Post Irma

[FloridaPoolGal]

We survived Irma in good shape but the pool screen took some hits from the neighbor's broken tree tops and branches. Lots of debris in the pool and no power for the pump. We had boosted the chlorine but we took on a lot of water. I wanted to know if I can just manually stir in chlorine with the pool net. It will take some time to get all the debris out so things will start to grow!

 

[mknauss]

Yes. Use your brush or net to mix in liquid chlorine. Try to get the debris out as much as you can. The tree leaves and twigs do not add much to the organic load in the short term but always better to get them out.

Take care.

 

[Nursenini]

I would use a brush, but certainly the turbulence of using the net will work. I would be concerned that the net coming into contact with a strong concentration of bleach would cause it to break down, but nets aren't super expensive, so if it is all you have to work with go for it!

I'm glad you made it through! Praying for all you folks in Florida and Texas!

 

[appstategrad]

We survived Irma in good shape but the pool screen took some hits from the neighbor's broken tree tops and branches. Lots of debris in the pool and no power for the pump. We had boosted the chlorine but we took on a lot of water. I wanted to know if I can just manually stir in chlorine with the pool net. It will take some time to get all the debris out so things will start to grow!

Can you share the brand of pool screen to have? I am not in Florida so I wouldn't be able to use your same installer, but I have been looking for something similar. Could you share more pics when you have time (showing how it is anchored to the ground, etc.). Thank you!!

 

[FloridaPoolGal]

A local company named Dulando built the cage. I guess I own the design of the cage so maybe I can get a copy of the plans for you. They are going to be a little bit busy over the next couple weeks ? but hopefully I can make this happen in the not-too-distant future. Do not hesitate to remind me. I'm kind of in zombie mode right now.

We used the finer mesh on the top because the neighbor has a pine tree that has those super long pine needles that don't come out of the screen after they get in. We have not had any issues with those things being stuck for life in the 'roof.'

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I dipped debris for 2 1/2 hours. I got about 80% of it. More tomorrow. We are pooped! What a PIA! Dumped some chlorine and then gave it a good stir. There is so much power out that it could easily take a week or two to get it back. What am I going to be looking at in my backyard if that happens? I can keep the chlorine going in will that actually keep it from turning green without being filtered?

 

[ZcottD]

I would say brush to stir as well, get the stuff on the bottom and sides moving around.

 

[appstategrad]

A local company named Dulando built the cage. I guess I own the design of the cage so maybe I can get a copy of the plans for you. They are going to be a little bit busy over the next couple weeks ? but hopefully I can make this happen in the not-too-distant future. Do not hesitate to remind me. I'm kind of in zombie mode right now.

We used the finer mesh on the top because the neighbor has a pine tree that has those super long pine needles that don't come out of the screen after they get in. We have not had any issues with those things being stuck for life in the 'roof.'

- - - Updated - - -

I dipped debris for 2 1/2 hours. I got about 80% of it. More tomorrow. We are pooped! What a PIA! Dumped some chlorine and then gave it a good stir. There is so much power out that it could easily take a week or two to get it back. What am I going to be looking at in my backyard if that happens? I can keep the chlorine going in will that actually keep it from turning green without being filtered?

That would be awesome, thank you! No worries on the time...I know you have a million other more important things to deal with at the moment. Good luck with your clean up and power restoration!

 

[mknauss]

I can keep the chlorine going in will that actually keep it from turning green without being filtered?

Yes. However it may get cloudy as you are not filtering. You will still want to SLAM Process once you get power on. But if you keep chlorine in it you should be OK with at most a short SLAM.

Take care.

 

[FloridaPoolGal]

Yes, I definitely expected a slam to be in our future.

 

[DrKev]

Can you share the brand of pool screen to have? I am not in Florida so I wouldn't be able to use your same installer, but I have been looking for something similar. Could you share more pics when you have time (showing how it is anchored to the ground, etc.). Thank you!!

Pool enclosures are extremely common in Florida. Rarely do you see a pool home without one. Because of this, there are many companies that install them. Most often they are installed by aluminum product companies. A quick search for pool enclosures on google should provide the nearest installers to you. I know that the ones I have owned are secured to the pool deck by screws.

 

[FloridaPoolGal]

Well, electric returned on the 9th day. We worked for hours on several days to remove virtually all the debris and most of the dirt out of the pool. We tested daily and stirred in the chlorine. The water remained pretty clear and we never saw any signs of algae. Being versed in the TFP method was key. I think we would have had a green soup mess otherwise. The pump ran for about 10 hours Tuesday and the normal 5 hours today and it looks perfect. I haven't even seen an increase in the filter pressure but I will clean it tomorrow anyway. My CH is low so tomorrow I will put some calcium in. Too much rain over the summer and then the hurricane topped it off. Another helpful tool was our battery operated vacuum. Clunky to use but it picked up a lot of dirt and debris.