What to do with swimming pool that has been ignored?

Question

We may be moving into a house that has a swimming pool that has been ignored for a while. The water is green and it looks like thousands of tadpoles now live in the water. First do I just drain the pool and start over, or is there any treatment to put in that may clean the water. Also how can I check the pump and all of things that go along with the maintinence of the pool. Thanks again for the help.

Answer 1

I think you should use it as a pond, allow lots of water life to proliferate, depending on the shape an suitability for this of course.

Small poos arew not that good fro actually swimin gin because you can't reamy get going. Better to go to a good local pool if there is one.

Answer 2

You will definetly need to completely drain and probably get new filters. About all I can do is agree with the answerer above me. If your a newbie to this kinda stuff its just best to have a professional take care of it.

If at all possible, have some sort of a deal about the upkeep of the pool and buying the house. See if the owners will take off a few hundred dollars off the house to off-set the cost of fixing the pool. It's worth a shot.

While the professionals are there, ask them any and all questions you have about upkeep, chemicals, filters, etc.

Answer 3

If you are asking this here, you need a pool service.  Let them put it in shape for you.

Chemicals are not cheap and the service fees will be well worth it.  The filter system probably needs cleaned, possibly sand replaced as well.  Backwashing, refill, several times.

Could be alge and/or black spot.  Crappy and expensive  to get rid of.

They also can check for any leaks.

My best advice.  

You can learn from them how to maintain it.

Worth the education.

Answer 4

You will probably need someone.  Draining the pool will definitely be desired, better all the way--but if you are worried of the pool's ability to withstand the loss of all water (structurely, if the pool might be at risk of "floating up" with no water, particularly if a high water table)--then at least drain 1/2 - 3/4 of the way.  You will probably want to scrub the sides and bottom really well, and try to drain as much of that c**p with the water.

You will need to clean the filter and get it back into the shape.  Any water left over you will want to shock with heavy chlorine.

In the end--hire someone.  Alternatively, there are some good books on how to fix up a pool.  Try "The Complete Pool Manual for Homeowners and Professionals: A Step-by-Step Maintenance Guide."  I got it at Amazon.  It is a pretty detailed book, covering most types of pools.