1 Week to get Pool Ready for Labor Day Party. Can I do it?

Question

We just bought a house with a pool. The people that were living there took good care of it but they are moving out this weekend by August 3rd. We close on August 20th. We have it planned that we want to be moved in by the end of August but will be able to get to the pool on the 20th. We would like to do some entertaining at our new house on Labor day which is September 1st.

The pool will Not be maintained for at least 20 days when I move in. I will have 12 days to get it ready for the 1st. Is this a practical amount of time to fix it chemically so we can swim in it on the 1st? How should I start? I've never taken care of a pool before but I would like to learn and do this myself. A friend of mine told me I need to Shock the pool with Chlorine but I don't really know what that means except I know you dump Chlorine into the pool. What else do I put in there?

I'm going to go to a pool store and get some answers but I thought I would start here to learn the jargon and basics of pool maintenance before I show up there.

Thanks for any help!!

Answer 1

When you talk to the pool people, they will ask what kind of pump and filter you have, so look for manufactur, numbers, take a pic of it that will help.  They will ask how many gallons the pool is, just measure length and width, write down how deep and shallow (this will be an estimate on your part, but they will get an idea) take them a pic of the pool too.  They will probably sell you a pool water-testing kit and go from there.  20 days is a long time to go with no chemicals, but it can be caught up in 12 days no problem!  Ours can look like a pond one day and with treatment, will look sparkeling blue and ready to use the very next day.  Or, hire a service to take care of it each week, often times it costs less to use a service than to buy the chemicals yourself.  But yes, it can be done.  HAVE FUN!!

Answer 2

i would have a guy come in for the first cleaning/ chemical adding  and its pretty easy but just watch what the guy does and if you ask him a question he will tell you how to set everything up for the cleaning and how to test the water so you know what to add to the pool. once you do it a couple of times it gets easy    Good Luck

Answer 3

You dont just dump chlorine in the pool. You need to check the chlorine and Ph of the water and adjust the levels using exact amounts of chlorine and soda ash. Have a pool service come in and do the initial set up and explain to you how to maintain the correct levels. If you dont know what you're doing you will spend a lot of money with poor results (Too much chlorine will burn your eyes and fade swimwear wrong Ph will turn your pool green.)

Answer 4

Any pre-purchase inspection of the home should include an inspection of the pool and equipment, even at extra cost.  Be sure the seller leaves you all the manuals and literature.  You're on the right track.  When you get access to the pool take a water sample (small bottle or jar) and have the pool supply store analyze it.  They will tell you what you should (or should not) add to the water.  When you go, you need to know the manufacturer of the equipment, model numbers, etc., and the type of filter (sand, DE, cartridge).  They can tell you how to either clean the filters or backwash, etc.  Many pool builders and pool supply companies have "pool schools" that are free or at nominal cost.  You should be able to get your "cement pond" up and sparkling by Labor Day.  

Answer 5

i own a pool company in texas .and agree with the answers here to find apporx gallonage of pool measure length x dept at deep end   then length  x dept at shollow end then add these two together then that total of those two numbers   x 7.8 this will give you approx number of gallons in pool

Answer 6

Best to let the pool guys do it for you ( yeah I know it`s gonna cost) Untill you learn how to do it properly , the last thing you need is to have people get sick from someone over chlorinating the pool . Most times people overdo what needs to be done. Ask at the pool shop what you need to do and enjoy your new pool without any complications. Have a great weekend and welcome to the chores involved with pool ownership.  

Answer 7

I bought my place last year and hired a pool service for the first season so that they could educate at me at each turn.  Your best bet is to have the pool service coming in between those days that no one is taking care of the pool.  If you cannot you can shock and clean the pool in less then 2 days, so no worries

Answer 8

yeah! hire a pool guy to maintain it till you move in.