Buying a house with a pool--need advice

[jmac31]

Hey thanks for the tutorial on making that. Once we get in to the house I'll probably be asking you questions about it and whether I am making it correctly or not =). One note, the returns are plugged, you think that means it was winterized? About the liner, what is the best way to check for a tear in it? I am not getting into this pool in it's current condition =).

Thanks everyone.

[Poconos]

The fact the returns are plugged is a GOOD sign. Can also look if the pump has the drain plug pulled or is dry, and same with the filter. As for the liner, finding small tears can be a PITA. Best way is to fill it and see if the level drops. At its present level you can try and give a good visual around the waterline because if it was leaking the leak would stop at the present level. Stairs are a pretty common place for leaks at the pinch strips or whatever they're called.
On the leak test jig, if I don't get the pic thing solved I can always email stuff to you when the time comes.
Al

[jmac31]

So we closed on the house Friday and painted the inside over the weekend. I am now starting on the pool! Started cleaning it tonight, but ran into a snag. I was taking the leaves and twigs out with the leaf rake and noticed that the water was not draining from the rake and making it extremely heavy. I then noticed the problem, we have a cottonwood tree in the back yard which has deposited a ton of cotton on the bottom of the pool. About an hour or so into my cleaning my pole bent and snapped. Anyone have any suggestions for this? Can I get a stronger pole? Do I have to just watch how much I am picking up?

Also, on a separate note, I started looking at my pipes, filter, and pump. I noticed that one of the pipes was cut through, this one goes under the concrete. I am assuming it goes to the skimmer or the drain. I will upload some pictures tomorrow and see if you guys can help me figure out what all these pipes are for and what I am missing.

Thanks for all the help.

[pigbat]

Some pools in this region have a dedicated cleaner line that was never hooked up and may be cut at the pump end. You should have a line coming back to your pump from the main drain and 1 from each skimmer. If it's the extra one that's cut, it could be the dedicated cleaner line. Pics would be very helpful.

[jmac31]

Hey guys. I think I am almost finished cleaning the leaves, twigs, and cotton out of the pool. Should I fill it after I am done with that or scrub the sides first? Also I have attached some pictures of the pipes and a picture of the pool so you can see how nasty it is . The red arrows point to the pipe that has been cut. If you could let me know what all the pipes are that would be awesome.

Thanks again.

[jmac31]

Anyone make heads or tails of these pipes? I'm assuming the one that is cut is not an extra and that it will need replaced.

[Poconos]

Yuck !! Hope you don't find a corpse in the bottom of that mess.
I'm not sure of the plumbing but I'm guessing the cut pipes may have been for the heater which seems to have its ports capped and disconnected? Also, I'm wondering if there is another pump somewhere. I don't understand the skinny pipes in and out of the pump transitioning to what looks like 1.5" pipe. Almost like the pump shown was some kind of very low flow circulation pump and not the main pump.
Anyone with more ideas?
Al