Pool problems?

Question

We purchased a home and the owner apparently hadn't run the pool filter or pump (or treated the pool) since August. It also did not have a cover, so it is currently a dirty, filthy, algae infested mess. Quite frankly, I'm not even sure the filter and pump even work -- but I'm hesitant to turn them on and try them out -- because the pool is SO dirty (I don't want to draw all of that crud into the pump and filter unless I have to). Any suggestions? Do I need to call a pool place and have them drain and clean the pool? Or is this something I can take care of myself (after remodeling the entire house, our budget is really low at this point).

Answer 1

Just buy a regular sump pump with a ball switch on it Lowes carriers those. They have in that box with the pump an attachment where you hook your hose onto the pump. That pump costs $68 at Lowes, I just bought one. You will need a pair of those hip high waders boots too. The kind fisher man use to fish for trout.

Then attach a hose to the pump, drop it into the pool, power it up and pump away into the sewer or city drain. Either is fine.

When it is pumped say about 2 feet of water, get down in there with an ordinary garage broom and sweep out the sludge towards the pump and rid of that too. Then wash it clean with a hose and pump it down to the lower end where you attack it and remove it with a "fishermans' Net"

Wash down the walls with regular detergent a bit of ordinary laundry bleach and elbow gease on the long handle stiff brush.

Refil as soon as possible. There is a lot of ground water pressue on the sides of the pool, so if you leave it empty it can damage the pool.

You apparently havent had a pool before. Its expensive and a lot of work to upkeep. Somewhat a surprise its going to be for you!!! It happend to me, and I wish that i never had the thing because i dont use it that much, yet I have to maintain it or it will turn into a cess pool. Takes up so much of my free time that Id rather use up doing something more useful.

Should you decide to have it done, be ready to pay about $2000 or more to have a pool in your described condition brought up to good standard. Im not even including a new filtration or pump which this thing probably needs also. That would even drive the cost up even moreso. Its not uncommon to have a bill for $3000 to do yearly work on a regular size Pool.

I suggest if you are going to maintain this pool, go to a pool supply house and buy a book on pool maintenance, or get one from the library.

One last thing, make sure you have a good fence around the pool and a gate that is kept LOCKED. Lots of kids wandering around drown in those things and you can be found liable if you neglect to have a properly working lock gate and fence.

Answer 2

from what it sounds like you have a swamp and from my experience no one will give you a quote under $500 as they are going to have to get in the pool in most cases, once I even heard a guy found a dead cat at the bottom of a pool like that but it was only the skeleton. you need to call around and get some quotes. the previous owners should not have turned the pump off...they should have disclosed to you if there was a problem with the pump before purchasing. you will most likely also need another plaster job on your pool. it's just a bad mess you should have contacted a few pool companies prior to purchasing the house because pool repair costs can get really expensive! if the pump is broken look into spending at least another $500 or more......and hope that all of the plumbing is in good working condition because the cost of pool plumbing repairs is ridiculous..........

Answer 3

sounds like your chlorine is getting used up by skill of despite is dirtying up the water. in many situations green water shows an algae infestation and if that's what you have have been given, that's what's eating up your chlorine. have you ever backwashed your filtration equipment? Backwashing is the place you opposite the water pass out of the pool to flush out the filter out interior your pump: finally your filter out will develop into full of debris and could't carry anymore, so the only different place for it to pass is stable lower back into the swimming water. it relies upon upon what type of pool you have, yet you're likely managing a diatomaceous earth (DE) filter out or a sand filter out. DE and sand are different varieties of filter out aids used to maintain the contaminants out of your water, and your equipment must be refilled with those after each backwash. in many situations we are able to tell whilst ours desires it whilst the rigidity gauge rises above what it frequently runs on, nevertheless we attempt to do it as quickly as each month or 2.

Answer 4

running the filter will get it dirty quick.. you can buy some shock to pour in and it will make the water clear enough to see whats really in there. nothing wrong with draining it bleach clean it and refill.. other than cost of water.