To keep the pool closed pr not?

[Gasolina]

90000litres i/g vinyl single pump with sock filters tfp maintenance. Italy
We shocked, closed and covered the pool as usual in November. We had planned to return this week and open the pool as normal, but due to unforeseen health issues, we are unlikely to go back for at least two or three months. I usually do the testing and maintenance. There is no-one there who can use the full kit. The temperature of the water is likely to rise to 30C by July/August.
Should it be kept closed and open it only if and when we return? Does it need to be circulated or have chlorine added meanwhile - which would mean adding water, after the sun is off the pool - before replacing the cover? Or do we leave it covered and deal with the consequences when we get there- either this year or maybe even next?
Will it damage the liner to do this? Should I remove the socks? I noticed that our handy man had replaced them!
Thanks for any advice. Gasolina

 

[Texas Splash]

If you can't be there, then next ideal scenario would be having someone available whom you could trust to do some very basic things like add chlorine periodically, check the skimmer, and ensure the system is running as needed. But if that's not possible, your pool will certainly become a swamp. Of course you can correct that by performing the SLAM Process, but there may be some residual organic staining to contend with later.

 

[Gasolina]

Thank you,Texas Splash. You always come to the rescue. So should I get the water level topped up, keep the pool covered and add chlorine/ muriatic acid periodically, circulate a few times a day as well as checking the skimmers? I really don’t want to end up with a stained liner. Thank you.

 

[Texas Splash]

So should I get the water level topped up, keep the pool covered and add chlorine/ muriatic acid periodically, circulate a few times a day as well as checking the skimmers?

If you have someone locally who could do that for you absolutely. Hopefully the system continues to operate without problems so that babysitting the pool once every day or two is easy for someone.

As for the cover, be careful about that though. Covers are great to help preserve FC from the sun and keep leaves and stuff out of the water. AT the same time, in the summer, it's also good to pull the cover back for a short time to let the water breath occasionally and get some sun UV to remove the combined chlorine (trash) from the water. Not sure what type of pool or cover you have, or if that's realistic for someone watching your pool for a while, but worth considering.

 

[Gasolina]

Thanks for that, although I think it would be tricky for him to deal with the cover on his own. How often and for how long each time should the cover be lifted to deal with the cc ? ( can it be partially?) Thanks again.

 

[Texas Splash]

How often and for how long each time should the cover be lifted to deal with the cc ? ( can it be partially?)

Partially, sure. Otherwise, if the cover was pulled back all the way every 2-3 days that could also help.

 

[Gasolina]

For him to remove the cover completely every 2-3 days would be impossible. Do you think a partial removal once a week might be OK? If he partially removes it at the same time as circulating the water, would that be a good idea? Also, for how long each time do you think would be best? And presumably it would need plenty of chlorine- the amount not being critical as no-one would be swimming? How many times/ hours should the pump be on daily? Thanks again.

 

[Texas Splash]

Do you think a partial removal once a week might be OK?

It's better than nothing at all for sure. As for length of time, depends on the availability of your pool/home babysitter I suppose. If he is only there once that day and wont' be back for several days, pull the cover back for as long as he will be there at the home doing other things I suppose. The other option is to let him pull the cover back partially and leave it that way for a few days. The amount of chlorine required should be less with no swimmers and the cover being used most of the time. It will need some chlorine, but perhaps not everyday. You also have to be careful to not add too much chlorine too. Yes, the pump should be turned on periodically to circulate water. That or just leave it on a low speed if it's a 2-wpeed motor or variable speed. Will your visitor be testing the water for you at all?

 

[Gasolina]

He can’t test the water properly, but is used to topping up the chlorine and Muriatic Acid if we are away for a few days. He uses a bit of
guesswork, usually given a ball park figure by me! He can set the timer for the pump. Unfortunately our testing kits are in Italy so I can only give him a rough idea of amounts based on memory from last year- the CYA level should be similar anyway. I think it might be best if he removes the cover. He could shock and clean the pool and then put in chlorine almost daily in passing. It won’t be perfect, but at least we shouldn’t get bad staining on the liner. Thank you again for all your help. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

 

[Darin]

My pool was covered for 3 years before i bought the house. Nothing ever touched, nothing ever added. It just took a little bit extra work to open when i did. I have a vinyl liner which probably made it easier. I had the porous cover made by loop lock. So do you need to add anything, no not when compared to my experience.

 

[Gasolina]

Thanks Darin