Getting started

[Lowdown]

My wife and I are buying a house with a pool here in so. Cal. I have very little knowledge of pools and this makes me a bit nervous. I am here to gain as much knowledge as I can to help care for my pool and save as much $$ as possible while doing so. First thing that concerns me is the condition of the pool, meaning the surface. It looks ok to me but I'm not a professional, but I do see a problem. The pool has been painted and the paint is peeling in many different places mostly at the bottom. What is the best way to remedy this problem, and what does it generally cost to fix?

[PoolDoc]

You can't coat a bad coating -- paint, fiberglass, plaster, whatever -- you have to remove it and then replace it.

Unless you are going to try to do-it-yourself, the ONLY way to answer the "how much" question is to get quotes. But, let me offer a caution: be VERY careful not to simply pick the lowest price; make sure you verify that the person offering the price CAN and WILL do a good job.

Many pool contractors are 'hungry' these days, and are susceptible to taking work they don't really know how to do, in order to keep going. I can't blame them for that: I have many, many times taken on tasks I'd never done before. In fact, I'm about to begin some work of that sort in the next month. By God's grace, I've usually been successful, but I've seen many, many cases that were not.

I will be doing a major (8,000 sft -- 200,000 gallons pool) epoxy recoat & leak repair in spring 2013, on a commercial customer's pool. The cost will probably be ~ $28,000, even though they just had the pool redone in spring 2010. The problem was, I had quoted that work at $20,000, and they took my quote and work description and shopped it around. They found someone who claimed they'd do a job "just as good" for $11,000. It was a mess, and hurt both my customer and the contractor, who I understand went bankrupt. Now, my customer is going to pay MORE for me to clean up the mess, but only partially. So they will end up spending around $39,000 for $20,000 worth of work . . . and the outcome will not be as good as it would have been if they'd let me have it originally!

This sort of thing is very, very common.

By the way, I've told the club manager that I will NOT give them any detailed specs this time, that his board can shop around, and he agreed! Way too many contractors try to use a more experienced contractor's bid offering as a set of instructions for them to follow! Do NOT let that happen to you!

[Lowdown]

Thanks PoolDoc. I will definitely get quotes from a few companies and do research on them before I make a decision. I absolutely want it done right. Would you repaint the surface if the surface under the old paint is in good condition or is there a better product you can recommend other than paint? I understand that painting is something that if done right will last up to 6 years or so.

[PoolDoc]

Kelley Technical's Zeron can last up to 6 years if done right, but don't count on more than 5. Check out their site:

http://www.kelleytech.com/

for what is, and isn't possible.

I'm sure that some of the other paints are OK, but I know that some of them are not, and I don't have reliable info on which are which . . . so I'd recommend Kelley.

Do NOT let a contractor apply it thinly to save money and make application easier: YOU buy the paint and make SURE it all goes on the pool! Doheny's online has had fairly good prices.

[Lowdown]

Ok. Thanks for the advice

[Lowdown]

I have been researching the BBB method and I am unsure of one thing, does the bleach replace the chlorine tabs or is it used along with the tabs? I think it replaces the tabs but want to be sure. Also I was price checking the BBB products vs. There pool store counter parts and found that typically a 4 lb. Box of baking soda was more ($17) than a 5 lb. Bucket of alkalinity up ($13). but kept searching and found a 12 lb. Bag of baking soda for ($7). Where is a good place to shop for these products? I was using amazon

[Watermom]

I have been researching the BBB method and I am unsure of one thing, does the bleach replace the chlorine tabs or is it used along with the tabs? I think it replaces the tabs but want to be sure.

Ben already answered this part of your question in your other thread.

Also I was price checking the BBB products vs. There pool store counter parts and found that typically a 4 lb. Box of baking soda was more ($17) than a 5 lb. Bucket of alkalinity up ($13). but kept searching and found a 12 lb. Bag of baking soda for ($7). Where is a good place to shop for these products? I was using amazon

You can buy a big bag (maybe 10 or 12 lbs?) cheap at Sam's Club.

[Lowdown]

Other thread? I was unaware I had another thread. Weird. This is the only thread that I'm aware of that I created. Trying to search now for my other thread, only prob. Is I don't know where it is or the title. I wasn't sure my question went through, I came back here a few times and no one answered, so I asked again. Sorry for confusion will continue to try to find this other thread you speak of. If you would be so kind as to point me in the right direction to find the thread I would appreciate it. Thanks Watermom

[Lowdown]

I found it. Thanks

[BigDave]

... I was price checking the BBB products vs. There pool store counter parts and found that typically a 4 lb. Box of baking soda was more ($17) than a 5 lb. Bucket of alkalinity up ($13)... I was using amazon

Yo, LowDown. Got the straight dope, on the down low. A grocery store has the 64oz A&H for $2.79 here on the right coast. Check a left coast grocery. Yo.