INGROUND POOL, we bought a home and does anyone know?
Question:how to go about starting it up...its i believe a 14x16 pool underground and the bottom of the pool (on the shallow end )looks clean from us sweaping it.. put is it easy to start it don't want to damage the filter i guess it had a special earth in a form of honeycombs(?)
thankyou! any help would be greately appreciated
Answers:
Your pool has a diatomaceous earth filter. This is nothing more than skeletal remains of photo/phyto plankton. It is very efficient in that the gaps it leaves are only microns in size so it can filter out just about anything in the pool (pollen, some bacteria, etc). The only problem with a DE (as they are called) filter is that you need to replace the medium each time you backwash the filter or fill it up as it gets washed away each time you do this.
To start up the DE filter go ahead and start your pump to get water circulating through the filter. Bleed off any air that is trapped inside. Pour the DE powder in through the skimmer and it will settle itself against the filter grid.
As for chemicals you are going to need to get a quality test kit for your pool. I highly suggest the Taylor K-2005 or K-2006 kit as it will give you all the readings you will need for your pool.
You are going to have to maintain levels of alkalinity, pH, calcium hardness, and chlorine for your pool.
Alkalinity can be maintained and increased by adding baking soda. pH can be raised and buffered by adding borax. Calcium hardness can be raised and maintained by adding calcium chloride or calcium hypochlorite (many commercial shock products are this). Chlorine can be maintained by utilizing a chlorine feeder and 3" stabilized pucks/tablets to maintain the levels and household liquid bleach to shock the pool.
Taking care of a pool is actually quite easy if you start it right and maintain it properly. Feel free to contact me at robandliz1992@yahoo.com for more information. If you get the current water chemistry readings, the gallon size of the pool and capacity size of the DE filter I can put together a personalized maintenance schedule for you.
You have to be very careful with pools as far as the filters and having the right amount of chemicals in there so you don't become ill.
I wouldn't take advice from here (maybe just others opinion's) I would call your nearest pool store and speak to an experienced person. They can tell you everything you need to know to get it running.
I also have an above ground pool and it always turned green or cloudy when I didn't ask for help... Good luck!
Pool filters, heaters and the associated plumbing vary greatly. Unless you know what you are doing, I wouldn't attempt to start up the pool without professional help.
I have lived in homes for the last 25 years with pools, and I know that you very well could damage your equipment. You could burn up the motor on either the filter or the heater if not properly primed... etc. You will also need to know how to chemically balance your pool.
If you hire a professional, have him explain, step by step, what he is doing. Explain your ignorance, and desire to learn.
Do not, however, tell him that you want to learn this so you can do it yourself next year. He won't be so motivated to help if he thinks you might not call him next year.
Equally important is closing the pool properly for the winter. (You don't want frozen/broken lines.) Hire a professional the 1st time for this as well.
Another good reason for hiring a professional to open the pool is to get a good inspection on the condition of the equipment. It sounds to me like you purchased the house when the pool was not running. I would determine now whether anything is malfunctioning.
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