Thinking about maintaining/servicing my own pool

[eugchen]

we just moved into a house with a chlorine pool and want to maintain the pool myself. i created a "guide myself" but not sure how accurate it is.

CLEANING
clean pool surface with net
brush walls of pool
vacuum (automatic robotic vacuum preferable)
empty skimmer basket every few days
empty skimmer basket on filter
clean filters when pressure gets too high (i have a jandy CL460 cartridge pool filter)

CIRCULATION
run pump at least 8-12 hrs a day (summer)
run 4-6 hours in winter
angle jets towards bottom 8:00 position

chemistry
ph - 7.2-7.6 (check weekly)
alkalinity - 100-150 parts per million (check once a month)
sanitizer (add weekly)- chlorine - 1-3 parts per million (check weekly)
calcium hardness test - check every 3 months

shock pool weekly - use sanitizer in a concentrated amount


Does all this sound about right?

question on cost---seems like i need to buy a telescopic pole ($75), net ($25), brush ($25), robotic vacuum ($500), and chemicals test kit ($105). im estimating the net, pole, brush, vaccuum, chemical kit to be around $730? and chemicals maybe $100 every few months?

any recommendations on an easy chemical kit to buy? i see this $105 recommended by some

Amazon.com : Taylor Complete Pool & Spa Test Kit - High Range K-2005C 2 oz Reagents : Swimming Pool Liquid Test Kits : Patio, Lawn & Garden

Amazon.com : Taylor Complete Pool & Spa Test Kit - High Range K-2005C 2 oz Reagents : Swimming Pool Liquid Test Kits : Patio, Lawn & Garden

www.amazon.com

or is this one sufficient?

Amazon.com : Taylor K2005 Swimming Pool Chlorine Bromine Alkalinity Hardness pH DP Test Kit : Swimming Pool Liquid Test Kits : Patio, Lawn & Garden

Amazon.com : Taylor K2005 Swimming Pool Chlorine Bromine Alkalinity Hardness pH DP Test Kit : Swimming Pool Liquid Test Kits : Patio, Lawn & Garden

www.amazon.com

thank you in advance!

 

[ajw22]

Get the TF-100 Test Kit ™ or the Taylor 2006C. The TF-100 is a better value.

Pool Test Kits - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Basic Pool Care Schedule

This basic pool care schedule can guide you in creating your own pool care routine. Regular pool maintenance will keep your water sparkling!

www.troublefreepool.com

Pool Care Basics Archives

Your one-stop shop for all things TFP to include: ABCs of Water Chemistry, Recommended Chemicals/Levels, Test Kits, Troubleshooting, and much more!

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[setsailsoon]

E,

Welcome to TFP! You've certainly come to the right place for the kind of advice you're seeking. We are experts and experienced enthusiasts that are 100% volunteer. We sell nothing so no conflicted advice ever. Here are my comments:

• Read the ABC's link that Allen provided above. We don't shock because it's a waste of chemicals and not needed. Over 200,000 people use TFP methodology. It's simple, science-based, and dirt cheap.
• No way to tell on chemical costs without pool volume. For reference mine was 12800 gal and the major cost was chlorine at about .5 gal every other day during summer. Way less in winter. Also you'll need acid that you can still get at HD for around $14 for 2 gal. I'd use about 50 oz every couple of days 'till I switched to borates. If you switch to salt as I did chlorine will cost almost nothing but you'll have a couple thousand $ up front. How much up front depends on pool size. Follow TFP recommendation for sizing not manufacturer's recommendations.
• If it was me I'd consider switching to swg. We'll never have a non-salt pool again. Many benefits on ease of care and feel of the water.
• As Allen points out get the TF 100. Add refills every other year and keep the kit in cool dry place when not in use. There are many places you can get it but we don't sell it here (or anything for that matter)
• Do get a robot. It's about $700-$1000 and worth every penny. It will greatly reduce or almost eliminate the manual labor of cleaning.
• Read ABC's for filtering and pump run time advice.
• Follow TFP recommendations on chemistry and you will have the lowest cost best looking pool in the neighborhood. Test daily until you "get to know your pool" back off as you see how it reacts to adding chemicals. Do test yourself and never rely on pool store tests. FC, CC, CYA, pH are most frequent tests and certainly during summer once per week isn't usually enough. Other tests became every 2-3 months for me eventually but monthly or so at first. Every pool is different so error on more frequent 'till you see what your pool needs. Salt pools are way easier. After you get to know the pool testing once per week is very possible.

Ask any questions you may have and there are many experts here to help. Good luck with your pool. If you find you like this site please add a signature. Here's how. It will enable our volunteer experts to be more effective with their time and reduce question cycles to get you answers to your questions.

I hope this is helpful.

Chris

 

[jark87]

You’re definitely making the right decision to maintain your pool yourself. I’ve managed mine since building it 15 years ago, and I had no idea what I was doing when I started. It’s incredibly easy, especially with advice you’ll find here on TFP.

Quality test kit (most important item), pole, net and brush are all necessities. I have 2 poles just so I don’t have to keep switching the net and brush. You can get them on Amazon for ~$30. Robot vacuum is definitely worth the investment, but you could get by without one. Two things I thought were kind of gimmicky were the Taylor Speedstir and Sample Sizer, but then I got them. Testing is SO much easier and faster with those tools, but they’re not necessities. I would also suggest skimmer basket nets, which will prolong time between filter cleanings.

As Chris suggests above, look into converting to salt with a Salt Water Chlorine Generator. I wouldn’t own a pool without one, as my “maintenance” takes about 10 minutes per week. I can also leave for extended periods of time and not worry about coming home to a pool nightmare. And there’s no need for storage of large quantities of chlorine, nor trips to the store to buy it.

I usually test chlorine (total and combined), pH, and alkalinity 2-3 times per week during the summer, but I could get by testing it less. It’s more of a peace of mind/insurance thing. I know I’m going to need to add a pint of acid at least 1x per week to keep pH down, and with the SWCG, the chlorine test results are very consistent. Once you get it down, testing only takes a couple of minutes. I test salt and cyanuric acid about once a month. Calcium hardness gets tested a couple of times per year, as it doesn’t change much, at least for me. Empty the skimmer baskets and brush the pool a couple of times per week and that’s it. Filter gets cleaned 3-4 times per year, but I also get a lot of junk falling from the trees, so your cleaning may not be as frequent.

I only test chlorine, pH and alkalinity during the winter and only a couple of times per month.

Enjoy your pool!

 

[Jimrahbe]

E,

Your basic plan is ok, but you are trying to maintain your pool using the "Pool $tore" way, and not the TFP way.

I noticed that you did not list Stabilizer (CYA) as a chemical you need to track. In fact, there is no way to tell what your FC (chlorine) should be without knowing your CYA level.

You talk about "weekly shocking" when in fact, if you follow the TFP guidelines you will never have to shock your pool. I have three pools that in total have been TFP pools for 25 years. In all that time I have never added a single bag of Pool $tore shock.

Please read up on how we take care of our pools and then decide if you want to be a Pool $tore clown, or if you want to have the clearest water in town..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[jark87]

angle jets towards bottom 8:00 position

Also, I think this is incorrect, as you want circulation on the surface to push debris into the skimmer baskets. I could be wrong, but that’s how I have mine angled. I did a quick search here on TFP, and the consensus seems to be to angle towards the surface, not the bottom.

 

[Mdragger88]

Welcome to tfp
You can definitely maintain your pool yourself. No one cares more about your pool or has more interest in it’s condition than you. As mentioned above, the proper kit is paramount- the 2005 kits you mentioned are missing the all important fas-dpd test which will run you about $30 to purchase separately. For this reason it’s recommended to get the Taylor k2006c or the tf100/tfpro as it’s included. The tf100/tfpro from www.tftestkits.net
have more quantities of the reagents that homeowners use most & they are all also Taylor regeants & are guaranteed to be fresh.
With a good kit, PoolMath , & a maytronics robot pool care is a breeze.
If u have any more questions just ask

 

[HermanTX]

Everybody that has provided you input gave excellent advice. There is point that Jim made that I would like to expand on. TFP is a methodology that is different from pool stores. This is why you need to have a good test kit and be able to provide the basic values for the following:
pH
FC - free chlorine
CC - combined chlorine
CH - calcium hardness
TA - total alkalinity
CYA -cyanuric acid (stabilizer)
Salt - if you have a saltwater pool

Also, you need to define how you will chlorinate your pool. All you state is Chlorine. My guess is that you are using trichlor pucks which is not good for long-term use in your pool. If you do not have a saltwater pool, then you should switch to using liquid chlorine. This can be bought as a pool store or better value at Home Depot, ACE, or Lowes.

You will not need to shock your pool if you maintain it using TFP methods. In summer you may do some tests daily while others will be weekly or monthly. The contributors on the TFP forum can guide you once you obtain your test kit and provide the values for each test as noted above. We have all learned the TFP methodology and we all have crystal clear pools as a result of that.
Good Luck.

 

[kul]

Yay! Welcome to the group! I’m also in LA. You’ll gain a lot of valuable information here.

 

[MiguelACA]

Also, I think this is incorrect, as you want circulation on the surface to push debris into the skimmer baskets. I could be wrong, but that’s how I have mine angled. I did a quick search here on TFP, and the consensus seems to be to angle towards the surface, not the bottom.

I couldn't find much info on this. I kept getting conflicting answers. I have angled down and toward the skimmer at the deep end, the wind tends to blow in that direction. I noticed when I had them angled up to push debris into the skimmers, my pH was rising too fast. I don't seem to have an issue with skimming...but I also have VERY LITTLE vegetation in the back...so not much to blow in.

 

[Mdragger88]

I couldn't find much info on this. I kept getting conflicting answers. I have angled down and toward the skimmer at the deep end, the wind tends to blow in that direction. I noticed when I had them angled up to push debris into the skimmers, my pH was rising too fast. I don't seem to have an issue with skimming...but I also have VERY LITTLE vegetation in the back...so not much to blow in.

U can always do the ping pong ball test.
Throw some ping pong balls/ or even rubber duckies in the pool in various areas then time how long it takes them all to make it into the skimmers.
The stragglers will show u where u need more flow - adjust the jets & repeat until u feel satisfied with the outcome. I try to keep my higher jet pointed low enough it doesn’t create hardly any turbulence but still high enough that it scoots things to the skimmer quite effectively. My pool is round so i kinda get the toilet bowl effect

 

[eugchen]

thanks guys!!!!! such great advice! and i love how most everyone agrees with everyone else.

which robotic vacs are good? im looking to save some money, so budget robotic vacuums are wanted!

 

[setsailsoon]

EU,
Glad to hear this is working for you so well... not surprised though. Same thing happened to me years ago and that's why I'm still here now.

The answer depends somewhat on your pool size. To save our experts time and get you answers quicker please do add your signature. It's very easy and you only have to do it once, here's how. It will enable our volunteer experts to be more effective with their time and reduce question cycles to get you answers to your questions.

Chris

 

[eugchen]

sorry about that chris! just updated as much info as i know.

 

[Newdude]

Hey Eugchen and welcome !!!

such great advice! and i love how most everyone agrees with everyone else

The process just........ works. And dirt cheaply I might add. And we are all on team HelpYouOut.

Sure we may see things a bit different at times, but it's an amazing thing when nobody bringst any attitude as there is none to be found.

Maybe one day we'll be big enough to take it into the real world. Until then, you're in GREAT hands.

 

[setsailsoon]

sorry about that chris! just updated as much info as i know.

EU,
That's a great start just add more information as you get it. Your pool size is one that would work great with the robot I had. I used the Pentair Warrior SE. I searched everywhere looking for the best deal on it or one of the other similar models that are all identical and made by the same manufacturer. I got it from Marine Pool and Spa like many others here and they had the best price. Call them and they'll tell you what brand has the best sale on at the moment. I was actually looking for a dolphin 200 but the PW had almost $50 off.

Chris