Hi Everyone,

Great forum here, tons of info!

I just bought a house with a nice in ground pool spa and waterfall combo.
and I know zero about pools outside of swimming in them so im a lot green.

I took a water sample to the pool store and they told me I will have to drain my pool and refill it so they can give me the right chemicals.
They said there are to many chemicals in it already and that the calcium is way to high.

This is my first experience at a pool store and these guys didnt seem like the brightest. After reading through some posts here I see that may be a common thing at pool stores.

I want to know about my pool and not rely on anyone having to tell me what it needs. I really like the BBB method and am thinking since I have to drain my pool anyhow than maybe I should start out with somthing I have control of.
Any direction or advice will be greatly appreciated.

Also, I know my pool must be able to drain itself. I have tried to get it to work (the spa was easy it had a label on the box) but with so many valves and pipes I dont know which to turn. Shouldnt I be able to make it drain or will I need a pump? (For plumbing I have a waterfall, with pool and spa pump and a heater - all automated)

Thanks,

Ken