brand new pool startup--help!! (Phoenix, Taylor: rent, mover, school)

[LBTRS]

Adding chlorine isn't going to hurt anything, not adding any while you wait for the test kit could result in a green pool as the test kit could take a week to get.

Definitely make sure chlorine stays in the pool until you get the test kit as fighting a green pool is the last thing you want to deal with right now.

You could go to home depot, walmart, lowes, etc. and buy a cheap kit that will test the chlorine and ph that you can use until the big kit gets here. You'll use it eventually so it won't be wasted money.

[observer53]

Originally Posted by AZJoeD

Call the guy at Shasta back and make him come back and show you. You just paid $20K+ for a pool and he didn't even help you get it started? I think there is no question you will need to add chemicals, but depending on your equipment and features the amount will be different.

Once you get the hang of it it will be easy, but you need to have somebody get you started.

Agree with this. I'm amazed that the pool builder would offer so little assistance to a first time pool owner.

[LBTRS]

Originally Posted by observer53

Agree with this. I'm amazed that the pool builder would offer so little assistance to a first time pool owner.

The problem is, if it anything like Presidential Pools when they built ours, is that the start-up is done by the construction foreman and he wants to check off your project as being complete and move on to the next. You'll never see this person again once your start-up checklist has been signed by you saying it was completed. When you call back looking for help you now have to deal with the service department and they are not as excited about sending someone out there to pick up the slack of the construction department.

You can definitely get them back out there if you are forceful but it probably isn't going to be a priority for them since the service department doesn't get to charge you a service call fee.

[observer53]

Originally Posted by LBTRS

The problem is, if it anything like Presidential Pools when they built ours, is that the start-up is done by the construction foreman and he wants to check off your project as being complete and move on to the next. You'll never see this person again once your start-up checklist has been signed by you saying it was completed. When you call back looking for help you now have to deal with the service department and they are not as excited about sending someone out there to pick up the slack of the construction department.

You can definitely get them back out there if you are forceful but it probably isn't going to be a priority for them since the service department doesn't get to charge you a service call fee.

All true. It just ought to be part of the package, though, to get help with the startup, under the auspices of one department or the other.

[LBTRS]

Originally Posted by observer53

All true. It just ought to be part of the package, though, to get help with the startup, under the auspices of one department or the other.

Agreed 100%.

One other thing to be aware of is that the pool company will show you the fastest way to do something, not necessarily the proper or best way to take care of your pool. They want to get in and out and are not going to sit there and take their time to let chemicals dissolve in the water, etc. An example, my foreman poured eight bags of salt into my pool and let it sit on the bottom of the pool which can discolor the finish of the pool. That was not the proper way to do it but how I was shown to do it. Had I not done my own research I would have thought that was the best way to do it. He poured all the test chemicals back into the pool when he did his tests instead of pouring them outside the pool or down a drain. I now know I don't want all those chemicals in my pool but that is how I was shown.

It is better to learn the correct way on your own and your pool will be trouble free if you take a few minutes every week to stay on top of it.

[observer53]

Originally Posted by LBTRS

Agreed 100%.

One other thing to be aware of is that the pool company will show you the fastest way to do something, not necessarily the proper or best way to take care of your pool. They want to get in and out and are not going to sit there and take their time to let chemicals dissolve in the water, etc. An example, my foreman poured eight bags of salt into my pool and let it sit on the bottom of the pool which can discolor the finish of the pool. That was not the proper way to do it but how I was shown to do it. Had I not done my own research I would have thought that was the best way to do it. He poured all the test chemicals back into the pool when he did his tests instead of pouring them outside the pool or down a drain. I now know I don't want all those chemicals in my pool but that is how I was shown.

It is better to learn the correct way on your own and your pool will be trouble free if you take a few minutes every week to stay on top of it.

True again. Words to the wise first time pool owner, to do some studying on your own and be ready when the water goes in to be sure everything is done right.

[lissylou]

Thank you SO much! There is still chlorine in their, the puck has not dissolved all the way from a few days ago. Patiently waiting for my test kit to get here. I want to do my own test, and then go back to Leslies and see how they compare. Will be going and getting some liquid bleach before the week is out. OH!! And I plan to take the $100 phos-free junk back to Leslies for a refund too.

Lissy

[Burning Madolf]

Originally Posted by observer53

Agree with this. I'm amazed that the pool builder would offer so little assistance to a first time pool owner.

I had one done a couple of years ago and the construction super forewarned me that the start up guy was a "fast talker" and that I should do whatever I could to force him to explain every detail.

I forced the guy to repeat himself over and over. It took him at least 2 hours and I think I gave him the impression that I was either deaf or had a serious learning disability.

The guy was a builder's sub and knew what he was doing so I think for him the real money is in repairs for the builder or getting service contracts. The builder just needed someone who could get the pool up to speed.

There definitely should be more hand holding but thank God for TFP!

[Burning Madolf]

Originally Posted by lissylou

Thank you SO much! There is still chlorine in their, the puck has not dissolved all the way from a few days ago. Patiently waiting for my test kit to get here. I want to do my own test, and then go back to Leslies and see how they compare. Will be going and getting some liquid bleach before the week is out. OH!! And I plan to take the $100 phos-free junk back to Leslies for a refund too.

Lissy

Good luck. I hope you get your money back.

I only use Leslie's for acid because it's more concentrated than other stores. But it is fun to see if their water tests and what they are pushing coincide.

[lewdog_5]

Is there an official pool questions thread on here? I have some questions about phosphate levels as well and am a new pool owner too. I don't want to start a new thread and also don't want to change the OPs thread here.