Pool maintenance in winter

[TedLasso]

Yup (super lucky) and that was my feeling exactly after I realised the pool was blue and clear with just chlorine in my first months of managing pools. I had thought I needed to do the other stuff but since I love experimenting - thought I would just learn and see hence me also playing with pump run routines to see what happens and why I now have the schedule I have.

TBH, when I put the chlorine testing strip in, some of the other values are not in their optimum range (just off it sometimes) and having read of the horror stories here with people putting all manners of stuff in, I just thought don't do it unless it's absolutely necessary. And there has never been a reason so far.

With our renovations around the pool area water now flows into the pool hence it's overflows quite often after heavy rains. That's when backwash takes place for sometimes 25 minutes!

My wife asked this morning if our new garden maintenance company will start handling the pool too and I said for what??. I have done a pretty great job in the last 4 years, why would I want someone to mess it up ?

What I am definitely looking forward to this year is the new leaf cover net which I installed to replace the solid PVC cover that was too heavy and unsuitable for my large pool ( it used to sink into the pool)

The wild oak tree above pool which dumped all leaves into pool in autumn winter which was a pain to clean and they would also get under the cover .

Already now, then leaves don't go anywhere near the water which means even less maintenance for me I think this year. Well I hope so!

 

[Geoff.D]

Rainwater has quite a high acid content these days, so that helps maintain the PH values in GP. Not sure what the situation is everywhere.

The tendency is also to try and correct a problem too quickly. Small quantities is better and then maintain.
And then don't be paranoid about the readings!
Next thing is keep foreign matter out of the pool - no foreign matter = less chance of algae developing.
Low usage of the pool equals less chlorine required.
Pretty sure that temperature stability also plays a role in Summer. How tight is the temp control on the solar heating?

Interesting about running the pool in the daytime, That is an aspect that has been debated for years.

 

[TedLasso]

I considered taking the trees out but they virtually block all the wind so they staying put. They can get an instant online quote from the Power Plastics website. They have those ratchet type covers which you can walk over.

If your pool is over 4m wide and odd shaped, seriously reconsider this decision on the solid PVC cover. As mentioned in this thread, I replaced mines (throwing 16k down the drain) because my pool shape is rregular and the pool massive. It was a nightmare to take off (3x people min needed) and for two years I actively avoided trying to use the pool.

An incident taking it off last year was the final straw and that was it. It never went back on. When I was looking for quotes on the leaf net catcher, the one guy looked at my pool cover (from pics I sent him) and told me DPS plastics installed it. I asked how he knew that - he said they the only company that installs them on such large pools - when they should not and he told me to tell them three years later to sort it out - I decided not to waste my time with DPS. So please do take my real world advice.

In any case, the leaf catcher net installed, and everything looks so much cleaner and I can now also put the entire net on and off by myself . Water loss is not as bad I as thought it would be.

 

[TedLasso]

Pretty sure that temperature stability also plays a role in Summer. How tight is the temp control on the solar heating?

Interesting about running the pool in the daytime, That is an aspect that has been debated for years.

Like the debate on whether geysers staying on permanently use less electricity than one turned on for a few hours a day .. I guess the pool pump during day/night will continue

For me, I have proof geysers turned on for short periods of time use less electricity in our households use case - Haha

For pool, the pump sends the water to 9 panels on the roof. During spring/summer the water goes to about 29-31 degrees. As it's also summer, chlorine does get used more faster so then it's weekly. Hence I run it during day to heat the water. Right now , pool temp is around 19 Deg.

I know when a sparkle it cube is thrown into weir basket, they say you need to run overnight. I am too cheap and I only run the pump on its schedule but I have the same glorious effect and then maybe a backwash on weekend. Last time I put a sparkle it cube was probably Oct 20 and the water is still crystal clear as i can see through the net . #Happy Days


I should start a channel. #TheTightHomeowner

 

[richjdavies]

What size pump?

Think its 1kw.... When I looked around this made sense as that would be a complete 'water change' in 10-12 hours??? Might be remembering wrong.

I guess the pool pump during day/night will continue

Didnt realise there was a debate...

Pluses? Minuses?

For us daytime is helpful in summer else top part gets very warm and bottom stays very cold! Which makes swimming feel very strange!

Otherwise surely only noise for.neighbours

For me, I have proof geysers turned on for short periods of time use less electricity in our households use case

Well, you used cooler water then. No debates from anyone sensible there

 

[Tinuva]

I also found adding additives just complicates things.

If your pool is not grass green, chlorine is pretty much all you need.
In fact, nowadays, I just leave the solid cover on, add a floater when needed. In summer, I take the cover off, the floater gets replaced more often. Once a month maybe in summer. Winter it lasts 2-3 months.

 

[krycor]

I’m glad I don’t have a pool.. had this last year. Pain in the behind.

 

[Speedster]

If your pool is over 4m wide and odd shaped, seriously reconsider this decision on the solid PVC cover. As mentioned in this thread, I replaced mines (throwing 16k down the drain) because my pool shape is rregular and the pool massive. It was a nightmare to take off (3x people min needed) and for two years I actively avoided trying to use the pool.

An incident taking it off last year was the final straw and that was it. It never went back on. When I was looking for quotes on the leaf net catcher, the one guy looked at my pool cover (from pics I sent him) and told me DPS plastics installed it. I asked how he knew that - he said they the only company that installs them on such large pools - when they should not and he told me to tell them three years later to sort it out - I decided not to waste my time with DPS. So please do take my real world advice.

In any case, the leaf catcher net installed, and everything looks so much cleaner and I can now also put the entire net on and off by myself . Water loss is not as bad I as thought it would be.

Link to this leaf catcher net?

 

[Snyper564]

I’m glad I don’t have a pool.. had this last year. Pain in the behind.

Likewise, so glad its filled in been maintenance free for almost 2 years now

 

[blowdart18]

Link to this leaf catcher net?

Also came here for links to leaf catchers

 

[qscwbt]

I use a solid safety cover. A floater would last 3 months. Other than that I add no chemicals.
Advantages with a solid cover.
No water loss. I maybe top up once a year. Rain water keeps it full.
Less back wash
Less running the pump
Less chemicals

 

[D4N_CPT]

Off-topic: Geyser Timer saves money, especially in winter, if you turn off the geyser before you actually use the water. Thus not heating the water, just to let it cool down until the next day.

On-Topic: My pool is 8x4 and I clearly missed the whole "avoid the evil Blu52" saga. I stretch my Blue52 from weekly to about tri-weekly, since the pool is not in use. A little longer if still blue, a little less if pool goes green earlier because of weather. In winter I run the pump about once a week, and for two days after adding Blu52, I run the pool daily. I also buy the 4-packs with Diamond Sparkle Cube for R399 on special.

If the pool is in heavy use, I supplement the weekly Blu52 with a quarter cup chlorine, not the HTH Brand.

My last tree times:
23Feb+Clorine+Diamond Sparkle Cube(last heavy use before winter season was 27th of Feb)
21Mar(Yes, I left it too long)
05Apr

Pics from 21 Mar:
I did not notice that the Kreepy got stuck, and did not run since the first week of Feb (if I recalled correctly) also weather was less than ideal and myself more lazy than what I should have been.

Pool camera and lighting not ideal, so a pre-Blu52 picture in daylight


Pre-Backwash and filter clean


1min after Blu52


5mins later, after brushing the sides


Pump off for the evening (2.5hrs run time)


Next Morning (Pre-Pump start-up)


Lastly, A Pic from today 12th of April, last Blu52 was 5th of April, sides obviously needs cleaning.

 

[TedLasso]

Link to this leaf catcher net?

Protect Your Pool From Debris Now! Aqua-Net Leaf Catcha!

Custom made pourous leaf cover for your pool. Keep your pool debris and leaf free. Secures your pool for toddlers too. Reduce pool maintenance.

aquanet.co.za

They installed it for me. Amazing Service. Recommend them.

Edit: PS. They used the 80% density on my pool (10.5x6m) and mines does sink a little at the widest bit but they recommend that you put like a pilates ball in the pool to keep the net away from the water. I am using 4xPool noodles tied together to the do the same

Edit 2: That storage roller is cool but doesn't work for odd shaped like pools (or maybe large pools). So I am not using mines when I take it off. In retrospect, was R550 down the drain.

 

[maumau]

Off-topic: Geyser Timer saves money, especially in winter, if you turn off the geyser before you actually use the water. Thus not heating the water, just to let it cool down until the next day.

On-Topic: My pool is 8x4 and I clearly missed the whole "avoid the evil Blu52" saga. I stretch my Blue52 from weekly to about tri-weekly, since the pool is not in use. A little longer if still blue, a little less if pool goes green earlier because of weather. In winter I run the pump about once a week, and for two days after adding Blu52, I run the pool daily. I also buy the 4-packs with Diamond Sparkle Cube for R399 on special.

If the pool is in heavy use, I supplement the weekly Blu52 with a quarter cup chlorine, not the HTH Brand.

My last tree times:
23Feb+Clorine+Diamond Sparkle Cube(last heavy use before winter season was 27th of Feb)
21Mar(Yes, I left it too long)
05Apr

Pics from 21 Mar:
I did not notice that the Kreepy got stuck, and did not run since the first week of Feb (if I recalled correctly) also weather was less than ideal and myself more lazy than what I should have been.

Pool camera and lighting not ideal, so a pre-Blu52 picture in daylight
View attachment 1050523

Pre-Backwash and filter clean
View attachment 1050501

1min after Blu52
View attachment 1050503

5mins later, after brushing the sides
View attachment 1050505

Pump off for the evening (2.5hrs run time)
View attachment 1050513

Next Morning (Pre-Pump start-up)
View attachment 1050521

Lastly, A Pic from today 12th of April, last Blu52 was 5th of April, sides obviously needs cleaning.
View attachment 1050507

Looks good, the problem with Blu52 seems to occur with marbelite pools.

 

[Geoff.D]

Looks good, the problem with Blu52 seems to occur with marbelite pools.

Yes. Trying to find out what is in pool chemicals theses days is a mission, but Blue 52 got the bad label because of the copper and other metal "salts" it contained.
But there is another issue with marbelite these days.
Marbelite is supposed to be rubbed down with pumice stone after it is dried to expose the marble and to Polish the surface smooth BEFORE it is filled. Tell me when last you have seen a pool constructed that way if ever?

 

[The Voice]

Shame man, just leave the poor frogs alone.