Pros and cons of getting a backyard pool?

poolgirl22

Inground. I guess I know the pros. Wanting to know if the pros outweigh the cons. I have a 5 & 10 yr old. Is maintaining it overly costly or time consuming. I would be the pool guy.

Answer
Get the pool, but only if you are willing to "feed it" just as you would a pet. DAILY-- even when you can't use it because it's too cold. You must commit to cleaning (made easier by automatic cleaners), checking and adjusting chemicals, emptying bags and baskets, adding water to it. Higher utility bills are a given. Pools don't cost much in repairs UNTIL the warranties expire. Then get ready!
And, most importantly, do NOT buy price! Quality costs money. Remember, this fixture is attached to your property and can add to-- or take away from-- your property value. It will not add as much value as it's cost, however.
Consider a pool as you would a room addition. An outdoor room!

Question for Inground pool owners?

Dani

We are a family of 4 and wanting to buy a house with an inground pool. We have never owned a house with a pool before, so we are basically clueless as to what all it entails. I know we would use the pool a lot. So, we were wondering:

1. How much is upkeep (pool service, chemicals, etc.)
2. How much does it add to your house taxes
3. We live in Arizona, so would it be beneficial to have saltwater or chlorine
4. Anything else we need to consider / advice

Thanks in advance!!

Answer
1. I've found that upkeep costs differ from season to season; we'll spend far more on the pool during the swimming season than in the winter months. I have an in-ground gunite, and in the summer, ballpark cost figure I would guess would be $500 total. No pool service or hired cleaner; we do it all ourselves. Again, this is an estimate!!! It depends a lot on where you buy your supplies, how often you use your pool, etc.

2. I am not aware of any huge chunk it costs to our property taxes, if anything at all. Hell, our homeowner's insurance is only $8 a year more for our pool, and that's because we have a diving board.

3. I've heard some pretty great things about saltwater pools. Chlorine is derived from salt, so maintenance is supposed to be a lot easier and less time-consuming.

4. If you do get a pool, make sure you buy locks for all gates leading into your back yard, if they don't have any already. I use just a simple locker-combination lock on mine.

Pools can be time-consuming if you want them looking great day after day, so if you want a great looking pool but don't want to spend a lot of time on it, you should seriously reconsider. I don't consider cleaning mine a chore; I wanted a pool in my house so I consider myself responsible for it's care. It is a hobby for me, as swimming is my favorite sport.

Essential cleaning supplies: a brush, a vacuum (manual or automatic; automatic will wash hours of cleaning time off your hands), a hose that covers the length and depth of the pool, a skimmer pole, skimmer net; I have one flat one and one that's a basket, a chemical test kit to see how the chemcial levels in your water are, and a "backflow" garden hose attachment for possible clogs in your underground pipes. Depending on your pump system too, you might also require a backwash hose. Also keep in good supply of chlorine tabs (big duh, right?!), pH add and/or decrease, alkalinity plus, some filter aid (sand or DE, again depending on what kind of filter you have) and some bags of shock, just for extra measure. I don't do this myself, but I know some pool owners also keep algaecide handy, even though you only need to use that for an algae outbreak in your water. But that should only happen if you don't take care of it! And I tell you all of this because if you have to buy all that stuff at once, it will get VERY expensive. We specifically looked for a pool that already had all the equipment there; we just had to buy the chemicals and even then, the water was already in pretty good shape so we didn't have to buy every single chemical all at once.

I hope I didn't ramble on too much. But I enjoy my swimming pool immensely and enjoy entertaining my friends and family with it. It's a wonderful investment, as long as you don't consider taking care of it a problem. Happy swimming!

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

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:

What's the best automatic pool cleaner?

ce

Polaris, Aquabot, Dolphin, Orion or some other one?

Answer
I have a Polaris 360. Does a good job for the amount of money. Gets stuck in the corners quite allot. I've had it for 3 years and the only thing I have had to do is change the wheels. They were worn down. I also have changed the bag that collects the debris.

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

Can anyone tell me what the best automatic in-ground pool cleaner is?

kittenscla

I just got an in-ground pool and am looking to purchase an automatic cleaner. I haved checked out all the info I can, but can't seem to come to a decision! I don't want to spend $700-$1000 on a product only to find out it doesn't work! I don't mind spending the money if I know it's going to be worth it!

Answer
Depends on the kind of dirt you need to pick up. Generally speaking, "suction side" cleaners that constantly vacuum your pool (hose goes into your skimmer) are best when you have mostly dust and dirt. They tend to have difficulty with larger debris like leaves and needles. If that is you main debris then I suggest a "pressure side" cleaner. Some of these have a booster pump, some don't. But they all use a hose with water pressure to propel them. They have a debris bag that will collect the leaves very well, but dust and dirt may go through the bag.

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.

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

Pool plumbing clogged?

Lynn

My 3 year old dropped a carrot in the pool and the automatic vacuum sucked it up. Now the automatic cleaner is running very slow. Is it the actual vacuum or the plumbing that is clogged?

Answer
If this is a pool sweep that crawls around in the pool sucking up debris I can assure you the carrot is in the vacuum itself. Turn it off, haul it out of the pool and empty the container or bag. If this is one of the new vacuum systems that have water jets sequentially pushing the debris to one area where a drain opens and captures the debris you may or may not have clogged plumbing. That type of system has a filter basket somewhere to catch large objects before they get to the pump and other equipment. You need to check that and any other baskets such as the skimmers and the basket on the pump itself. If you know for sure the carrot got into the plumbing itself and it doesn't show up in any of the baskets, etc., you may have to fish it out. But, since carrots are organic matter the thing will eventually decompose and make it's way to the filter.

how to use pool chemicals to correct problems?

Q. The pool is green!i put stuff in it and it only killed the frogs!-(my mom)

Answer
Shocking your pool IS putting chlorine in your pool. You need two 2.5 gals of chlorine jugs. Your going to use one today and one tomorrow. FIrst you need (we have"Stop Yellow") a 6 oz. one time treatment bag of sodium bromine (which is basically crushed up bromine tablets). then you need to put the 2.5 gal of chlorine in the pool. then the bag. you need to brush the pool and let it run for 24 hours.---if you have an automatic cleaner, take it out----. TOMORROW you need to clean the filter. After you clean the filter you need to put the SECOND 2.5 gal of chlorine jug in. Then you should see your pool start to clear up within a day or so.

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

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:

What's the best automatic pool cleaner?

ce

Polaris, Aquabot, Dolphin, Orion or some other one?

Answer
I have a Polaris 360. Does a good job for the amount of money. Gets stuck in the corners quite allot. I've had it for 3 years and the only thing I have had to do is change the wheels. They were worn down. I also have changed the bag that collects the debris.

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

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:

What's the best automatic pool cleaner?

ce

Polaris, Aquabot, Dolphin, Orion or some other one?

Answer
I have a Polaris 360. Does a good job for the amount of money. Gets stuck in the corners quite allot. I've had it for 3 years and the only thing I have had to do is change the wheels. They were worn down. I also have changed the bag that collects the debris.

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

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

automatic pool cleaner with bag image

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:

How much chlorine will I use in my pool?

z400wood

We just bought a house in MI with a 16x32 inground pool. I am getting ready to buy chemicals for it. The pool has an automatic chlorinator and I am wondering whether or not to buy 3" or 1" tabs or the sticks or whatever else there is. Also how many pounds of chlorine will I go through in the summer running the pump for 12 hours a day. Any other pool tips or chemical advice would be greatly appreciated.

Answer
You definetly DO have to chlorinate a private residential pool, otherwise you will very quickly have a swamp rather than a swimming pool. Go with the 3" tabs, they dissolve less quickly so you won't have to add tabs but about every one to two weeks ( I have some pools on my route that I only have to add once a month). As far as how much to buy, as with everything, the more you buy the more you save. It does not expire so if you have some left at the end of the season, just store until the next.

As far as other tips, the key to keeping a nice pool if preventative maintenance ( as with any investment).
I recommend taking one day a week (only an hour or so) and perform maintenance:
*clean the water line (with a tile/vinyl cleaner from your local pool store)
*Remove large debris from bottom of pool with a leaf rake (large deep net that attaches to the end of telescopic pole)
*empty skimmer and pump baskets
*vacuum pool
*clean filter according to filter type (backwash sand filter, *clean cartridge elements in cartridge filter, and for DE backwash and recharge with DE)
*Test chemicals -- Test Chlorine and pH weekly, Total Alkalinty biweekly, and Calcium Hardness monthly.

Recommended chemical levels:
Chlorine: 1-5 ppm
pH: 7.2-7.6
Total Alkalinity: 80-120 ppm
Calcium Hardness: 200-300 ppm

In addition to chlorine, you will need to purchase other chemicals for balancing, namely Sodium Bicarbonate (for Total Alkalinity), Soda Ash (for pH), and Calcium Chloride( for calcium). If you would ever need to lower the pH, use Muriatic Acid.

You can buy these chemicals at your local pool store. They will most likely try to sell you BioGuard or some other brand of pool chemicals. The ones that I named are what we call bulk chemicals, they come in 50 lb. bags and are much less expensive. They are the exact same thing, you're just not paying for advertisement. Again they do not go bad, so you can save them for years. Just make sure you store chemicals out of the elements.

I recommend getting yourself a good test kit (the best is made by Taylor). Do not use test strips as they are difficult to read and often wrong.

I see that you are in michigan. If you happen to be near the Saginaw/ Bay City area there is a great company there called Cherokee Pools. They have a retail store and also do service if you would ever need any repair work done.( My husband got his start with them years ago and we now own our own business in Myrtle Beach).

If you have any other questions I would be more than happy to answer them.

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

I have a pool with massive amounts of leaves, twigs, and worms at the bottom. Anyone have any ideas?

automatic pool cleaner with bag image

Vince

I have a sand filter with a waste setting that allows me to pump garbage out of the pool but i have no idea if it can handle all those worms, twigs and leaves.

Answer
Try to physically remove the debris (or as much as you can) from the pool first. Scooping around with a leaf net attached to your telepole is the best way. You can lower the water level a bit to help you see down there, but if it's as bad as you say, it very likely will clog the pump basket, pump impeller, etc. Do not add any chemicals until most of the debris is out. (Chlorine, for example, will take a thousand leaves and break them up into a million little pieces, making an even bigger mess to clean up.... it will work ok on the worms, though.)

There is what's known as a leaf canister that attaches to your vacuum hose that would help if you're looking to vacuum the debris to waste. It will catch the debris in its bag and prevent the pump from clogging up. (It is a special type for use in vacuum hoses - Leslie's should carry it... internet searches turn up the ones for automatic cleaners.) It would just need to be emptied a few times... (or more)... much easier than taking apart the pump.

Pros and cons of getting a backyard pool?

poolgirl22

Inground. I guess I know the pros. Wanting to know if the pros outweigh the cons. I have a 5 & 10 yr old. Is maintaining it overly costly or time consuming. I would be the pool guy.

Answer
Get the pool, but only if you are willing to "feed it" just as you would a pet. DAILY-- even when you can't use it because it's too cold. You must commit to cleaning (made easier by automatic cleaners), checking and adjusting chemicals, emptying bags and baskets, adding water to it. Higher utility bills are a given. Pools don't cost much in repairs UNTIL the warranties expire. Then get ready!
And, most importantly, do NOT buy price! Quality costs money. Remember, this fixture is attached to your property and can add to-- or take away from-- your property value. It will not add as much value as it's cost, however.
Consider a pool as you would a room addition. An outdoor room!

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

I have a pool with massive amounts of leaves, twigs, and worms at the bottom. Anyone have any ideas?

automatic pool cleaner with bag image

Vince

I have a sand filter with a waste setting that allows me to pump garbage out of the pool but i have no idea if it can handle all those worms, twigs and leaves.

Answer
Try to physically remove the debris (or as much as you can) from the pool first. Scooping around with a leaf net attached to your telepole is the best way. You can lower the water level a bit to help you see down there, but if it's as bad as you say, it very likely will clog the pump basket, pump impeller, etc. Do not add any chemicals until most of the debris is out. (Chlorine, for example, will take a thousand leaves and break them up into a million little pieces, making an even bigger mess to clean up.... it will work ok on the worms, though.)

There is what's known as a leaf canister that attaches to your vacuum hose that would help if you're looking to vacuum the debris to waste. It will catch the debris in its bag and prevent the pump from clogging up. (It is a special type for use in vacuum hoses - Leslie's should carry it... internet searches turn up the ones for automatic cleaners.) It would just need to be emptied a few times... (or more)... much easier than taking apart the pump.

Pros and cons of getting a backyard pool?

poolgirl22

Inground. I guess I know the pros. Wanting to know if the pros outweigh the cons. I have a 5 & 10 yr old. Is maintaining it overly costly or time consuming. I would be the pool guy.

Answer
Get the pool, but only if you are willing to "feed it" just as you would a pet. DAILY-- even when you can't use it because it's too cold. You must commit to cleaning (made easier by automatic cleaners), checking and adjusting chemicals, emptying bags and baskets, adding water to it. Higher utility bills are a given. Pools don't cost much in repairs UNTIL the warranties expire. Then get ready!
And, most importantly, do NOT buy price! Quality costs money. Remember, this fixture is attached to your property and can add to-- or take away from-- your property value. It will not add as much value as it's cost, however.
Consider a pool as you would a room addition. An outdoor room!

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

I have a pool with massive amounts of leaves, twigs, and worms at the bottom. Anyone have any ideas?

automatic pool cleaner with bag image

Vince

I have a sand filter with a waste setting that allows me to pump garbage out of the pool but i have no idea if it can handle all those worms, twigs and leaves.

Answer
Try to physically remove the debris (or as much as you can) from the pool first. Scooping around with a leaf net attached to your telepole is the best way. You can lower the water level a bit to help you see down there, but if it's as bad as you say, it very likely will clog the pump basket, pump impeller, etc. Do not add any chemicals until most of the debris is out. (Chlorine, for example, will take a thousand leaves and break them up into a million little pieces, making an even bigger mess to clean up.... it will work ok on the worms, though.)

There is what's known as a leaf canister that attaches to your vacuum hose that would help if you're looking to vacuum the debris to waste. It will catch the debris in its bag and prevent the pump from clogging up. (It is a special type for use in vacuum hoses - Leslie's should carry it... internet searches turn up the ones for automatic cleaners.) It would just need to be emptied a few times... (or more)... much easier than taking apart the pump.

Pros and cons of getting a backyard pool?

poolgirl22

Inground. I guess I know the pros. Wanting to know if the pros outweigh the cons. I have a 5 & 10 yr old. Is maintaining it overly costly or time consuming. I would be the pool guy.

Answer
Get the pool, but only if you are willing to "feed it" just as you would a pet. DAILY-- even when you can't use it because it's too cold. You must commit to cleaning (made easier by automatic cleaners), checking and adjusting chemicals, emptying bags and baskets, adding water to it. Higher utility bills are a given. Pools don't cost much in repairs UNTIL the warranties expire. Then get ready!
And, most importantly, do NOT buy price! Quality costs money. Remember, this fixture is attached to your property and can add to-- or take away from-- your property value. It will not add as much value as it's cost, however.
Consider a pool as you would a room addition. An outdoor room!

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

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

automatic pool cleaner with bag image

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.

how to use pool chemicals to correct problems?

Q. The pool is green!i put stuff in it and it only killed the frogs!-(my mom)

Answer
Shocking your pool IS putting chlorine in your pool. You need two 2.5 gals of chlorine jugs. Your going to use one today and one tomorrow. FIrst you need (we have"Stop Yellow") a 6 oz. one time treatment bag of sodium bromine (which is basically crushed up bromine tablets). then you need to put the 2.5 gal of chlorine in the pool. then the bag. you need to brush the pool and let it run for 24 hours.---if you have an automatic cleaner, take it out----. TOMORROW you need to clean the filter. After you clean the filter you need to put the SECOND 2.5 gal of chlorine jug in. Then you should see your pool start to clear up within a day or so.

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

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

automatic pool cleaner with bag image

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.

how to use pool chemicals to correct problems?

Q. The pool is green!i put stuff in it and it only killed the frogs!-(my mom)

Answer
Shocking your pool IS putting chlorine in your pool. You need two 2.5 gals of chlorine jugs. Your going to use one today and one tomorrow. FIrst you need (we have"Stop Yellow") a 6 oz. one time treatment bag of sodium bromine (which is basically crushed up bromine tablets). then you need to put the 2.5 gal of chlorine in the pool. then the bag. you need to brush the pool and let it run for 24 hours.---if you have an automatic cleaner, take it out----. TOMORROW you need to clean the filter. After you clean the filter you need to put the SECOND 2.5 gal of chlorine jug in. Then you should see your pool start to clear up within a day or so.

Powered by Yahoo! Answers