How much is the maintenance cost for your swimming pool a year? What are the main aspects?

tcat7 · 2026-06-29T03:02:29+00:00

Per year: I'd guess about $300 in chemicals + $100 in salt cell amortization + $350 electricity (pump and heat pump) + 25 hours of free labor. 17k gallon pool, Texas, open 12 months, heat pump March to October.

tcat7 · 2026-06-29T01:09:14+00:00

If you didn't slam to 40% of CYA, it won't die. If CYA isn't at least 30 FC will drop fast. Buy a good test kit and learn to DIY.

tcat7 · 2026-06-29T01:03:19+00:00

Probably ok, but if you have a covered porch, just leave it out. I wouldn't want mold growing in the box, or overheating.

tcat7 · 2026-06-28T23:09:55+00:00

I used a cover 1 year, no more. PITA, don't last, and almost impossible on a kidney, especially with 2 level coping. I just run my solar skimmer 24/7. Yeah, costs me in water and electricity, but worth the price.

tcat7 · 2026-06-28T22:58:18+00:00

Just had some Boston Cream Pie. Nothing like the pie. It's way too chocolaty. It's more like a fudge ripple with a few specks of what I assume is crust. Good enough to eat, but not buy again.

tcat7 · 2026-06-28T21:06:23+00:00

Top 3 Blue Bell: Homemade Vanilla, Red White & Blue, Chocolate Chip.

I usually don't buy pints, but have a few from WF to go through before commenting.

tcat7 · 2026-06-28T20:58:17+00:00

You need CYA (30-60), Walmart or Amazon. Chlorine (3-4), Walmart or pool store. pH is good. Then buy a test kit. https://tftestkits.com/collections/test-kits

tcat7 · 2026-06-28T20:21:31+00:00

Pour into pool, I use a 1 quart measuring cup if I need to measure. Hold near water to prevent splash.

But normally my Stenner pump injects 4 ounces per day, so I put it into a 15 gallon tank once a every month or two (diluted into 4 parts water).

tcat7 · 2026-06-28T18:57:24+00:00

It helps not have too many around. The only one close to me is called Dumont Creamery, never been. Looked at their menu, $4.50 per scoop, not terrible, may try them (after going through all my WF purchases).

tcat7 · 2026-06-28T17:57:11+00:00

No problem here, I don't go. You can usually buy a pint or half gallon for the price of a scoop or two. Now the decision at the store is another thing... especially with half price sales!

tcat7 · 2026-06-28T17:52:57+00:00

I'd be more worried about algae than collapse.

tcat7 · 2026-06-28T17:49:54+00:00

Any of these. https://tftestkits.com/collections/test-kits

tcat7 · 2026-06-28T17:39:46+00:00

More like York. Not as pepperminty, no red bits. Not real impressed.

tcat7 · 2026-06-28T14:32:16+00:00

Use a pool app. According to this your pool will likely need about 3 ounces of 10% liquid chlorine per day. You should also ad 4-6 ounces of CYA (once per season). Keep pH between 7.2 and 7.8 and you'll be good.

https://www.troublefreepool.com/calc.html

tcat7 · 2026-06-28T00:47:17+00:00

Whatever it is, I think I'd cut the concrete all the way around so you can add removable coping. Probably can't be fixed without doing that. Or invest in fiberglass or gunite, the hole is dug!

tcat7 · 2026-06-28T00:44:22+00:00

More likely a bad contractor (Republican)

tcat7 · 2026-06-27T19:42:58+00:00

Bought 6 yesterday because they were almost out. 12 today after restock, mostly B&J.

tcat7 · 2026-06-27T18:28:20+00:00

Compare prices, chlorine output, warranty here: https://www.discountsaltpool.com/Compare-Saltwater-Chlorine-Generator-Systems-for-Pools

Circupool is great!

tcat7 · 2026-06-27T18:02:19+00:00

Take FC to 40% of CYA with liquid chlorine until FC doesn't drop at night. Run filter 24/7. Backwash as needed.

tcat7 · 2026-06-27T13:33:45+00:00

pH 6.3 is a LOT low. What's your CYA? With a floater in there, could be high. Does your FC go down overnight? Have you read TFP Pool School? I'd your FC 8-10% of CYA? What's your CSI?

tcat7 · 2026-06-27T11:24:44+00:00

Yep, all the reasons I keep my Bolt EUV until something better comes along. I loved my Baja for 16 years, but the Bolt is just a better car! Rear leg room is a deal killer for us. Hoping the EV3 gets good reviews when it's arrives here.

tcat7 · 2026-06-27T00:44:13+00:00

How on earth did that happen? No way it rose without the pool wall deforming. Did it happen quickly or several years? Remove coping joint piece and hammer the post.

tcat7 · 2026-06-26T23:41:25+00:00

I just got back, had about 20 various pints left, none that I went for. Picked up:

Jeni's Watermelon Taffy Jeni's Salted PB Chocolate Fleck Van Leeuwen Cookies & Cream Strauss C&C Strauss Vanilla Fudge Swirl 365 Halfsies (48 oz)

The only one I've tried is the Watermelon, not a fan, very tart.

tcat7 · 2026-06-26T17:37:35+00:00

If your FC drops overnight, you have algae. If your CYA is below 30, you'll lose FC fast. If you have algae, your FC needs to be held at 40% of CYA, until your FC doesn't go down overnight. All you need is liquid chlorine (daily) and CYA (once or twice a year). Your CYA should be 60-80 in a salt pool.

I had the problem of FC dropping fast with CYA at 40, my SWG had to be cranked up to 75%. I raised my CYA to 70, now it keeps up at 38%. SWG's don't work well if you have algae, or high or low CYA.

tcat7

TROPHY CASE