How do you clean a pool that hasn't been opened in 5 years?

[BKLounger]

So my g/f's mother finally decided to open her pool after 5 years of not opening it (not even any upkeep). So she has been through 3 pool contractors (2 no shows and 1 that came out and hasn't called her back for a month now). So i have decided to step up and try to help her out.

I don't really know where to even start with this thing. The way is green and dark like stagnant water in a pond. So is there anything i should put into the water first. I was thinking about draining the pool but apparently if you drain the pool the liner shrivels up (from what i read). Also her mother remembers the guy that did go there said something like the (filter/housing/casing? one of those) was cracked and he would have to order a new one. How am i able to double check this guys assumption.

So where do i even start with this project? and no tearing the pool down is not an option because to redo the lawn that was under this thing would cosst far to much. Can anyone offer any suggestions or maybe refer me to a site that has some good how to's or a forum (i'm not afraid of doing a little reading).

 

[GasX]

Go to a pool store and ask them. you'll walk out with a bunch of chemicals to get started with. Don't just dump in a crapload of chlorine as you could mess things up.

 

[paulxcook]

Bomb it and start over.

 

[MichaelD]

Not an expert but have done this before (been awhile though)

1. Drain the pool completely. There is no way you can possibly get that water clean, clear and sanitary

2. Clean and disinfect the entire pool. This will involve acid (muriatic acid, IIRC) and possibly an abrasive cleanser of some kind. Ajax/Comet (a lot of it) and good old fashioned elbow grease. Don't use the acid with anything else.

3. Scrub, scrub, scrub. Rinse, rinse, rinse.

4. Once clean and WELL RINSED, fill pool.

5. Shock the heck out of the water with chlorine and other chemicals AS INSTRUCTED TO DO SO BY A QUALIFIED POOL CARE PROFESSIONAL. How much chemicals is based on how many gallons the pool holds.

You have a lot of work ahead of you. Get busy.

 

[mcvickj]

You will want to get a current pH reading of the pool and go from there. Local pool store should be able to help you out with the necessary supplies to get things back in order.

 

[BKLounger]

Originally posted by: MichaelD
Not an expert but have done this before (been awhile though)

1. Drain the pool completely. There is no way you can possibly get that water clean, clear and sanitary

2. Clean and disinfect the entire pool. This will involve acid (muriatic acid, IIRC) and possibly an abrasive cleanser of some kind. Ajax/Comet (a lot of it) and good old fashioned elbow grease. Don't use the acid with anything else.

3. Scrub, scrub, scrub. Rinse, rinse, rinse.

4. Once clean and WELL RINSED, fill pool.

5. Shock the heck out of the water with chlorine and other chemicals AS INSTRUCTED TO DO SO BY A QUALIFIED POOL CARE PROFESSIONAL. How much chemicals is based on how many gallons the pool holds.

You have a lot of work ahead of you. Get busy.

This is what i first thought but it is an above ground pool and if i drain it the lining will be fubar'd

Thanks for the tips so far everyone keep them coming. I am hoping to have this pool done sometime this summer (Yes i know i have a butt load of work ahead of me)

 

[steppinthrax]

Originally posted by: BKLounger
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: MichaelD
Not an expert but have done this before (been awhile though)

1. Drain the pool completely. There is no way you can possibly get that water clean, clear and sanitary

2. Clean and disinfect the entire pool. This will involve acid (muriatic acid, IIRC) and possibly an abrasive cleanser of some kind. Ajax/Comet (a lot of it) and good old fashioned elbow grease. Don't use the acid with anything else.

3. Scrub, scrub, scrub. Rinse, rinse, rinse.

4. Once clean and WELL RINSED, fill pool.

5. Shock the heck out of the water with chlorine and other chemicals AS INSTRUCTED TO DO SO BY A QUALIFIED POOL CARE PROFESSIONAL. How much chemicals is based on how many gallons the pool holds.

You have a lot of work ahead of you. Get busy. </end quote></div>


This is what i first thought but it is an above ground pool and if i drain it the lining will be fubar'd

Thanks for the tips so far everyone keep them coming. I am hoping to have this pool done sometime this summer (Yes i know i have a butt load of work ahead of me)

If it has a lining you most likely will have to get it re-lined.

 

[MichaelD]

Originally posted by: steppinthrax
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: BKLounger
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: MichaelD
Not an expert but have done this before (been awhile though)

1. Drain the pool completely. There is no way you can possibly get that water clean, clear and sanitary

2. Clean and disinfect the entire pool. This will involve acid (muriatic acid, IIRC) and possibly an abrasive cleanser of some kind. Ajax/Comet (a lot of it) and good old fashioned elbow grease. Don't use the acid with anything else.

3. Scrub, scrub, scrub. Rinse, rinse, rinse.

4. Once clean and WELL RINSED, fill pool.

5. Shock the heck out of the water with chlorine and other chemicals AS INSTRUCTED TO DO SO BY A QUALIFIED POOL CARE PROFESSIONAL. How much chemicals is based on how many gallons the pool holds.

You have a lot of work ahead of you. Get busy. </end quote></div>


This is what i first thought but it is an above ground pool and if i drain it the lining will be fubar'd

Thanks for the tips so far everyone keep them coming. I am hoping to have this pool done sometime this summer (Yes i know i have a butt load of work ahead of me)
</end quote></div>

If it has a lining you most likely will have to get it re-lined.

Yep. Didn't know it was an above ground. You can reline it yourself (the internet has instructions for everything ) but it probably won't come out well. Get a quote from several different sources. She either wants the pool or doesn't. (To fix or not to fix...)

 

[0roo0roo]

hire some mexicans.

 

[BKLounger]

Originally posted by: MichaelD
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: steppinthrax
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: BKLounger
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: MichaelD
Not an expert but have done this before (been awhile though)

1. Drain the pool completely. There is no way you can possibly get that water clean, clear and sanitary

2. Clean and disinfect the entire pool. This will involve acid (muriatic acid, IIRC) and possibly an abrasive cleanser of some kind. Ajax/Comet (a lot of it) and good old fashioned elbow grease. Don't use the acid with anything else.

3. Scrub, scrub, scrub. Rinse, rinse, rinse.

4. Once clean and WELL RINSED, fill pool.

5. Shock the heck out of the water with chlorine and other chemicals AS INSTRUCTED TO DO SO BY A QUALIFIED POOL CARE PROFESSIONAL. How much chemicals is based on how many gallons the pool holds.

You have a lot of work ahead of you. Get busy. </end quote></div>


This is what i first thought but it is an above ground pool and if i drain it the lining will be fubar'd

Thanks for the tips so far everyone keep them coming. I am hoping to have this pool done sometime this summer (Yes i know i have a butt load of work ahead of me)
</end quote></div>

If it has a lining you most likely will have to get it re-lined.

</end quote></div>

Yep. Didn't know it was an above ground. You can reline it yourself (the internet has instructions for everything ) but it probably won't come out well. Get a quote from several different sources. She either wants the pool or doesn't. (To fix or not to fix...)

Well she is selling the house and it is cheaper and more aesthetically (sp) pleasing to repair the pool than to go through tearing it down and re-landscaping the ground underneath (plus it means i would have access to a pool for the summer )

 

[techfuzz]

Originally posted by: BKLounger
Well she is selling the house and it is cheaper and more aesthetically (sp) pleasing to repair the pool than to go through tearing it down and re-landscaping the ground underneath (plus it means i would have access to a pool for the summer )

It's going to take many, many weeks to get that pool back in operating order. Summer is going to be over before you'll ever swim in it.

techfuzz

 

[steppinthrax]

Originally posted by: BKLounger
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: MichaelD
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: steppinthrax
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: BKLounger
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: MichaelD
Not an expert but have done this before (been awhile though)

1. Drain the pool completely. There is no way you can possibly get that water clean, clear and sanitary

2. Clean and disinfect the entire pool. This will involve acid (muriatic acid, IIRC) and possibly an abrasive cleanser of some kind. Ajax/Comet (a lot of it) and good old fashioned elbow grease. Don't use the acid with anything else.

3. Scrub, scrub, scrub. Rinse, rinse, rinse.

4. Once clean and WELL RINSED, fill pool.

5. Shock the heck out of the water with chlorine and other chemicals AS INSTRUCTED TO DO SO BY A QUALIFIED POOL CARE PROFESSIONAL. How much chemicals is based on how many gallons the pool holds.

You have a lot of work ahead of you. Get busy. </end quote></div>


This is what i first thought but it is an above ground pool and if i drain it the lining will be fubar'd

Thanks for the tips so far everyone keep them coming. I am hoping to have this pool done sometime this summer (Yes i know i have a butt load of work ahead of me)
</end quote></div>

If it has a lining you most likely will have to get it re-lined.

</end quote></div>

Yep. Didn't know it was an above ground. You can reline it yourself (the internet has instructions for everything ) but it probably won't come out well. Get a quote from several different sources. She either wants the pool or doesn't. (To fix or not to fix...)

</end quote></div>

Well she is selling the house and it is cheaper and more aesthetically (sp) pleasing to repair the pool than to go through tearing it down and re-landscaping the ground underneath (plus it means i would have access to a pool for the summer )

Actually sometimes a pool can be a bad selling point for a house. A pool is high maintenance and is dangerous. A lot of couples who buy homes have children and don't want them drowning (god forbid). Also it's expensive to maintain, you have to consider chemicals electrical cost and general maintance.

 

[zerocool1]

Originally posted by: steppinthrax
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: BKLounger
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: MichaelD
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: steppinthrax
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: BKLounger
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: MichaelD
Not an expert but have done this before (been awhile though)

1. Drain the pool completely. There is no way you can possibly get that water clean, clear and sanitary

2. Clean and disinfect the entire pool. This will involve acid (muriatic acid, IIRC) and possibly an abrasive cleanser of some kind. Ajax/Comet (a lot of it) and good old fashioned elbow grease. Don't use the acid with anything else.

3. Scrub, scrub, scrub. Rinse, rinse, rinse.

4. Once clean and WELL RINSED, fill pool.

5. Shock the heck out of the water with chlorine and other chemicals AS INSTRUCTED TO DO SO BY A QUALIFIED POOL CARE PROFESSIONAL. How much chemicals is based on how many gallons the pool holds.

You have a lot of work ahead of you. Get busy. </end quote></div>


This is what i first thought but it is an above ground pool and if i drain it the lining will be fubar'd

Thanks for the tips so far everyone keep them coming. I am hoping to have this pool done sometime this summer (Yes i know i have a butt load of work ahead of me)
</end quote></div>

If it has a lining you most likely will have to get it re-lined.

</end quote></div>

Yep. Didn't know it was an above ground. You can reline it yourself (the internet has instructions for everything ) but it probably won't come out well. Get a quote from several different sources. She either wants the pool or doesn't. (To fix or not to fix...)

</end quote></div>

Well she is selling the house and it is cheaper and more aesthetically (sp) pleasing to repair the pool than to go through tearing it down and re-landscaping the ground underneath (plus it means i would have access to a pool for the summer )

</end quote></div>


Actually sometimes a pool can be a bad selling point for a house. A pool is high maintenance and is dangerous. A lot of couples who buy homes have children and don't want them drowning (god forbid). Also it's expensive to maintain, you have to consider chemicals electrical cost and general maintance.

yep, i've got two words for you:attractive nuissance.

 

[EagleKeeper]

Talk to your local pool store or a company that installs above ground pools about the proper procedure.

You will have to drain the pool down to less than 6 inches of water for cleaning or repair.

If the liner has to be replaced; drain out the rest of the water in preperation for replacement. I do not know if it is wise to do that yourself.

If not, then you can start scrubbing to remove all the algie that will have collected. If the pool did not have a cover, you will have to scrape up all the crud that has collected on the bottom.

I do not know what the pool places would recommend for you to get the last few inches of water out & clean. You may have to put some wieghts around the bottom edge of the pool to hold the liner in place while you drain the rest of the liquid.

 

[BKLounger]

Originally posted by: steppinthrax
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: BKLounger
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: MichaelD
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: steppinthrax
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: BKLounger
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: MichaelD
Not an expert but have done this before (been awhile though)

1. Drain the pool completely. There is no way you can possibly get that water clean, clear and sanitary

2. Clean and disinfect the entire pool. This will involve acid (muriatic acid, IIRC) and possibly an abrasive cleanser of some kind. Ajax/Comet (a lot of it) and good old fashioned elbow grease. Don't use the acid with anything else.

3. Scrub, scrub, scrub. Rinse, rinse, rinse.

4. Once clean and WELL RINSED, fill pool.

5. Shock the heck out of the water with chlorine and other chemicals AS INSTRUCTED TO DO SO BY A QUALIFIED POOL CARE PROFESSIONAL. How much chemicals is based on how many gallons the pool holds.

You have a lot of work ahead of you. Get busy. </end quote></div>


This is what i first thought but it is an above ground pool and if i drain it the lining will be fubar'd

Thanks for the tips so far everyone keep them coming. I am hoping to have this pool done sometime this summer (Yes i know i have a butt load of work ahead of me)
</end quote></div>

If it has a lining you most likely will have to get it re-lined.

</end quote></div>

Yep. Didn't know it was an above ground. You can reline it yourself (the internet has instructions for everything ) but it probably won't come out well. Get a quote from several different sources. She either wants the pool or doesn't. (To fix or not to fix...)

</end quote></div>

Well she is selling the house and it is cheaper and more aesthetically (sp) pleasing to repair the pool than to go through tearing it down and re-landscaping the ground underneath (plus it means i would have access to a pool for the summer )

</end quote></div>


Actually sometimes a pool can be a bad selling point for a house. A pool is high maintenance and is dangerous. A lot of couples who buy homes have children and don't want them drowning (god forbid). Also it's expensive to maintain, you have to consider chemicals electrical cost and general maintance.

Well the realtor she is going to be going with told her to fix it up and it made sense to me because if it's 95 degrees and hot out are people really going to think about the maintenance of it or are they just going to be thinking how much they want to be in the pool at that moment.

 

[brandonbull]

It's going to take a lot of algicide and shock treatments.

Buy a couple of extra filters and be prepared to change and clean them on a daily basis until all the algae is removed. Unless the liner is damaged, you shouldn't need to replace it.

 

[compman25]

If it's an above ground pool it isn't worth saving.

 

[FoBoT]

drain it completely

climb in with buckets of soap/bleach

scrub


scrub

scrub


scrub some more

rinse

scrub

rinse

fill it up and add pool chemicals

 

[Barrak]

My buddy just went through the same thing, but it was about 8 years and the pools next to a small forest on one side. We spend hours and hours dredging the bottom of the pool to get most of the large stuff out. Then started dumping shock/chlorine/antibacterial into the pool. You have to replace the filter "sand" alot but we managed to get it clean. Took about 2 weeks or more of constant work. Once it was fairly clear we got a few of the cheep floor sponges (think a mob but with a spong at the end) and scrubed all the walls. The liner is a bit faided and discolored in a few places but we never had to drain the pool and start over.

On a side note, 3 dead frogs, 1 bird and one other carcas that I think was a small possum or rat or something.

 

[Fritzo]

You'll need to drain that water, then scrub the walls with chorine (wear OLD clothes...they'll get bleach stains). Once that's done, refill with fresh water and use shock for the first week or so. Should be easy after that.

Again, DO NOT try to salvage the water. There's no doubt all kinds of funky bacteria in there from the bird junk and dead bugs. Wear protective gear when disposing of the water too...try to drain it directly to a sewer or to the street curb.

 

[amdskip]

Yeah wouldn't it just be better to drain it and put a new liner in it?