Swimming Pool Evaporation Question (Phoenix, Surprise: house, maintenance, to move)

[JRLudi]

I've got a question about my swimming pool. We bought this house (in Phoenix) back in March of this year but we weren't able to move out here until the end of August. During that time the swimming pool was left unattended. My question is, would you expect that all the water in the pool would evaporate during that time or do I have a leak somewhere?

It's pretty much standard size for a backyard pool and fairly deep (diving). It's got maybe 10" of green water left at the very bottom around the drain. I would drain that out but somebody stole all the pool equipment while the house was vacant.

[Ponderosa]

Mean annual evaporation rate in Phoenix is around 72 inches (6 feet) so that is entirely possible/likely.

[kdog]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

Mean annual evaporation rate in Phoenix is around 72 inches (6 feet) so that is entirely possible/likely.

Now there's an interesting data point!

If it's a plaster pool, I would expect the plaster to have been destroyed by baking out in the hot sun. If it's cracked, it's toast and will need to be redone.

[cragel]

Both valid points, and alas, a leak may still be lurking beneath the surface. There's two kinds - the most popular is the cracked pipe - loose fitting - root damage variety. Those can be ferreted out by the classic bucket test or more elaborate equipment if necessary. There's companies that specialize in this.

The other type is shell penetrations - every pipe, skimmer, whatever, can leak around its perimeter and with skimmers, they attract roots faster than pipe, I've seen them caved in with roots wafting in the pool water.

On a project like this, that probably does have baked plaster, the replaster program ought to include a leak test by a competentet provider as well as flexible sealant around every shell penetration. There's remediation programs I have for the roots, but that's a whole 'nother story. And a lot longer than this one. And that's why I not only design/build & renovate, but consult as well.

[jdahunt]

We bought before we were able to get out to the Phoenix area as well.....we signed up with Paddock pools to take care of the pool. Its only $100 a month and they sent someone out every week....once we arrived for the first time the pool looked fantastic.

We liked the idea of not having to mess with the pool so we are going to keep using them.

[Seaflip]

We bought a house in Surprise, AZ last May but never occupied it until July. Being a newbee with pools we left it unattended thinking two months wouldnt make a difference. We came back with the pool exhibiting neglect (of course, hello!):clogged filter, algae filled water, debris and leaves all over, and pump out of commission. It took a $700 contract from a pool company until everything was put back into its pristine condition, but TG they didnt have to drain the water or it would have been more moolah. Absentee owners being so common in AZ, there are indeed service companies including pool maintenance, that are able to take care of things while you're away. For now, we have continued the same service for $100 a month until we're able to learn the nitty gritty of how to maintain the pool ourselves.

[Seaflip]

Ooops this thread is soooooo old, LOL.