Swimming Pool

We have a pool guy that comes once a week. However, he is here for about 15-20 minutes at a time. In order to do some more work at home, I am wondering is it possible to do what he does on my own?

Any of you guys take care of your own swimming pool?

I don't have a cover for it.
It is heated and has a filter

We use it March-November.

I have the thing (don't know what its called), to scoop the leaves up. I use that every few days, due to lots of tree in the area.

He has some special vacuum thing (I don't have that).

Aside from taking this filter thing off the ground, and cleaning it up, are there other things I need to know/todo?

Appreciate the help.

 

People often overlook having to check the pH levels and adding chemicals to balance it.

Good luck.

 

I know my friend has one of the little robot vacuums that they throw in and it does the job. They also just use chemicals and all to keep it clean and what not.

 

So I have a "ton of tablets" in the bucket in my shed, that the company charges me for one time a year. Is that something we just throw in? I.e. how do I learn how do it? Our local Leslies offers the free PH level water testing.

 

Exactly what I am looking for. Ok I will research how much the robot thing is. If you have any further info from your friend, would be much appreciated.

 

I know Polaris makes one, I think it comes with a pretty high price tag though and it probably is a little too much for the average family pool. I know Dolphin and AquaBot make pretty reliable cleaners.

 

Mine is a regular family size pool. I would say some tree stuff falls on the ground, which is what needs to be cleaned once a week or so.

 

I used to be a pool boy. It's a super simple job if you have the right equipment and tools. To do it right, you will need:

1) A thread-lock 2 piece telescoping pole
2) An 18" curved wall brush
3) A "leaf rake" (like a fine mesh fish net, not the flat skimmer)
4) A vacuum hose with swivel cuff
5) A 14" vacuum head
6) A 2-way test kit

Don't bother with Leslie branded stuff. It's junk. The All-Clear brand is pro-grade. http://www.allclear.com/acces-2.htm

What brand and HP rating is your pool pump? What size and media type is your filter? If you post a couple of pictures of your pool and equipment setup I can give you some detailed step-by-step directions.

 

You rock. I will get some pictures and post it, as I just got home for lunch. Heck if you ever get to LA, I will even pay for your time, for you to show me what to do once.

 

Where abouts in LA?

 

210/2 corner, up on the hill.

 

Ok, here are some pictures.

1)Tools that I have now.
2)Size of Pool
3)Full bucket of tablets.
4)Pool pump pic. Not sure of HP.
5) moron pool guy who was here yesterday and didn't even clean the leaves out

 

I'm no poolfessional (see what I did there) but I will say the system meaning filter and pump seem like a old setup. This could lead to more cleaning having to be done on your part, and then higher energy costs.

When I bought my house a few years back the original owners had a very undersized filter and a old pump. I was having to clean out the filter cartridge every other week and still had a pretty dirty pool. I invested about $2500 in a new DE filter that was well beyond the size needed for my pool/gallons of water, along with the newer programmable pump, and a new pool skimmer(little robot guy that cleans the bottom for you) since then I now save about 20-30$ on elec every month, pool is cleaner and I only have to do what they call back wash the filter once in awhile every few months, and completely clean the grids closer to a year.

That leaves my weekly work of adding chlorine tabs,and emptying the pre filter basket pool side and maybe pump filter if debris made it that far.

 

That looks like about a 1.5HP pump and an older diatomaceous filter. Good start, especially considering the size of the pool and your relative lack of sand and dirt that would blow in.

There was one tool I forgot to mention:

$29 Purity Pool TSQC Tile Scrubber with Quick Connect

https://www.amazon.com/Purity-Pool-TSQC-Scrubber-Connect/dp/B004VLB8GE

What you do is start with that tile scrubber with a small amount of dish soap and work your way around scrubbing the tile. Any leaves, dirt, or other detritus will come off the tile and be easily scooped up next with the rake (in your picture on the right). Net out all of the floaties and clean out the skimmer basket. Leave the basket out for the next step. Attach the vacuum head (you'll have to purchase) to the telescoping pole (fully extended), then attach the pool hose (you'll have to purchase) with the swivel cuff side on the vacuum. Put the vacuum head on the bottom of the pool and slowly push the pool hose down into the water, one stretch at a time, in order to fill the entire hose up with water and eliminate any large air bubbles. Once the entire hose is in the water and full except for the end, quickly stick the end into the opening on the bottom of your skimmer. Make sure the pump is running. Then slowly vacuum in an overlapping pattern until all of the dirt or any small leaves on the bottom are gone. Pull the hose out of the skimmer (you may have to turn the pump off for it to come out if it's a strong pump), drain the water out of the hose as you pull it out, then switch over to the nylon brush and brush down the sides of the pool in an overlapping pattern. Put the skimmer basket back in and replace the lid.

You'll need to purchase the 2-way test kit, but it is cheap. Watch this video on how to use it:



For the size of your pool, especially in the colder months when you're not using it as much, I wouldn't put more than 1 tablet in the blue chlorine floater per week. Of course, if the chlorine level tests low, you'll want to add more accordingly.

 

Appreciate the info. Yes the filter/pump is older setup. Electric bill is $127-$147 a month total. I will see what @Maticuno says before I upgrade anything.

 

I run this pump:

Hayward SP3400VSP Ecostar Variable-Speed Pool Pump

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004...+pool+pump&dpPl=1&dpID=41D-21S3-GL&ref=plSrch

And this filter:

$1,649 Hayward DE6020 ProGrid D.E. Pool Filter, 60 Square Foot, Vertical Grid

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B002...+de+filter&dpPl=1&dpID=41x2GDI-9fL&ref=plSrch

 

Thank you very much for taking the time to help.

1) I understood the new tile scrubber, will order it now.


2) I am completely lost on the vacuum head thing you mentioned. So I have to purchase the vacuum head and a pool hose? Any recommendations?

3) Which pump is the vacuum getting attached to? (damn this is where a personal trip might be warranted)

4) One tablet a week, got it. Which is the "floater"


Thanks again.

 

When your current pool guy shows up, does he bring his own pump/filter with him mounted to a moving dolly?

 

They use all their own products, yes.
I have seen the hose you talk about, and a long stick he uses. However, I hadn't been home when he is here, to see what he attaches it to. No dolly. He carries all his equipment on his shoulder to walk around the house.

 

Get a quality water test kit