Newbie - a philosophical question...

[jdm1322]

Hi all, long-time lurker, just joined, but have already learned plenty from you.

Im sure im going to need plenty of help going forward - but for now, I have a simple question. First, some background;

My IGP is at my summer place, on Eastern Long Island, about 70 miles away from my primary residence. Im out there every weekend year-round, and 3 day weekends during the summer. Also out there for 2 weeks vacation, the rest of the time the place is used by family and friends.

I bought the house in early 2010 and have spend a small fortune on the pool ever since. No problems, just roughly $85 per week in maintenance and chemicals from May to October. Crazy. Was hoping to ditch the pool service - and after spending weeks and months reading here, I think its possible.

Now, the question; How realistic is it for me to expect to be able to maintain the pool when im only out there on weekends? Anybody else out there who has a situation that is similiar?

Thanks again for the info and look forward to your replies.

JDM

[aylad]

Hi, and welcome to the forum!!

It might be possible to ditch your pool service, but it's going to depend on a lot of things. Do you have a SWCG on the pool? Is there a neighbor or friend close by that can periodically check on the pool or follow simple instructions (such as: pour these two bottles of bleach into the pool on Wednesday)? Do you have a lot of trees/vegetation around the pool that might create problems with plugged-up skimmers? Do you have a timer on your pump? Do you use chlorine or Baquacil in the pool?

I'm sure others will chime in with other information needed to make this decision, but these answers will help those that can help you work through this know what needs to be done, or if it's at all possible.

[waste]

Welcome to the Forum!

I agree with Aylad's suggestion to tell us more about your pool! The more info we have the better we can advise you ;)

I look forward to hearing back from you. (I've got a couple ideas already, but want to make sure they'll be feasible)

[CarlD]

Welcome! Yup, we need to know more. You will need either someone or something to make sure chlorine levels stay up.
Without knowing more, this is NOT a suggestion but an example. When we would travel, I would have someone pour a gallon of bleach in every other day and always came back to a clean pool, even after 2 weeks of this treatment. The bleach would keep the pool clean and everything else would stay in balance.

There are at least 4 other ideas I can think of, when we know more.

[jdm1322]

Hi - and thanks for your replies!

Ill post a picture as soon as I can figure that out. In the interim - I'll cover the questions you asked.

The good news; no trees or leaves around, never had a problem with the skimmers getting clogged. There is some vegetation that borders the pool (some sawgrass and flower beds), but nothing that ever ends up in the pool. I take care of landscaping on my own and make sure as little as possible ends up in the pool. It gets full sun for 8 - 10 hours a day while its open from May - October; Zero shade.

The pump runs on a timer, also never a problem. Its not saltwater.

I could have someone come by once a week and add bleach or whatever, so dont think thats an issue.

Thanks again for your answers and assistance.

JDM

[PoolDoc]

You can do it with a high CYA / high chlorine pool . . . if you have reasonably reliable circulation equipment.

If you'll look at the Best Guess chart, in the 60 - 90 ppm CYA range, you can run your pool up to 20 ppm on Sunday PM before you leave, and it will probably be around 5 - 10 ppm when you return 5 days later on Friday. PoolChlor of California and Arizona has been running 10,000's of pools that way since the late 60's. They use chlorine gas (CHEAP!!!) and ~150 ppm of stabilizer.

However, they have the routine down, and you don't. You will want to be completely sure you DO have the routine, before you kick the service guy to the curb. That probably means paying him for 4 weeks when you don't need him . . . just to make sure he's not needed.

You WILL need to supply info on your pool, so a recipe can be worked out. Before you start, you'll need to supply
1. A reasonable guess at your pool gallons;
2. Info regarding your pool surface;
3. Info regarding your pump and filter;
AND
4. You'll need buy a K2006 series kit. I'd recommend the K2006C, since you going to need to test your stabilizer levels more than the 6x a plain K2006 can do it.

[jdm1322]

Thanks for the info - already busy reading up on your suggestions.

I estimate the pool to be 35,000 gallons. Ill get you the info on the pump and filter - the pump was removed in the fall and is with the Pool co. In the two seasons I have had the pool its never given me any issues - but ill get you the info and some pics shortly. Agree with your suggestion about keeping the service for a few weeks til I get acclimated.

Can you tell me what you mean by 'Info about the pool surface'? Thanks again for the info and your patience.

JDM

[aylad]

He means whether it is vinyl-lined, gunite, plaster, tiled, etc.

Janet

[jdm1322]

Ahhh - got it. It's vinyl lined. Thanks!

[PoolDoc]

OK. Vinyl liner has two immediate implications:

1. You probably can't drain your pool safely, without professional help, AND
2. You should NOT use trichlor powder, let trichlor tabs hit the bottom, or dump large doses of granular chlorine all at once.

Otherwise . . . the best thing would probably be to put this thread on hold, till your pool guy opens the pool. Then, do two things:

1. Watch your guy, make notes AND take pictures. Once you let him go, you'll need to be able to do those things yourself. A photo record will be a HUGE help.
2. Post a note here that "I'm opening". I'll get an email, flagging me. Try to open early if you can. Things go crazy here between May 15 and June 10, and stuff WILL fall through the cracks.

[Watermom]

Things go crazy here between May 15 and June 10.

Ya think??!! :rolleyes::eek::p:)

[CarlD]

Once you know how to open and close the pool yourself, and have a reasonable high-CYA maintenance schedule set up, you won't need the service. $1200/season for pool service at $85 a week seems high, unless that includes opening and closing. $1200 buys you (with a little looking) a top-of-the-line robotic pool cleaner with wireless remote control, for example.