Just bought a house in Las Vegas with a pool and....

[Watermom]

We typically do not suggest totally draining a pool. Also, acid washing is a last resort because it removes a layer of your finish and makes a pool more likely to stain.

[PoolDoc]

Watermom's right, but since you are in the desert, draining shouldn't be too much of an issue.

However, if they were supposed to maintain the pool, I'd think it's worth a phone call to see if they can be prevailed upon to clean the mess up. Otherwise I'd plan to spend some personal time with a pressure washer!

[St8kout]

Thought I'd let you guys know that my realtor came to the rescue by finding someone to put to pool back into pristine condition for $400, with each of us contributing $100 (me, seller, and the 2 realtors). Although I shouldn't have had to pay anything it's better than being stuck with the entire cost. They drained, acid washed, chlorine washed (hadn't heard of that before), refilled, and added whatever chemicals were needed. They even cleaned the automatic bottom crawler/cleaner thingy (whatever it's called) as it and the hose were green from the algae. They checked out all the equipment to make sure everything was running properly and set the pump timer. Guess they've had a lot of experience with all the green pools at all the foreclosed houses here.

I haven't seen it yet but the realtor was very impressed with their work. Says it looks brand new and was thinking about getting them to do his own pool, not that it needs all that went into mine.

Closing on the house in 3 weeks and can't wait to jump in

Oh, one question. There's a float mechanism and I was thinking it was to shut off the pump if the water level got to low, to keep the pump from sucking air. Realtor says its to automatically add water to the pool to keep it filled due to evaporation. Which is it? Seems to me protecting the pump makes more sense, although either way it insures that the pump doesn't run dry.

[PoolDoc]

Oh, one question. There's a float mechanism . . .

Can't tell from here, but auto-fill valves are a lot more common than pump protection devices.

In the past 3 - 4 years, there've been requirements on COMMERCIAL pools, to have pump auto-shutoff devices, to prevent 'gut-sucking' accidents, which can occur when someone sits on an improperly installed main drain. But, I don't think those are common on residential pools.

[St8kout]

Still waiting to close on this house, but in the meantime, can anyone give me a primer on using the valves shown? There are 3 inlets going into the pump, obviously main drain, skimmer, and jacuzzi drain, with 2 open/close valves.

Then coming out of the pump and before going into the filter there is a T joint, with a small pipe going into the ground. This pipe has a small open/close valve between the T and the ground. Don't have a clue what it's for or where it's going. My best guess is it's to drain the pool.

There's one valve-less pipe from the outlet of the filter, into the water heater. Then out of the heater to a pair of pipes back into the ground. One to the jacuzzi and the other to the pool I assume. (2nd pic)

There's also a cylinder sticking up out of the ground by the heater labeled Bromine. No obvious way to tell how it's connected underground. It's to the left of the green gas pipe in the 2nd pic.

There's no obvious way to do a backflush that neither me nor my realtor (who also has a pool) can figure out. Or does this kind of system not need one?

We found the jacuzzi water-jet switch, but it makes a screeching sound like a bearing is shot. The sound is coming from within the heater housing.




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On a side note, I never saw them but the realtor told me the "city" had posted stickers on my garage door about the green pool. Seems they were going to issue a fine if it wasn't cleaned up soon.

My question is, how in the world did they even know about it? And a fine? Really? The only way they could possibly see it is either by aircraft or walk to the backyard up to the stone fence and look over. Hmm, maybe a neighbor did it so he can use it while the house is empty? Luckily we did put padlocks on the gates after they cleaned it in case any kids had their eye on it.