Yes: Pools are worth it....

[Herbie Hancock 7,343]

2 hours ago, Poolflood said:

Regulators (at least NG regulators) are very easy to adjust.  The warranty station prob knows how but outside of what he's allowed to do.

so I’m home now and decided to check it all out myself before plumber gets here. Regulator is open as wide as it will go. Closed it all the way and then opened it halfway and then a little more and still no dice; ERR IGN code again.

[Herbie Hancock 7,343]

Aaaaaaaand it flashed ERR AFS when I started it up just now

[Poolflood 845]

Fingers crossed for ya.

[Herbie Hancock 7,343]

Took the heater covers off. Plumber shows up, takes a look at it and goes “well shit there’s the problem, it’s already got a regulator.” So he pulled the step down regulator off and plumbed the line straight into the orifice. BOOM! We’re cooking with gas. Now I’m at work for two days, so no leg in the hot tub until Thursday.

[TexasEd 8,066]

On 11/8/2022 at 12:37 PM, Herbie Hancock said:

Took the heater covers off. Plumber shows up, takes a look at it and goes “well shit there’s the problem, it’s already got a regulator.” So he pulled the step down regulator off and plumbed the line straight into the orifice. BOOM! We’re cooking with gas. Now I’m at work for two days, so no leg in the hot tub until Thursday.

When do you get the refund?  I was going to guess regulator but was going in a different direction like there was a NG regulator on it instead of propane.

[JSB 677]

Man my project has been FOREVER slow. Getting close to done though. Putting green just went in, structure done, appliances in, now we wait on low voltage lighting, AV equipment install, stone work touch up, landscaping and grading the yard, gutters and fixing a leak in the skimmer basket throats. Signed the contract a year ago, broke ground 7 months ago. So fucking slow.

[Revolution512 1,487]

Any recommendations for pool builders in Georgetown, TX?

[TexasEd 8,066]

45 minutes ago, Revolution512 said:

Any recommendations for pool builders in Georgetown, TX?

We used Premier Pool and Spas. 
they were slow but we did it at the height of the backlog. 
just ask a lot of questions. 

[conVINCEd 21,469]

No sand traps.  WNB.

[Mother mopar 3,318]

Had to change my Jandy salt cell today as it has been giving me codes (120 & 121) for a while. Tried cleaning it in hopes to make it last but the codes came back within a couple of days.

Damn things are not cheap but it's lived a good life for 5+ years.

[Hefeweizen 5,308]

I miss having a pool.  Probably will never own one again.  Really enjoyed geeking out with chemicals and trying combinations, including borax and other chemicals to improve the feel of the pool.  Had both chlorine and salt pools.  
 

The guy who bought my house immediately hired a pool service.  Some people don’t like maintaining pools but it was pretty zen like for  me, except when that yellow Austin pollen was falling in the pool.

[PantsTent 2,002]

I miss having a pool.  Probably will never own one again.  Really enjoyed geeking out with chemicals and trying combinations, including borax and other chemicals to improve the feel of the pool.  Had both chlorine and salt pools.  
 
The guy who bought my house immediately hired a pool service.  Some people don’t like maintaining pools but it was pretty zen like for  me, except when that yellow Austin pollen was falling in the pool.

Agree. It’s like admiring your lawn…love just looking at a crystal clear pool and knowing you keep it that way.

[UTPhil2006 3,801]

On 11/23/2022 at 1:07 PM, Revolution512 said:

Any recommendations for pool builders in Georgetown, TX?

PM sent 

[Not that Bob 735]

SIAP, anyone recommend pool repair person in Austin?

[DalTxHornFan 3,097]

5 minutes ago, Not that Bob said:

SIAP, anyone recommend pool repair person in Austin?

What kind of work are you talking about?

[Not that Bob 735]

Plumbing a few pipes and programming the controller and making the controller Wi-Fi work. 

[DalTxHornFan 3,097]

14 minutes ago, Not that Bob said:

Plumbing a few pipes and programming the controller and making the controller Wi-Fi work. 

We always used Hines for our pools with decent results, but I've (happily) been out of the pool game for almost 10 years and have no clue about controllers and wi-fi stuff.  Mechanical timer boxes were more my speed! Good luck.

[Amos Moses 795]

I’m still a pool noob and thinking ahead to this cold weather incoming … anyone thinking of preemptively draining equipment (pump, filter, heater) in case of wide spread and long lasting power outages? If the juice stays on I’m not worried not matter how cold it gets. But, I’m still a little skeptical our fearless state leaders have done enough to ensure the grid holds up. Interested to hear what others are thinking.

[kmac30 416]

Glad you brought this up. This is my first winter with a pool. I’m assuming my generator will take care of everything if power goes out.

Guess the pumps need to run constantly?

[Quagmire 2,147]

I’m still a pool noob and thinking ahead to this cold weather incoming … anyone thinking of preemptively draining equipment (pump, filter, heater) in case of wide spread and long lasting power outages? If the juice stays on I’m not worried not matter how cold it gets. But, I’m still a little skeptical our fearless state leaders have done enough to ensure the grid holds up. Interested to hear what others are thinking.

If your gonna be outta town sure , if not why not wait doesn’t take long to drain

[PantsTent 2,002]

Yep, just run your pump but know how to drain your equipment just in case. You’ll have several hours before anything hard freezes.

[Your Mom 4,805]

I run my pump at 1200 rpm 24/7, except when it cranks up higher for the cleaner.  Will that be enough in a hard freeze or should I ramp it up to something higher. 

[Poolflood 845]

56 minutes ago, Your Mom said:

I run my pump at 1200 rpm 24/7, except when it cranks up higher for the cleaner.  Will that be enough in a hard freeze or should I ramp it up to something higher. 

1700 or so is half speed.  Should go to at least that.  But the freeze protect should take to that anyway.

[Dutchrudder 11,133]

I'm in north Houston and we will have freezing temperatures from Thursday evening until about Saturday at noon. Then it will dip again to below freezing each night. Local pool guy recommended draining the pumps, filter, heater and check valves to save on energy, and avoid doing it in the middle of the night if the grid does falter.  I do have a backup generator and whole house feed for it, so it can power everything and takes about 10 minutes to get running, so I'm not too worried about running the pumps for a couple days straight. 

I'm more worried about the sprinklers and water lines than the pool stuff. 

[BillyBadAss 189]

PSA for those of you who use bleach for sanitization.

I recently discovered that there are pool supply outfits that sell liquid chlorine (and acid) in returnable bottles they refill. 

I've been using Texas Pool Supply (recently moved from S First/71 to near 35/71) in S Austin.. It's not a retail place and I had to open a commercial account, but they haven't given me any trouble about it so far.  It's just under $5 a gallon for 12% bleach. So far I've gone through about 24 gallons and it all was pretty fresh. 4 1-gallon bottles come in a plastic crate so they're easier to transport than individual bottles as well. 

You can find other potential dealers here: https://hasapool.com/dealer-locator/

[mchookem 16,319]

On 12/17/2022 at 6:10 PM, Not that Bob said:

SIAP, anyone recommend pool repair person in Austin?

don't know if you still need a rec...but we used Reliable Pools off Far West for over a decade, including fixing everything from the 2021 freeze. very responsive and their techs were always really knowledgeable and helpful, never tried to upsell anything. def recommend!

https://www.reliablepoolcareaustin.com/

[fluff 87]

On 12/30/2022 at 1:43 PM, BillyBadAss said:

PSA for those of you who use bleach for sanitization.

I recently discovered that there are pool supply outfits that sell liquid chlorine (and acid) in returnable bottles they refill. 

I've been using Texas Pool Supply (recently moved from S First/71 to near 35/71) in S Austin.. It's not a retail place and I had to open a commercial account, but they haven't given me any trouble about it so far.  It's just under $5 a gallon for 12% bleach. So far I've gone through about 24 gallons and it all was pretty fresh. 4 1-gallon bottles come in a plastic crate so they're easier to transport than individual bottles as well. 

You can find other potential dealers here: https://hasapool.com/dealer-locator/

I found them a few months ago and actually opened an account. I didn't know they moved!  They originally sold me just regular bottles of chlorine, but I guess I need to ask for the returnable ones?

[BillyBadAss 189]

42 minutes ago, fluff said:

I found them a few months ago and actually opened an account. I didn't know they moved!  They originally sold me just regular bottles of chlorine, but I guess I need to ask for the returnable ones?

Yeah, they just moved a few weeks back or so. And yes, ask for the returnable ones - you pay like a dollar or two deposit the first time on the bottles. They don't always have them, so might be worth calling ahead - I've only been using them a couple of months and a couple of times they've been out.. Hopefully they are more reliable in the warmer months.  But so far it beats driving to different Walmarts and hoping they are in stock, and then filling up the recycle bin with tons of plastic. 

[Poolflood 845]

They are not supposed to sell to you unless you're "in the business "  dont be surprised is you get shut down at some point.  Get in/get out and act like a service guy.

[troph 24,781]

Not sure if pools are worth it, don’t hire and don’t let people you care about hire da Vinci that’s all I’ll say publicly. Such a god damned headache. 

[Poolflood 845]

6 minutes ago, troph said:

Not sure if pools are worth it, don’t hire and don’t let people you care about hire da Vinci that’s all I’ll say publicly. Such a god damned headache. 

Sorry you had bad experience.   Pools are worth it.  Dm me if you need assistance.   May be able to help.  

[troph 24,781]

They are worth it, agreed. Nothing needed now but don’t hire them though.  Not just a “bad experience” so seriously, you’ve all been warned. 

Edited January 5, 2023 by troph

[fattyflattie 4,639]

Just thought I’d throw this out there, since it’s buried deep in the pages. @Poolflood is the man on this stuff.  Helped me in a few ways when we were getting started, and gave me a lot of trust in our contractor.  Would definitely buy him a beer or two for the help, and it was appreciated.  

[Poolflood 845]

Appreciate that

[troph 24,781]

I would reach out but we are basically done. Our contractors were there with Craig James when CJK5H. That’s all I’m saying. 

[fattyflattie 4,639]

15 minutes ago, troph said:

I would reach out but we are basically done. Our contractors were there with Craig James when CJK5H. That’s all I’m saying. 

Contractors burying dead hookers under your pool can’t be good voodoo. 

[troph 24,781]

11 minutes ago, fattyflattie said:

Contractors burying dead hookers under your pool can’t be good voodoo. 

Would have been an easier problem to solve. 

[Poolflood 845]

3 hours ago, troph said:

Would have been an easier problem to solve. 

Sorry had bad experience.   Unfortunately it happens.  Enjoy the pool.   I still have some contacts up there but it's been multiple years.

[Delta Charlie 150]

I had a bad algae situation hit me when our pump stopped due to breaker issue. I ended up nearly draining the pool using a sump pump to get the green/black water all out.  There are small patches of algae still on the walls that will probably come out with brushing.  I'm contemplating using my pressure washer to clean the surface, but wanted to see what other surly pool owners do. I've got a medium duty washer that seems perfect for this job.  If you guys do use a pressure washer, do you use any cleaning solutions or just straight water?  Your experience is appreciated! 

[freyguy 4,260]

Power washer.

 

And I got bad news for you, once u get that algae, you will always be battling it.

 

 

[Poolflood 845]

10 hours ago, Delta Charlie said:

I had a bad algae situation hit me when our pump stopped due to breaker issue. I ended up nearly draining the pool using a sump pump to get the green/black water all out.  There are small patches of algae still on the walls that will probably come out with brushing.  I'm contemplating using my pressure washer to clean the surface, but wanted to see what other surly pool owners do. I've got a medium duty washer that seems perfect for this job.  If you guys do use a pressure washer, do you use any cleaning solutions or just straight water?  Your experience is appreciated! 

 

1 hour ago, freyguy said:

Power washer.

 

And I got bad news for you, once u get that algae, you will always be battling it.

 

 

Do this quickly - you don't want your pool sitting without water for long.  The shell can float.  It's rare but devastating.

[Delta Charlie 150]

17 minutes ago, Poolflood said:

Do this quickly - you don't want your pool sitting without water for long.  The shell can float.  It's rare but devastating.

How long are we talking? I was hoping to get it washed this weekend and refilled by Monday.  I still have about a foot of water in there now.

[freyguy 4,260]

Start the refill as soon as you're done.

There is risk if you let the liner sit dry for too long, it can start to delaminate and crack.  Bottom line, you want to keep your pool wet "all the time".  

 

[williemackgarza 1,826]

Start the refill as soon as you're done.
There is risk if you let the liner sit dry for too long, it can start to delaminate and crack.  Bottom line, you want to keep your pool wet "all the time".  
 

WAP?

[Your Mom 4,805]

On 1/5/2023 at 8:15 AM, troph said:

I would reach out but we are basically done. Our contractors were there with Craig James when CJK5H. That’s all I’m saying. 

You got a shed to lock them in? 

[williemackgarza 1,826]

Anyone got an electician rec?
My pool electrician pretty much retired.
I need a couple light troubleshot/replaced and maybe checkout my Pentair intellitouch system.
Im in round rock

[Poolflood 845]

45 minutes ago, williemackgarza said:

Anyone got an electician rec?
My pool electrician pretty much retired.
I need a couple light troubleshot/replaced and maybe checkout my Pentair intellitouch system.
Im in round rock

Where are you?

[Poolflood 845]

46 minutes ago, williemackgarza said:

Anyone got an electician rec?
My pool electrician pretty much retired.
I need a couple light troubleshot/replaced and maybe checkout my Pentair intellitouch system.
Im in round rock

 

Just now, Poolflood said:

Where are you?

So i dont read good... I'll reach out tomorrow for round rock.  

[williemackgarza 1,826]

So i dont read good... I'll reach out tomorrow for round rock.  

Ty!

[Poolflood 845]

51 minutes ago, williemackgarza said:

Ty!

Replied pm