I finally emptied & cleaned & refilled & balanced the pool -

[Danny D.]

Just to keep you wonderful guys updated about the huckleberries ...

I finally emptied the pool, cleaned out the muck, and started filling
it from the well, and then, just today, solved, the problem of adding
cyanuric acid professional "powder" (not the "retail" granules!) and
am in the middle of figuring out to get the equipment back running.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2905/13938941660_aec761128e_b.jpg

Whew!

Lots of approached failed miserably, while only a few worked.
https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3775/14105502020_5de40a3c18_b.jpg

But, in the end, the combination of successful methods resulted
in a pool that is almost ready to be turned on for the summer!
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2938/14291613184_69136dcef2_b.jpg

Thanks!

 

[amdx]

On 5/28/2014 3:45 PM, Danny D. wrote:

Just to keep you wonderful guys updated about the huckleberries ...

I finally emptied the pool, cleaned out the muck, and started filling
it from the well, and then, just today, solved, the problem of adding
cyanuric acid professional "powder" (not the "retail" granules!) and
am in the middle of figuring out to get the equipment back running.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2905/13938941660_aec761128e_b.jpg

Whew!

Lots of approached failed miserably, while only a few worked.
https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3775/14105502020_5de40a3c18_b.jpg

But, in the end, the combination of successful methods resulted
in a pool that is almost ready to be turned on for the summer!
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2938/14291613184_69136dcef2_b.jpg

Thanks!

I'm one of those that would say, "I'll buy the house, if you fill in
the pool."
But I'm glad you have the work done so you can keep up on the
maintenance.
Mikek

---
This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection is active.
http://www.avast.com

 

[TekkieŽ]

Danny D. posted for all of us...

And I know how to SNIP

Just to keep you wonderful guys updated about the huckleberries ...

I finally emptied the pool, cleaned out the muck, and started filling
it from the well, and then, just today, solved, the problem of adding
cyanuric acid professional "powder" (not the "retail" granules!) and
am in the middle of figuring out to get the equipment back running.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2905/13938941660_aec761128e_b.jpg

Whew!

Lots of approached failed miserably, while only a few worked.
https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3775/14105502020_5de40a3c18_b.jpg

But, in the end, the combination of successful methods resulted
in a pool that is almost ready to be turned on for the summer!
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2938/14291613184_69136dcef2_b.jpg

Thanks!

I'll be over for my yearly dip.

--
Tekkie

 

[gonjah]

On 5/28/2014 5:11 PM, amdx wrote:

On 5/28/2014 3:45 PM, Danny D. wrote:
Just to keep you wonderful guys updated about the huckleberries ...

I finally emptied the pool, cleaned out the muck, and started filling
it from the well, and then, just today, solved, the problem of adding
cyanuric acid professional "powder" (not the "retail" granules!) and
am in the middle of figuring out to get the equipment back running.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2905/13938941660_aec761128e_b.jpg

Whew!

Lots of approached failed miserably, while only a few worked.
https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3775/14105502020_5de40a3c18_b.jpg

But, in the end, the combination of successful methods resulted
in a pool that is almost ready to be turned on for the summer!
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2938/14291613184_69136dcef2_b.jpg

Thanks!

I'm one of those that would say, "I'll buy the house, if you fill in
the pool."
But I'm glad you have the work done so you can keep up on the
maintenance.
Mikek

---
This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus
protection is active.
http://www.avast.com

I have a small backyard with a 10,000 gal pool and deck. I think it's
easier to care for than grass.

 

[Danny D.]

gonjah wrote, on Wed, 28 May 2014 21:14:11 -0500:

Your finish looks kind of like my PebbleSheen finish.
http://www.pebbletec.com/products/pebble-sheen?color=aqua-blue

Your finish is very nice.

Mine, which can be seen dry here, is a gray color which has
somehow turned a whitish blueish greenish from something,
perhaps algae treatments and/or calcium deposits?
https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3750/14288493624_8dbd17ae83_b.jpg

One thing I find in the finish that is weird is this mottled
cracked-mud-like appearance when it's just getting wet.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2931/14288493524_c08c586110_b.jpg

In that picture above, on the left side, what do you think
causes that cracked-mud look?

 

[gonjah]

On 5/28/2014 3:45 PM, Danny D. wrote:

Just to keep you wonderful guys updated about the huckleberries ...

I finally emptied the pool, cleaned out the muck, and started filling
it from the well, and then, just today, solved, the problem of adding
cyanuric acid professional "powder" (not the "retail" granules!) and
am in the middle of figuring out to get the equipment back running.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2905/13938941660_aec761128e_b.jpg

Whew!

Lots of approached failed miserably, while only a few worked.
https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3775/14105502020_5de40a3c18_b.jpg

But, in the end, the combination of successful methods resulted
in a pool that is almost ready to be turned on for the summer!
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2938/14291613184_69136dcef2_b.jpg

Thanks!

Your finish looks kind of like my PebbleSheen finish.

http://www.pebbletec.com/products/pebble-sheen?color=aqua-blue

 

[Danny D.]

TekkieÂŽ wrote, on Wed, 28 May 2014 19:27:16 -0400:

> I'll be over for my yearly dip.

It's almost ready for your annual dip!

So far, it has taken three weeks (elapsed time) to almost fill
the pool from the well water because the well just couldn't put
out more than about a thousand or two thousand gallons without
running dry.
https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3721/14102370180_24804dcb1c_b.jpg

I've snaked all the bottom drains, popups, and side vents:
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2922/14291612944_ff63173085_b.jpg

One huge technical problem I just solved today was how to
dissolve 12 pounds of professional cyanuric acid powder in
one sitting!
https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3717/14105281287_3bd6f33721_b.jpg

As you may know, CYA has a low solubility in water (2g/l@25ÂşC).
That means only 1/10th of a pound can dissolve in my 5g bucket:
https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5517/14106225077_1ff36835bd_b.jpg

After making a few mistakes, I realized is that this professional
powder cannot be applied wet, as the retail granules are!

It must be applied dry!
Otherwise it cakes instantly!
https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5159/14312008673_e62b59f88c_b.jpg

I finally figured out how to keep the cyanuric acid powder in
a suspension, so that it can be poured into the pool like milk!
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2901/14286472672_53c71a9dd0_b.jpg

The result is a dispersing "cloud" of water-separated particles:
https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3799/14106114938_496f8fb243_b.jpg

But, it took a few experiments where all I got was caked CYA on
the floor of the pool before I figured out the physical chemistry
of a substance that turns into instant cement with water!
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2898/14101828278_d92c16a580_b.jpg

Apparently the cyanuric acid is slow to dissolve because of the
amount of energy it takes for water to dislodge a CYA molecule
from its crystal structure (analogous to an activation energy for
chemical reactions).
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2911/14292238064_19b14c9b48_b.jpg

The rate of dissolving has a far greater dependence on the
surface area of the granules and on the circulation of
water around them. Finely crushed CYA dissolves more quickly
than the retail granules, though it is so light that it can't
readily break the surface tension of water and ends up floating
on the surface when I apply it by shaking it out of a dry net:
https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5113/14106128430_5d9d55434f_b.jpg

So, I learned a lot about how the pros apply cyanuric acid
powder (which, I might add, isn't easy to buy because it's not
apparently sold to the general public):
https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3754/14288464215_e1f9945a46_b.jpg

 

[Danny D.]

gonjah wrote, on Wed, 28 May 2014 19:34:55 -0500:

I have a small backyard with a 10,000 gal pool and deck.
I think it's easier to care for than grass.

The maintenance task is a bit more difficult than most for me.

For one, I don't know why pill bugs LOVE my pool so much!
https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3742/14101840660_e8ccf7a462_z.jpg

And, for another, I don't have any of the right tools.
For example, this is the only "pool vacuum" I own:
https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3775/14105502020_5de40a3c18_c.jpg

And, this Craftsman sump pump just impotently dribbles!
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2930/14288460005_edd92c725c_z.jpg

It drives me crazy that 1/2 horsepower takes about an hour
to fill up a 5-gallon bucket when the inlet end is immersed
in water the entire time!
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2902/14101791829_8be1770d6b_z.jpg

You'd think Craftsman tools would work better than that!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/98287134@N02/14101828108/

Another maintenance task is applying the huge amount of
chlorine to the pool in various forms:
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2908/14265343766_fc5922732f_b.jpg

So, all in all, I wouldn't wish pool maintenance on my
worst enemy; but maybe I just need the right tools.

NOTE: If you have any idea WHY that 1/2 Horsepower Craftsman
pump sucks so badly, please let me know (because it makes
maintenance manual when it should be automatic!).

 

[Danny D.]

gonjah wrote, on Thu, 29 May 2014 20:47:29 -0500:

What is the hardness level of your well water? I've been told hard-water
causes mottling. The cracking? I'm not sure, but it could be related. I
think the only thing you can do is refinish and don't use hard water.
(got $5 to $10 grand to spare?)

Here is a shot of the pool store analysis of the well water this week:
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2921/14290908472_74a42f6d2f_b.jpg

It says 200ppm for Calcium, which is pretty good for a pool, I think.

 

[gonjah]

On 5/29/2014 12:13 AM, Danny D. wrote:

Mine, which can be seen dry here, is a gray color which has
somehow turned a whitish blueish greenish from something,
perhaps algae treatments and/or calcium deposits?
https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3750/14288493624_8dbd17ae83_b.jpg

What is the hardness level of your well water? I've been told hard-water
causes mottling. The cracking? I'm not sure, but it could be related. I
think the only thing you can do is refinish and don't use hard water.
(got $5 to $10 grand to spare?)

Hopefully someone else has a cheaper idea.

 

[gonjah]

On 5/29/2014 9:25 PM, Danny D. wrote:

gonjah wrote, on Thu, 29 May 2014 20:47:29 -0500:

What is the hardness level of your well water? I've been told hard-water
causes mottling. The cracking? I'm not sure, but it could be related. I
think the only thing you can do is refinish and don't use hard water.
(got $5 to $10 grand to spare?)

Here is a shot of the pool store analysis of the well water this week:
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2921/14290908472_74a42f6d2f_b.jpg

It says 200ppm for Calcium, which is pretty good for a pool, I think.

I'd think so too. That's the water hardness right out of the well?

I had the opposite problem. The previous owners were using soft water to
refill the pool and the plaster got pitted. I thought adding calcium
might reverse the problem but the pool store guys said that it doesn't
work like that. So I refinished the pool.

 

[TekkieŽ]

Danny D. posted for all of us...

And I know how to SNIP

TekkieŽ wrote, on Wed, 28 May 2014 19:27:16 -0400:

I'll be over for my yearly dip.

It's almost ready for your annual dip!

So far, it has taken three weeks (elapsed time) to almost fill
the pool from the well water because the well just couldn't put
out more than about a thousand or two thousand gallons without
running dry.
https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3721/14102370180_24804dcb1c_b.jpg

I've snaked all the bottom drains, popups, and side vents:
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2922/14291612944_ff63173085_b.jpg

One huge technical problem I just solved today was how to
dissolve 12 pounds of professional cyanuric acid powder in
one sitting!
https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3717/14105281287_3bd6f33721_b.jpg

As you may know, CYA has a low solubility in water (2g/l@25şC).
That means only 1/10th of a pound can dissolve in my 5g bucket:
https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5517/14106225077_1ff36835bd_b.jpg

After making a few mistakes, I realized is that this professional
powder cannot be applied wet, as the retail granules are!

It must be applied dry!
Otherwise it cakes instantly!
https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5159/14312008673_e62b59f88c_b.jpg

I finally figured out how to keep the cyanuric acid powder in
a suspension, so that it can be poured into the pool like milk!
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2901/14286472672_53c71a9dd0_b.jpg

The result is a dispersing "cloud" of water-separated particles:
https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3799/14106114938_496f8fb243_b.jpg

But, it took a few experiments where all I got was caked CYA on
the floor of the pool before I figured out the physical chemistry
of a substance that turns into instant cement with water!
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2898/14101828278_d92c16a580_b.jpg

Apparently the cyanuric acid is slow to dissolve because of the
amount of energy it takes for water to dislodge a CYA molecule
from its crystal structure (analogous to an activation energy for
chemical reactions).
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2911/14292238064_19b14c9b48_b.jpg

The rate of dissolving has a far greater dependence on the
surface area of the granules and on the circulation of
water around them. Finely crushed CYA dissolves more quickly
than the retail granules, though it is so light that it can't
readily break the surface tension of water and ends up floating
on the surface when I apply it by shaking it out of a dry net:
https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5113/14106128430_5d9d55434f_b.jpg

So, I learned a lot about how the pros apply cyanuric acid
powder (which, I might add, isn't easy to buy because it's not
apparently sold to the general public):
https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3754/14288464215_e1f9945a46_b.jpg

Let me know!

--
Tekkie Cow farts cause global warming - Andrea Tantaros on The Five

 

[sms]

On 5/28/2014 1:45 PM, Danny D. wrote:

Just to keep you wonderful guys updated about the huckleberries ...

I finally emptied the pool, cleaned out the muck, and started filling
it from the well, and then, just today, solved, the problem of adding
cyanuric acid professional "powder" (not the "retail" granules!) and
am in the middle of figuring out to get the equipment back running.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2905/13938941660_aec761128e_b.jpg

Whew!

Lots of approached failed miserably, while only a few worked.
https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3775/14105502020_5de40a3c18_b.jpg

But, in the end, the combination of successful methods resulted
in a pool that is almost ready to be turned on for the summer!
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2938/14291613184_69136dcef2_b.jpg

Thanks!

I highly recommend adding borate. It's enabled me to drastically reduce
the pump run time while maintaining a clear pool with optimal ph level
and optimal chlorine level.

<http://www.troublefreepool.com/threads/4655-So-you-want-to-add-borates-to-your-pool-Why-and-How>

The more expensive, easier, way is to buy a product like Pool Proof
<http://nisuscorp.com/pool-spa/products/poolproof>.

The cheaper, harder way, is to use 20 Mule Team Borax powder and acid.

 

[Danny D.]

gonjah wrote, on Fri, 30 May 2014 07:12:44 -0500:

It says 200ppm for Calcium, which is pretty good for a pool, I think.
I'd think so too. That's the water hardness right out of the well?

Yup. That's pure California groundwater, at 200ppm Calcium.

The well had a tough time keeping up with the load though. I think I
started filling the pool in the first week of May, optimistically
measuring the flow at 5 gallons a minute per garden hose:
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2896/14125545870_b568cc41be_b.jpg

But, it took until the end of May before the water level was high
enough to reach the skimmers in order to turn on the equipment:
https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3814/14125545570_e6f48b9f56_b.jpg

I had the opposite problem. The previous owners were using soft
water to refill the pool and the plaster got pitted.

I see. That's what everyone seems to be worried about, but,
"my" plaster is the opposite of pitted. It has scratchy sand grains
of Calcium on the walls, and on anything left in the pool for a
long time:
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2897/14125545680_b8309bd6e3_b.jpg

I thought adding calcium might reverse the problem but the pool
store guys said that it doesn't work like that. So I refinished
the pool.

Wow. Refinishing is a lot of work. I was tempted to wash the pool
walls with muriatic acid, to get rid of the calcium sand grains,
but, I decided to do that next year instead.

 

[Danny D.]

sms wrote, on Fri, 30 May 2014 17:42:32 -0700:

I highly recommend adding borate. It's enabled me to drastically reduce
the pump run time while maintaining a clear pool with optimal ph level
and optimal chlorine level.

http://www.troublefreepool.com/threads/4655-So-you-want-to-add-borates-to-your-pool-Why-and-How

Hi SMS,
I was wondering where you were lately.

You had turned me on to the 12% HASA liquid chlorine deal a few years
ago, which has, unfortunately, gotten more complicated lately than
just printing a coupon off their web site.

I don't know if you've been there, but, now, you pay, in the end,
about $3.85 for a gallon of liquid chlorine, but the 'deal' is
complicated because you first buy 6 gallons, and then you get 2
gallons free with a printable coupon; but then you get a card
marked off, which says "buy 11, get the next one free".

I can never do the math anymore, but the pool guys told me it
turns out to something like $3.85 per gallon. You know when
you get confused when you're buying something that they made
it confusing on purpose.

Anyway, my biggest problem was that I didn't have enough
water to fill the pool in one shot!
https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5454/13951706528_461bb9e146_b.jpg

In fact, it took about three weeks to fill the pool to the level
that the skimmers could work without the pumps sucking air:
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2897/14125545680_b8309bd6e3_b.jpg

That I needed tons of chlorine, which was just being burnt off
by the sun, until I figured out the trick to adding POWDERED
(not granular!) cyanuric acid such that a dozen pounds of the
cya powder dissolved in the pool water in just one application!
https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3799/14106114938_496f8fb243_b.jpg

Those 'clouds' in that picture above are *in* the water, not
above the water. It's a beautiful sight to see as anyone who
has waited eons for granules of CYA to dissolve will appreciate.

My *biggest* problem is that this Craftsman 1/2 HP pump wouldn't
pump water except at a dribble!
https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3791/14101828108_a29729f003_b.jpg

I'm sure there is something wrong with it, as I spent more
time priming it than it did pumping. It wouldn't develop a head
of more than about a foot, which seems dismal for a half horsepower.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2930/14288460005_edd92c725c_b.jpg

Does anyone know what goes wrong with such a pump which makes
it almost useless since it can only pump level (i.e., it couldn't
bring water *out* of the pool, so I had to hand carry the water
out from the deep end!
https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3734/14265879606_1805700dc5_b.jpg

I don't want to do *that* ever again, so I should figure out
how to figure out what is wrong with the 1/2HP Craftsman pump!
https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5466/13944870260_4713d4a257_b.jpg

 

[sms]

On 5/31/2014 6:32 AM, Danny D. wrote:

sms wrote, on Fri, 30 May 2014 17:42:32 -0700:

I highly recommend adding borate. It's enabled me to drastically reduce
the pump run time while maintaining a clear pool with optimal ph level
and optimal chlorine level.

http://www.troublefreepool.com/threads/4655-So-you-want-to-add-borates-to-your-pool-Why-and-How

Hi SMS,
I was wondering where you were lately.

You had turned me on to the 12% HASA liquid chlorine deal a few years
ago, which has, unfortunately, gotten more complicated lately than
just printing a coupon off their web site.

I don't know if you've been there, but, now, you pay, in the end,
about $3.85 for a gallon of liquid chlorine, but the 'deal' is
complicated because you first buy 6 gallons, and then you get 2
gallons free with a printable coupon; but then you get a card
marked off, which says "buy 11, get the next one free".

Yeah, it's a pain in the butt. They said it was because Hasa changed
ownership and the new owners aren't offering the stores the same
promotions as in the past. I rarely require so much chlorine so unless I
share eight gallons with my neighbor I'm back to buying the two gallons
in the box. I'm using a lot less chlorine now because of the borates.

Anyway, my biggest problem was that I didn't have enough
water to fill the pool in one shot!
https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5454/13951706528_461bb9e146_b.jpg

But you should be happy that you're not paying for the water.

In fact, it took about three weeks to fill the pool to the level
that the skimmers could work without the pumps sucking air:
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2897/14125545680_b8309bd6e3_b.jpg

That I needed tons of chlorine, which was just being burnt off
by the sun, until I figured out the trick to adding POWDERED
(not granular!) cyanuric acid such that a dozen pounds of the
cya powder dissolved in the pool water in just one application!
https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3799/14106114938_496f8fb243_b.jpg

Those 'clouds' in that picture above are *in* the water, not
above the water. It's a beautiful sight to see as anyone who
has waited eons for granules of CYA to dissolve will appreciate.

My *biggest* problem is that this Craftsman 1/2 HP pump wouldn't
pump water except at a dribble!
https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3791/14101828108_a29729f003_b.jpg

I'm sure there is something wrong with it, as I spent more
time priming it than it did pumping. It wouldn't develop a head
of more than about a foot, which seems dismal for a half horsepower.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2930/14288460005_edd92c725c_b.jpg

Does anyone know what goes wrong with such a pump which makes
it almost useless since it can only pump level (i.e., it couldn't
bring water *out* of the pool, so I had to hand carry the water
out from the deep end!
https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3734/14265879606_1805700dc5_b.jpg

I use a Harbor Freight pump for draining. I think the seals dry out on
unused pumps. The two times I've drained the pool have been with new
pumps since after I drain it, the pump sits unused for about seven years.

<http://www.harborfreight.com/1-horsepower-submersible-dirty-water-pump-with-float-69300.html>.
Then a 25% off coupon so it's less than $48. I would have let you borrow
it. I adapted it to the pool hose and pump the water into a downstairs
toilet because I can't find the access to the sewer in the yard (I'm
sure it's buried there somewhere). My neighbor said I could use his but
he has never been able to get it open.

I don't want to do *that* ever again, so I should figure out
how to figure out what is wrong with the 1/2HP Craftsman pump!
https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5466/13944870260_4713d4a257_b.jpg

The key thing to remember when draining and refilling a pool is to
always drain the deep end first and refill the deep end first.

 

[DannyD.]

sms wrote, on Sat, 31 May 2014 07:46:48 -0700:

If you fill the pool in one day you don't need to be adding chlorine
or CYA or calcium as you go along.

Hi Steve,

You're my neighbor, so you know how potent the sun is out here!

I agree that had I filled the pool in a day, the 0 ppm of cyanuric acid
wouldn't have been as much a problem of the chlorine disappearing every
day.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2908/14265343766_fc5922732f_b.jpg

But, since I filled the pool over a period of three weeks, it was
eating a few gallons of 12% liquid chlorine a day, and it still had zero
ppm chlorine every time I tested a day thereafter.

That unexpected (expensive) problem was resolved in two days, with
a dozen pounds of cyanuric acid *powder*. Note this is the restricted
powder, which is the same chemical as the granules, only it's a bone
white *powder*.
https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3681/14288489941_6ef4ef8f92_b.jpg

The problem with the powder is that it instantly turns into cement
the moment it smells water, so, it can coat your lungs in a second!
Notice what happened here, as it caked into a brick with water:
https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5159/14312008673_e62b59f88c_b.jpg

Do you have "city water" or just a well? It costs a lot to fill a pool
with "city water" but there are some advantages.

It costs a lot from a well also, as electricity is something like
45 cents a KWH (as you are aware0.

It's a well.

Where I grew up, in Florida, most houses had wells for sprinkler systems
but no one used that water for pool filling. And you couldn't really
drain your pool completely because it would pop out of the ground
http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2013/10/11/pedraza-family-pool-pops-up/>.

I am always worried about those popping-out-of-the-ground scare stories,
but, it seems dry enough here that the bigger danger is the plaster
drying out:
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2898/14292131745_4619f60787_b.jpg

 

[DannyD.]

sms wrote, on Sat, 31 May 2014 07:34:45 -0700:

The way the real estate market is where Denny and I live a buyer would
never dare to say anything like that. There will be fifty other buyers
offering a cash deal and taking the house as-is. $10K to demolish the
pool would be a cost that would be lost in the noise.

Heh heh ... I agree with you.

A guy nearby bought a house here and put in $700K of renovations just to
make the place livable!

 

[sms]

On 5/28/2014 3:11 PM, amdx wrote:

I'm one of those that would say, "I'll buy the house, if you fill in
the pool."

The way the real estate market is where Denny and I live a buyer would
never dare to say anything like that. There will be fifty other buyers
offering a cash deal and taking the house as-is. $10K to demolish the
pool would be a cost that would be lost in the noise.

 

[DannyD.]

sms wrote, on Sat, 31 May 2014 07:25:48 -0700:

Yeah, it's a pain in the butt. They said it was because Hasa changed
ownership and the new owners aren't offering the stores the same
promotions as in the past.

Hi Steve,

You know, those two guys who work there? They scare me. I don't know
if I believe a thing they say. But, they told me that HASA didn't
like them undercutting everyone else, so, it's a relatively similar
story to what they told you.

I've learned never to show up at 10am opening time for them.
About half the time, they don't arrive there until 11am. So you
(and a few others) wait in the parking lot for them to arrive.

They tell me they do that when "Dave" (whoever that is) is on
vacation. Dunno what is going on, but it always seems fishy.

Also, when I pay cash, the cash register drawer opens, but, nothing
gets rung up. Now, you don't have to tell me what that means, but,
if they're not paying their taxes, they shouldn't be charging *me*
the $1.80 for the tax on the case of "free" chlorine they're giving
me (for buying many gallons).

Same thing, by the way, with Vito's Pizza over on Lawrence and Reed,
but that's another story altogether!

Anyway, I love the liquid chlorine deal you turned me on to,
simply because I use a lot of the stuff!
https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3678/14286469592_4e18e5582b_b.jpg

I rarely require so much chlorine so unless I share eight gallons with
my neighbor I'm back to buying the two gallons in the box.
I'm using a lot less chlorine now because of the borates.

Maybe I should try the BBB method myself!