newbie with a pool! help!

[plumcrazy704406]

So we are hitting cold weather up here tad faster than I was hoping and need some swimming pool help! The farm we have purchased, but not yet closed, has an inground pool that is full but I assume hasn't been used since late spring. The water in it is pretty much black although it has had a cover over it. Looks like frogs are the only thing swimming in it!
Is it advisable to shock the water to clear it up before we take possession? We do have access to the property. We have no idea if anything is good, but all appears to be in decent shape. How long does a shock treatment take?
Any other ideas? We have never owned a pool, so we are pool virgins!

 

[comoxian]

I'm so sorry to hear that.

That is one thing that I will never, ever own again.

I don't see that shocking the pool will have any adverse affect on it at this time. It should only take a day or so for it to clear up. Poor frogs.

Is it a vinyl lined pool, or all concrete?

 

[plumcrazy704406]

it's lined. The water is black in it. Not sure if there is any bodies at the bottom! It looks to be about 10 years old. Unfortunately, with this deal, it was take it or leave it. I can explain after we close.
Because the season is changing and the cold weather is moving in, we may have to get someone to close the pool for us, but again, we probably can't get access for them to do it. So I thought maybe clearing up the water would help in the long run for closing purposes, or would it be better to leave it and drain it in a couple of weeks?

 

[comoxian]

If it's lined, you can't drain it. AFAIK. I'm no expert, but did own one for several years.

Ours got really green a few times. Just shocking it and vacuuming it out cleared it up very well. Then trying to balance the chems.

I'd probably call an expert and ask for opinions. You may be in a much colder climate that we had in Vancouver.

 

[Coryduran]

You can't drain it, but you can pump the old water out, it's kind of a long process, but I've done it before. You'd have to go buy a pump though, and decide what to do with all that nasty water.

Shocking it and then chemically balancing it, vacuuming, etc, seems like it's probably the best option for you right now.

 

[pettybludart]

Shock the heck out of it,get it clean before closing(just closed mine)Your best to get someone in to show you the ropes of closing/opening before the pipes freeze and crack.I,d also look into getting one of the new covers(like a trampoline cover)it,s the best thing I ever bought for my pool.Good luck.

 

[plumcrazy704406]

it has that type cover Scott. It just the pool hasn't been used all spring / summer. Some of the spring clips were not fastened down during this time.