Pool Maintenance-Help Please!!!!!!!!
 

This is my first full summer with an inground pool. Had is open for a few months after we got the house last August, managed to really screw it up!! Water was cloudy right up until close.

It's an inground, 16x34, about 9' in the deep end. This year I plan to shock it and algicide it weekly while using pucks to keep chlorine up.

A few questions for those with experience:

1. How many pucks in the skimmer at a time for this size pool? Do you just kep one at all times, replacing when gone or put a bunch in once weekly?

2. Should I invest in an auto chlorinator for the pucks? I've heard it's better for your liner especially if you do not run your pump 24 hours/day?

3. Is liquid chlorine best for weekely shocking or will it shorten liner life?

4. Is opening/closing really that complicated or can it be done without paying someone els an arm and a leg?

Thanks, any other tips are greatly appreciated!!

This is what I did -

I paid a pool guy to come out to my house, look at my pool and tell me how to take care of it. He charged me for an hour of his time. It was well worth it.

Every pool is different. A pool will act differently at different times. Seasonal variables like unlight, wind, pollen, etc all affect a pool.

Do not shock it weekly. That's waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too much.

I'll chime in on Clavus - where the pool is in relation to your yard, the plant life around, your climate, all will make a difference in the required maintenance for your pool. If you shock once a week, your eyes will hate you.

I’m not pool maintenance expert but I did own a house with a pool (much smaller than yours) a few years back. The water pH and alkalinity have a lot to do with the effectiveness of the chlorine or any chemical you put in. The more often you use the pool the longer you run the filter and more chlorine tablets you add.

If you live in a warm climate and the pool is covered in shade, or if you use a solar cover, then you will likely have algae problems. If it’s to a point where shock treatments won’t revive the water, drain it, scrub it and thoroughly clean out the filters.

I was able to keep the water clean / clear up until we sold the house, I’d say about 6 or 7 years. You might want to have someone access the damage and see what solutions they offer.

ok, let me reach back into my old lifeguard days....

I will ditto the above about shocking the pool, i ran a public pool and we didn't do it once a week.

Also, if i remember correctly, cloudiness was related to pH. If the water is too acidic, you use soda ash to bring it back and if it is too base, you use Muriatic Acid to get it back. You might want to get a tester and check your pH, i think it may be a little out of wack and that is something that is pretty easy to control.

I have a similarl size pool. Living in Northern Florida I shock it weekly (~1.25gal)--the sun and heat really reduce the effects of the Chlorine. I have an automatic chlorinater, and would'nt be without it--refill it about every 10 to 14 days. During the summer I have the water tested about once a week at a local pool place, they do it for free, but I do buy my chemicals there. I keep the chemicals balanced in the winter as well, testing about once every three months: I found that if I didn't the stairs and ladder would stain.

The best way to maintain your pool is to test it. The little test kits aren't very expensive, and will allow you to check the PH of the water as well as the chlorine levels. It only takes 5 minutes to test, and you can customize your chlorine usage based on that.

PH is pretty easy to screw up when you first open the pool, but once you get it right it's pretty easy to maintain.

Dude, just take a sample in to your store once a week and let them tell you what to put in. It's that simple and you won't do something stupid.

Then, run a Baracuda or some other cleaner and brush the walls once a week.

Since you live in a seasonal area, have a pro open and close it so you won't have trouble.

Pool chemistry is not a battle, it is a subtle balancing act. Test your water daily and adjust chemistry a little. PH is key to the effictiveness of the chlorine and has a lot to do with chlorine eye burn.

Bought a house with a pool 2 and a half years ago. I did what Clavus did, hired someone to give me a quick course. Worked great.

I would add that the part of the country you are in will make a huge difference in the opening/closing proceedure. I live in Tx and what I have to do is so much easier than what a good friend of mine has to do on Long Island. The two proceedures are not even comparable really.

I will also agree with all those here who say the key is to chemical test often. I don't test daily all the time but I do test at least 3 times a week regardless of use and if we are using it heavy I test every day. PH is the key to chlorine and alkalinity seems to be the key to PH. Your local pool place should have fairly cheap test kits that will work great. I would recommend replacing the test kit every 12 months. I noticed odd results when I let my kit get old.