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Kathi49
07-27-2008, 07:40 AM
Hi All,

I haven't been posting much because I have been too busy with contractors and running myself ragged.

But, the pool is in and looks great! My backyard looks like land mines hit it though. There was alot of dirt because my backyard is on a slope. So, I about died when I saw the mountains of dirt and as I said before, hubby has been out of town.

Thank goodness for the master electrician though! :) Not only did he do a super job, he answered EVERY question I had about above ground pools as it went along because he has one. He even stopped by the night before the work was to be done so he could map out the route. But bless his heart...I was ready to drop and ready to cry and I don't cry easily...just so darn tired! That night he just stayed and stayed and talked with me because I thought I was on the verge of a panic attack. It is exciting and fun...don't get me wrong. But a LOT to learn which was overwhelming me. Then when I saw the mountains of dirt the next day, he called a friend of his who just happens to live 5 houses down from me even though I don't know him. But he had this guy come out last night with a bobcat to remove the dirt and extra sand. So, I feel like writing a letter to his company commending him and I think I will. If it had not been for him, I would have lost it. At one point I think he took pity because he just hugged me and said it would get better...just hang in there. Oh, and I should add...I know both he and his wife. So, this wasn't a flirty hug LOL!

Anyway, while he was working and all day I might add. I was trying to bust up some dirt clods with a little tiny rake. He told me not to hurt myself and I told him...don't worry...I am going VERY, VERY SLOW.

Okay, so I attend pool school yesterday and learned even more. I was taking notes right and left but didn't need to. I don't have to use a ton of chemicals because I have a salt system. So, the instructor had those of us who had the salt system to stay after this class...it was just me and another couple. Thank goodness this is so much simpler and easier in other ways than using traditional chlorine, etc.

Anyway, it is done but there are two things I raised cain about. The sand filter was not leveled out nor were there pavers used. And they told me I had to put the ladder together. Wrong answer! So, those two things will be fixed next week. We paid for INSTALLATION and to have it done right...so there was my beef.

Next will come the heater and the gas. THEN it should all be done! But as usual, OF COURSE, there are different contractors for that. :rolleyes:

When my husband came home I thought he would die when he saw the yard. And don't get me wrong...we knew there would be damage or a lot of dirt. I guess we didn't expect that much!!! But he's okay...said we would take care of all of that later and not to worry.

So, that's it and I am tired but at least it is in and ready to go to a degree. I just hope there aren't issues next week LOL!

Mark N
07-28-2008, 01:24 AM
Kathi, it is good to hear you have the pool in with just some finishing touches needed. I hope you have it ujp an running soon so you can have a stressful day and just go jump into your pool to unwind. I imagine your kitchen looks like some bombs went off in there as they replace the cabinets, sinks, and counters. It will all be one day soon then you can kick back and relax. I think between your family and mine we are keeping the economy running. I will be glad when we finish all our work floors are done, bathroom fan on Tuesday, attic insulation this week, and then a new furnace the following week. You and I will be ready to kick back in a couple of weeks and have a big sigh of relief.

Kathi49
07-28-2008, 07:56 AM
Mark,

LOL! You are right but I can't jump into it just yet. Well, I could but the chemicals just aren't balanced yet NOR is the ladder put together yet. I could get in on the lower side but then how do I climb out because it is 52 inches deep all the way around and I am not going to kill myself trying to get out LOL! Anyway, yesterday I tested the water with the test strips and everything looked fine except the Alkalinity. So, I took a sample of water over to their pool lab and sure enough it is too high. And guess what you have to use to lower it? Muriatic Acid! I was freaked because, well I am not a guy, and have never dealt with this stuff and KNOW that it can cause severe burns let alone burn a hole through my car floorboard! :eek: So, I brought home it home and packed some pillows around just so that it wouldn't tip over...I was acting like I had nitro in my car or something LOL!

So, I sat there and fretted myself to death for awhile and ended up just putting on heavy duty rubber gloves, sunglasses lol, and just gently opened it, laid it easy on top of the water and just let it ease onto the water without any splashback. Of course before I did all this the pool folks had told me how to go about it but I ended up calling 3 male family members who just laughed at me. So, that is done and I think the Alkalinity is slowing coming down based on testing it last night.

See what I mean though? There is a LOT to learn that is somewhat overwhelming but everyone is saying once you get it all down it is not all that difficult. But I am reading everything I can...all the books that came with this stuff LOL! Now, if I can just figure out how to go about putting the vaccum together. Actually, I did put it together but need a bit of help yet...and can't use it yet until the chemicals have done their thing. The pool guys said everything has to circulate, adjust, etc., before using the vaccum. Actually, when I get this balanced all I have to do is throw in two chemicals every two weeks and test it along with backwashing which isn't difficult either. That is one thing I KNOW how to do now LOL! It is just a process right now. And the water looks great...it is not dirty at all...just not balanced yet. And you should have seen me out in the yard trimming the solar cover. I wish they made these things to be an absolute fit but they don't. So, I had to spread the whole thing across the grassy area and SLOWLY go around and trim about 3 inches off.

Oh, and my kitchen isn't worrisome at all. It is looking great and the countertops go in on August 4th. I guess it doesn't bug me as much as a torn up yard does. But DH said to contact this one lawn company since he is traveling AGAIN!

And you are right...I think we are keeping the economy running. :) Good luck with the floors, windows, fan, insulation and new furnace. :) These are all definitely major distractions in my opinion and scheduling has been a bear!

Mark N
07-28-2008, 08:16 AM
Kathi, you will be an old hand at the pool chemicals before you know it. Don't forget the effects of the sun on the chemicals and knowing how to test the water is a big deal. Glad to hear the kitchen is looking good and the counters are coming in soon. Just turn the lawn over to the lawn care company and you will be set.

slipnslide
07-28-2008, 11:16 AM
LMAO@ Nitro!...:D;)

Glad to hear it's almost done! Hopefully you'll have everything straightened out soon with the balance of the chemicals and get that ladder in so you can go for your first "dip".:D

Kathi49
07-28-2008, 12:26 PM
Thanks Mark,

Sun on chemicals is precisely why I took the sample of water over to them...just to make sure. Everything checked out okay on the PH, etc. It was just this other. And ditto on the lawn company...geez the dirt and mud now since it rained. :rolleyes::)

Kim,

LOL! Well, that's what I felt like...like I had Nitro in my car. I drove real slow too LOL! But of course the men in my family were laughing at me...hubby wasn't home at that point. Anyway, they just said go easy and to quit freaking out. :D