Clean pool?

Q. Okay, so I have this giant inground pool. I've had it for a few years (previous owners built it). Every time I open it, it is all green with algae. I know this will happen, but it takes me over 2 weeks to clean! It's only supposed to take a few days, one week at the most! I bought a new filter last year and it is still green. I always scrub it with an algae scrubber and vacuum the pool (p.s. what's the correct way to vacuum an inground pool?). I have the proper chemicals added too. What can I do to help clean it up faster?

Answer
I hope this isn't too long of an answer, but I hope it helps!

Adding the proper chemicals is what you should be doing, however you also need to make sure those chemicals are in proper balance with each other. Make sure your chlorine levels are where they should be and, more importantly, that they stay there.

Do you cover your pool in the winter? I don't cover mine; cleaning my pool is a year-round process. That means I'm not very familiar with cleaning techniques during winter if you do cover it, but I don't think that cleaning algae out of it is something you should have to do every year.

Sustaining circulation is also a good way to keep algae from clinging to the sides of your pool. Once they attach, they grow and spread quickly. Our pump runs for at least a few hours, every day...unless we go on a day trip out of town. I've also had my pump break down on me a few times where I had 0 circulation in my pool and within a week, my pool water went from a little cloudy to looking like green mud.

Are you familiar with backwashing? Diatomaceous earth (DE)? Sand? Backwashing is flushing your filter screens (in the pump) of small contaminants like dirt and algae particles. DE and sand is the filter aid you use that coats the screens of your filter to keep the stuff from getting re-deposited into your pool via the jets. Just look at the manufacturer's label on the pump and it should tell you what kind of filter you have; this should tell you what kind of filter aid it uses.

As for a "correct" way to vacuum, well there's really no right and wrong way to do it. There's automatic skimmer vacuums you can buy that get propulsion from your pump, and there's manual ones where you do it all yourself. The automatic ones will be pricier of course, but if you don't like breaking out in sweats or standing in bitter cold wind to operate a manual one, they can be life-savers.

Any questions you have can be directed to your local pool supply store; I prefer Leslie's myself, if you have one nearby--www.lesliespool.com. You can buy water test kits there; you dunk a test strip in the water and check where your chemical levels are so if any of them are off, they can be corrected. However, most places like this will also test a sample of the water you bring to their store and will offer advice.

How can I clean a pool that has algae?

ivan584

there's algae all over the sides of the pool and not much in the water

Answer
Hi Ivan, boy do I know this project! We had a beautiful 800 gallon, waterfall in our back yard, under a tree with sticky seeds that fell year-round. It's first name was green! So, I can tell you that pool supply companies, and some home or hardware stores carry algaecides that will do the job.

Preventative measures are the best. Use the pool sweeper to sweep down the sides of the pool daily. You can buy automatic sweepers, but you do need to check that they are doing the job -following them up at least weekly is best. If a lot of leaves get into the pool, remove them daily. If not so many get in the pool, every few days is good. But if the leaves build up, so will the algae. Make sure children, pets, and guests understand they must not go in the pool muddy or even a little dirty -that's what eats up your chlorine.

It's important to check the chlorine levels daily. This is the best thing you do to keep the pool safe and healthy. Don't skip this! Pool services abound, so you don't have to do all these things yourself. If you have a tree with small leaves near the pool, or where it's leaves get blown into the pool, remove it. If there are small gardens around the pool, exchange small-leaved shrubs for larger leaved shrubs, put down landscape fabric (NEVER black plastic) around the shrubs, and cover with a 4" layer of rock. Bark can be blown into the pool by wind.
I allow email through Yahoo! Answers if you have more questions. Just go to my profile page and click on the blue email line.

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My swimming pool "Kreepy Krauly" automatic cleaner doesn't work well...?

jagercrow

Just bought a house with a pool. Got everything under control except for the "Kreepy Krauly" in the pool. I can get it to work, however, 1.) It sometimes won't stay suctioned flat on the pool surface. The back end will start to lift up. Is that normal? 2.) It will usually work for 5-10 minutes and then just stop dead. I make sure the filter is completelty clean. Why would it just stop? 3.) It seems like it is very repetitive. It sometimes just goes over the same area it already cleaned. Isn't it suppose to be "random" and clean the pool in its entirety? I don't want to have to fork out for some pool guy to come out and really want to try and do this pool thing on my own. Any help would be appreciated!!

Answer
Either get it looked at/repaired, or get a new one. Yes, it should randomly move around the pool, but it sometimes goes over the same spot multiple times. Also, sort of random, those things creep me out :). I refuse to go near them in the pool.

Are you a pool cleaner? Please help me pick a Kreepy Krauly...?

MagPookie

Should I get the Kreepy Krauly Classic or Kruiser model? The classic seems more popular although the kruiser supposedly works better. There's good and bad reviews for both and I just can't decide.

I have an irregular shaped fiberglass coated in-ground pool. My current one just died and it never could get in the corners or the stairs. Any info you can provide is appreciated. Thanks.

Answer
Both Kreepy Krauly models are very good automatic pool cleaners. I think that the classic is a better option, but either will work great.

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Does anyone have an above ground pool automatic vacuum they can recommend?

thereshego

I have a 12 ft. easy-set intex pool and the only problem i'm having is getting the small algae particals that settle to the floor up after I've used algaecide and clarifier. I just have one of those cheap $12 vacuums and all it does is shuffle the algae around again. Can anyone recommend one and tell me approximately how much it is?

Answer
I wouldn't be without a Polaris pool cleaner. It is by far the best and we've owned several different ones.

New house - how do I take care of our pool?

Eric C

Details - Inground pool, approximately 70,000 gallons.

Answer
There's really not much detail here other than the volume. I could write a book and not cover what you need. If you post back with filter type, pool type (concrtet or vinyl), heater or no heater, type of sanitizer being used and any automatic pool cleaners, it would be helpful. There's simply too many things to cover other than basic water chemistry. I usually suggest to new home owners that they get a pool service guy in once, to give them waht our company calls pool 101's. Many service companies will do this for you and it won't cost much more than a service call (50 bucks). You'll get a personalized lesson, that's good for your specific set up and equipment. Take notes and if possible videotape the lesson. Hey, don't laugh, I think I'm starring in over 100 home videos by now. This way you can review what you've learned.
I'll go over some basics, common to most pools.
1/ check your chemistry at least once week. Total alkalinity 80-120 , Ph 7.2- 7.6, Cl or Br 1.0 -3.0. Always adjust your TA before trying to adjust anything else contrary to what I see in some of these posts ( still giggling, little wonder people's pools go green)
2/ Vac out the pool on at least a weekly basis. Keeping it clean helps lower your overall chemical expenditures.
3/ Clean out you pump and skimmer baskets on at least a weekly basis and same goes for whatever filter system you are using, unless it's a DE filter, you can leave those longer.
4/ Every month or so, take a water sample into your pool shop to be tested. They test for things a typical home owner's kit doesn't. If you're developing a calcium hardness issue, total dissolved solids or a dissolved metal issue, they can nip it in the bud before any damage occurs. You should also take in a sample 2 weeks prior to closing the pool (if applicable) and within a few days of pool opening (if applicable). Helps you put the pool to bed properly and get off to a good start in spring.
That's all I can post given the info you provided. Every pool is different. I'll put this on my watch list, if you update and may be able to help further.

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Aqua EZ pool cleaner automatic or similar?

Jenn E

Anyone have this type of pool cleaner or this particular one that you can buy from Lowes does it work good? We really need one for our pool. How does it work? thanks

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=209556-1003-APC389&lpage=none

Answer
I bought that one a few years ago when my polaris went on the fritz. Don't waste your money on it. It is terrible. I found a place for parts on the internet and fixed my polaris. If you want something similar that works pretty well then look up automatic pool cleaners and look at Kreepy Krawly. That one works pretty well. I probably did not spell it right. Good luck.

we have a big pool and wondering what we can do to keep it clean?

motheroffo

we purchased a big pool and we bought the shock treatment chlorine tablets more filters leaf skimmer ect u name it but our pump went out we are waiting on another one but the water kindof stinks and its not clear like before. also how can we get the leafs that are on the bottom? do they make something special for that please help

Answer
A manual leaf net that you can use to scoop the leaves out would work. Also, an automatic pool cleaner would be a good option. One of these cleaners, along with proper shock and chlorine, should have your pool clean in no time.

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Maintenance on an inground pool?

Em

I have never owned an inground pool and am looking to purchase a home that has one. However, I don't know anything about how much money, trouble, and effort it takes to keep one up, as far as maintenance. Please give me a clue...?

Answer
Keeping water in it helps, you also need to keep the water stabilized, proper PH, chlorine level, acidity etc. You will need to clean the filter or replace the media, which ever the case maybe, every 2-6 weeks or so depending on usage, if its screened in etc. It will also need to be vacuumed or you will have to get an automatic pool cleaner (which requires maintenance of its own). And eventually you will need to resurface your pool or deck, repair tile, replace your pool pump and filter, repair broken return or intake lines, repair the lighting. If you live in a climate where if freezes you will have to winterize your pool, whatever that entails. You also have to deal with homeowners insurance rules and local laws concerning safety fences, alarms and other things, I am sure I am forgetting something.

I don't mean to scare you....it's pretty easy to do most of these things, I spend about 1.5 hours a week at the most on my pool, and it is affordable if you do it yourself. If you don't want to do the weekly maintenance yourself get a pool service, in my area of Florida it is about $15-$20 a week and they check all of the water quality perimeters and add the appropriate chemicals (that you supply) and vacuum.

Can an automatic pool cleaner (a polaris) cause a leak?

Clharris20

I have an inground fiberglass pool and have been loosing about an inch of water a day. I read other answers and tried the bucket test and also marked the side of the pool with electrical tape to track.
I have noticed that my polaris has been shooting quite a bit of water out of the pool via splashing or getting stuck but the problem only began about a week and a half ago and I have had a polaris for years.
I completely shut the polaris off one morning before work just to test that theory. When I came home at the end of the day, the water level was fine! Then I turned the polaris on and after about an hour of running, the level dropped about a quarter of an inch.
I know water always flows through the polaris piping but could the surge in pressure after turning the polaris motor cause a minor crack to begin leaking?

Side note: my main drain line at the bottom of the pool has either clogged or collapsed but that has been the case for about a year and the pool has always looked crystal clear and maintained good water levels.
Any ideas or thoughts would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

Answer
If the pool only leaks when the polaris pump is running it, it is almost certainly a break in the pipe between the booster pump and the pool. When the pump is running there is a lot mor pressure in the pipe so it will leak a lot quicker.
A leak detection company should be able to pin point where the leak is, and then a pool company can dig it up and fix it.

Look for wet soil in garden beds, etc. with the pump running.
Palm trees are the biggest culprit in breaking pool pipes.

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my automatic pool cleaner is not working?

Justice

what should i do ro check out to see wny my automatic pool cleaner(polaris turtle) is not working?

Answer
I cannot find the website for polaris, seems they were sold not too long ago. I could be wrong on that.

If your turtle plugs into the skimmer or fitting in the water and there is not a separate pump to operate it, likely the turtle is a suction side automatic cleaner.

Suction side automatic cleaners all have something in common and that is when your filter is getting dirty the amount of water going through your cleaner and filter is way down. Inside your cleaner is a water paddle wheel that makes the turtle go.

Check your turtle to see if the passage ways are clean and clear and the hose is also, then clean out your filter. A clean filter should develop about 16-20psi when clean. When dirty and needing cleaning the pressure is about 26-30 or a 10 psi gain. Best to clean before 10 psi but surely by 10 psi.

You're welcome!!

What is the best automatic inground pool cleaner? What brand and price?

Francaise

Its a vinyl inground pool. Rectangular 18x36. Also budget is an issue, I am looking at spending $500 or less.

Answer
After 25 years of hearing how great floor head systems are, I have come to a conclusion. If your pool would have stayed looking nice with any cleaning system in your pool, it will stay nice with a floor head system.
If you plan on owning a pool for 5-6 years, or longer, in my opinion the best cleaning system(Dollar for Dollar) is a Polaris 280 with a booster pump and a separate time clock. The reasons are as follows:
1.)Low cost of repairs. I have clients with Polaris 180âs that are 25 years old. (The 280 has the same drive system.) Total repair costs in 25 years are less than $300.00 total (Not counting bag replacements.) I Personally, have owned a Polaris 280 for almost 5 years and have not spent a dime. (other than on 2 bags, and one of them was torn by my kids, and the other by a big pine cone. )

2.)It will clean most pools spotless in 10-20 minutes per day. You have seen our (5) 40â plus Ponderosa pines that overhang our pool area. Not counting steps and love seat, if we keep the bag cleaned, the floor stays spotless.

3.)Initial installation costs should be in the $1400.00-1600.00 range. Floor head systems are usually about double the initial expense. Also, the motor for the cleaning system is usually a 2 H.P. or larger, and the pool needs to run for substantially greater times to even get close to what a Polaris will do in ½ hour or less. Also, if you are not the initial purchaser of the system, you will not get a lifetime warrantee. Replacement gear systems, floor heads, ⦠can average more than $200.00 per year after the first 2 year, not to mention if the cleaner is not working correctly, i.e. heads jammed in the up position, actuator gears jammed, ⦠you are running that large motor with absolutely no cleaning going on. Any way you look at it, running a ¾ H.P. booster motor for 20-30 minutes is going to be a lot cheaper than running a 2 H.P. for 3-4 hours. Add into this that most motors run for more than 2 hours per day seem to have a life span in the 5-6 year range, and that a 2 H.P. motor is about double the cost, I cannot see spending the money.

4.)Suction side cleaners have a lower initial cost, but are annoying because either they will not pick up sticks, twigs, small rocks, ⦠or they will, and then they will completely stop working until you spend 10 minutes pulling them out and cleaning the debris out of them. Some of these will end up needing replacement parts just because of punctured diaphragms, ⦠This is in addition to an average annual repair cost of about $200-250, after the first year or two. In less than 5 years(More likely 3 years), if you add in electricity savings, pool cleanliness and thus chemical costs savings, and electrical savings, you have more than paid for the Polaris. If you add to this the fact that, if you have a suction side cleaner, you will have had to bring it in to the shop at least 4-5 times, having a non-functional cleaning system, thus a horridly dirty pool at least 4-5 times, the fact that often it dies a slow death each time so your pool doesnât look right for months prior to each rebuilding, and the repeated hassles of needing to unplug the system when ever any ârealâ debris ends up in the pool, and I wonât have anything else in my pool, or my families pools. To summarize, If you are buying a cleaner and are selling the home quickly, I would probably go with a pool Vac(if there are no rocks, sticks, big leaves, ⦠In other words, dirt only, but your annual repair costs will be high) or a Kreepy Krauley if you have anything else(Or want 40% less repair costs than the Pool Vac).

5.)Floor heads, or suction cleaners destroy the natural water flow around the pool which is responsible for moving the debris around to the skimmer on the surface, and for moving silt, and dirt to the main drain. Therefore, the surface areas of both sides of the pool(If the cleaners are functioning properly) will be an average of 20-40% dirtier than the same pool with a pool vac, return lines properly adjusted, and approximately ¾ of the suction of the pool going to the main drain. Also, since almost all of the suction for a suction side cleaner is directed to the cleaner, and thatâs run through an extra 30 feet or so of corrugated hose, the water flow is greatly reduced, and to get the same water filtration you will need to run that system approximately 25% -30% longer than a system without a suction cleaner. Thatâs 1 ¾ hrs longer running a 1 H.P. motor than is needed to run the ¾ H.P booster. Also, as a suction cleaner picks up debris, assuming it doesnât get plugged up and stop functioning all together, the baskets will fill up and all the suction to the pool will decrease or stop. There are times during the year where about 60% of the repair work I do is related to suction cleaning systems picking up too much debris. Note: This is never covered under any warrantee.

There is more that I could add, but I am too tired to do so now. Installation is as follows:

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I'm looking to buy an automatic pool cleaner for an in-ground pool. Any suggestions on best brand and type?

Lynn

Answer
You didn't mention your budget. If you're looking to spend 300 dollars or under, then from a service guy's point of view on effectiveness, cost, ease of repair, least things that go wrong with them, it's a Kreepy Krauly, hands down.
Sure Baracudda markets itself as having no moving parts, but the one part that does all the action also wears out on a yearly basis. If you ask me, it's also a moving part, so their literature is pretty misleading.
If you're budget allows spending over a grand, then the Polaris vac sweep 360 or 380 is most certainly the way to go. The only issue here is if your pool currently has a plumbing line going to the pool it can use. Without one, you'll have to go the over deck route, which then is a hose to trip over, lying on the deck. That's the only drawback.
These two cleaners are totally different in their collection and operation. The Kreepy uses suction side plumbing (debris to the pump basket and filter), the Polaris uses pressure side, with it's own booster pump and it's collection is a bag attached to the Polaris head.

I have an automatic pool cleaner that looks like a ladybug that doesnt work.?

lanamerlit

She will suck dirt but will not move. If anyone has any ideas please let me know. They are expensive and I would like to repair before I buy a new one. Thanks.

Answer
Try asking this in the SWIMMING AND DIVING section. This is POOL & SNOOKER

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Storage unit problem pleas help ?

Q. Okay so I have recently rented a storage unit for my pool supplies because I own a pool cleaning service and keep it there i go there often but every time I go there is a pice of equipment moved like it was thrown againts the wall. So I told the manager and he said he would keep a look out. So I was on vacation and when I checked up on it the unit was comletly ransacked. I told the manager what had happened and he said that every night he here'd some loud noises coming from it but he couldn't get in (I have the only key) then he let my even review the security tape and you can see the unit doors shaking violently. So I had had enough and I put a camera in it. The results where shocking. You can see in the footage a white mist moving all around the unit and moving things around. I showed the manager the footage and he said that he did not know what it was. What could it be? I moved my stuff t another unit and it happened again. I can't move locations because there is not a rental place for miles.

Answer
Contact someone at http://www.paranormalsocieties.com and let them know about your video footage. (Assuming you're not trolling for fun ;)

Storage unit problem?

Q. Okay so I have recently rented a storage unit for my pool supplies because I own a pool cleaning service and keep it there i go there often but every time I go there is a pice of equipment moved like it was thrown againts the wall. So I told the manager and he said he would keep a look out. So I was on vacation and when I checked up on it the unit was comletly ransacked. I told the manager what had happened and he said that every night he here'd some loud noises coming from it but he couldn't get in (I have the only key) then he let my even review the security tape and you can see the unit doors shaking violently. So I had had enough and I put a camera in it. The results where shocking. You can see in the footage a white mist moving all around the unit and moving things around. I showed the manager the footage and he said that he did not know what it was. What could it be? I moved my stuff t another unit and it happened again. What could it be

Answer
Storage Wars-The Supernatural Edition

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