Spring is here and many people in Florida are starting to use their pools. If people don't have a pool service company, their pool can catch them by surprise. Why is that? Most have not been doing the much needed consistent service they should have on a weekly basis. In the Orlando, Florida area there is no such thing as winterizing a pool. It's more cost effective and makes only sense to keep the pool running and maintain it. It is generally in the 70's and occasionally 80's in the winter months here in the winter. There are only probably 2 weeks where the temps may drop low enough to where water temps get cold enough. So if you save a couple dollars and risk spending hundreds more, it's hard to justify. Not to mention the wear and tear on your pool and equipment.
So now that your reading this and realize it's too late. Lesson learned and won't do that next year. What do I need to do to get my messy pool back in shape. Well first make sure your equipment is in good order. Especially your filter. Weather it may be a DE filter or cartridge filter, it may be time to consider servicing your DE filter or replacing your cartridge. Sometime best to start with the old one first and replace during the process.
Biggest tip is to use LOTS of chlorine if your pool is nasty green. Depending on the severity, more is usually better if you can't see the bottom at all. Then you can back off after pool is clearing up. First goal is to get the water clear. Then, the next step is to get the pool swimmable. Lot of filter cleaning and vacuuming is needed. Brushing after first dose of chlorine and then running the pool extra time. Doing this every couple of days is key to getting the pool cleaned up.
Sounds like a lot of work and the wife and kids anxiously waiting for the pool to use. It's time to call in the professionals. We can general clear up a pool in 10-14 days or less. If not it may be time to drain it and start over again. That's why it pays to have a professional that knows the best plan of attack. Saves you the aggravation and waste of costly chemicals. Draining a pool should never be done by a novice. The risk of popping a pool is way to high in Florida. The water table is high and posses a great risk. I have seen pools with water table only 3-4ft deep and had greater slopes on both sides. Springs or natural water sources can defy logic at times. We carry insurance to cover these risks. I have never seen a pool pop. However I have seen the aftermath of someone else's work before. I have been told that a costly mistake could entail $50,000 to remove the old pool and to build a new one. We also service pools that have cost even more that that to just build.
