry to hear of your hardship. I do hope the house is in better shape.
I assume your equipment was submerged as well. Is that all functioning.

With regard to the SWCG, if the joints are the union fittings then those only need to be aligned properly with lube on the seal ring. Teflon tape does not help it. If it is the half union that is glued to the PVC then that is a different issue. Show a picture to clarify what is leaking.

For the pool itself, it may be quicker to drain and refill. Or do a partial drain and refill. It is important to try to remove as much sludge and animals out of the pool first. You could drain 50% to help consolidate it all to scoop out. Also you can lightly spray or pressure wash the sides of the pool to clean.

See Draining - Further Reading

 

[rllackey28]

Here's video of the CORE-55 leaking.

Pump is fine. What's crazy is I pull it during the winter and I had it on a shelf 5.5' above the floor. Unfortunately water got 2 ft higher. But it runs. The SWG was underwater as well. Don't know if it's going to work yet. I had to repair it. The glue that held the CORE body let go it came loose. You can see that attached.

As for the house, it's raised so it was fine. I did lose some stuff because the NWS was predicting an event 10' lower than we got and didn't change it until it was too late. So I had everything on shelves as a precautionary measure but those shelves were inundated. Potential losses are the CORE, my robot vacuum control box, and my liner vacuum. But it could have been worse.

 

[HermanTX]

The SWG was underwater as well. Don't know if it's going to work yet. I had to repair it. The glue that held the CORE body let go it came loose. You can see that attached.

That is a lot of water. Just ensure there is a seal between the union ends and then hand tight the collar to secure the connection.
If the body is leaking then you may wish to call Discount Salt Pools for some advice. Worst case you just have to purchase a complete new cell and hope the controls still work.