New house - how do I take care of our pool?

Question

Details - Inground pool, approximately 70,000 gallons.

Answer 1

There's really not much detail here other than the volume. I could write a book and not cover what you need. If you post back with filter type, pool type (concrtet or vinyl), heater or no heater, type of sanitizer being used and any automatic pool cleaners, it would be helpful. There's simply too many things to cover other than basic water chemistry. I usually suggest to new home owners that they get a pool service guy in once, to give them waht our company calls pool 101's. Many service companies will do this for you and it won't cost much more than a service call (50 bucks). You'll get a personalized lesson, that's good for your specific set up and equipment. Take notes and if possible videotape the lesson. Hey, don't laugh, I think I'm starring in over 100 home videos by now. This way you can review what you've learned.
I'll go over some basics, common to most pools.
1/ check your chemistry at least once week. Total alkalinity 80-120 , Ph 7.2- 7.6, Cl or Br 1.0 -3.0. Always adjust your TA before trying to adjust anything else contrary to what I see in some of these posts ( still giggling, little wonder people's pools go green)
2/ Vac out the pool on at least a weekly basis. Keeping it clean helps lower your overall chemical expenditures.
3/ Clean out you pump and skimmer baskets on at least a weekly basis and same goes for whatever filter system you are using, unless it's a DE filter, you can leave those longer.
4/ Every month or so, take a water sample into your pool shop to be tested. They test for things a typical home owner's kit doesn't. If you're developing a calcium hardness issue, total dissolved solids or a dissolved metal issue, they can nip it in the bud before any damage occurs. You should also take in a sample 2 weeks prior to closing the pool (if applicable) and within a few days of pool opening (if applicable). Helps you put the pool to bed properly and get off to a good start in spring.
That's all I can post given the info you provided. Every pool is different. I'll put this on my watch list, if you update and may be able to help further.

Answer 2

You need to make sure you have a vacuum and net to maintain the pool's appearance (i.e. getting the leaves and bugs out). You may already have one.

Secondly you need to get some chemicals from a pool supply store. We have a place here called Leisure Pools. Get a PH testing kit, which makes sure the levels are safe enough to not make you sick, but high enough to kill any bacteria or algae that might grow. There are always intructions with the PH kit to explain what you need to do for the level it indicates.

If it's too low, you may need to "shock" your pool water. You can buy it at a pool supply store as well. Make sure nobody gets in it while it's being shocked--it can irritate the skin.

As for everyday maintaining, most supply stores carry chlorine tablets you can drop into your pool every week or so to maintain the correct PH level in the water. It's much easier than using liquid chlorine.

You also need to make sure the filter in your pump is emptied occasionally, as well as the filter in the pool itself. Your pump can actually burn up if you don't check it occasionally. Sometimes smaller debris ends up in the pump filter, as opposed to the pool filter itself, which picks up bigger things like leaves and bugs.

Also, before you start your pool, make sure your pump is adequately filled with sand, to strain out all the algae and even smaller debris. If the pool was used by the previous owner, the sand may need to be replaced. And of course, you can buy that at a pool supply store as well.

Hope this helps!

Answer 3

Consult with a pool supplier. They will give you full maintenance instructions. They do sell all the chemicals plus cleaning and entertainment equipment.
They will also test your water at any time, free. They do have testing supplies as well, to maintain the PH and acidity levels in proper balance.

Answer 4

find a good supplier of chemicals near your home.Bring in a sample bottle of the pool water.they will test it for you and then sell you the chemicals needed too balance your pool water