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Is this an automatic vacuum or just a manual. Check to make sure that the vacuum inlet is not obstructed. Normally I'd tell you to look in the hose first but if you've already tried that the issue has to be with the vacuum itself.

Yes, I built my own pool. Feel free to email me at romansone16@gmail.com and I will send you my list of do's and don'ts.

Well first of all what type of "kit" are you referring to? I built my own pool from a kit that I bought on ebay. It worked out that I got a great deal because hurricane katrina ruined the pool market in florida and several pool mfg. were trying to move product. Over all I think you can do ok with a kit if you really do your research. For example know ahead of time the components that you want and price them individually. Then you have a point of reference for what stuff should cost. If you are referring to the fiberglass drop in kits I have not heard very favorable things about them. If you want advice and suggestions you can email me at romansone16@gmail.com and I'd be happy to walk you through my experience and share some things I learned.

If you have any high branches around the pool string fishing wire between. The wire is not seen by people (usually) but is very unnerving to the bird. They will not come anywhere near the line.

Hi, I am in the process of replumbing part of my returns (long story). My question is: Is there a rule of thumb about how much schedule 80 you should use coming out of your heater? I had 3' of schedule 80 and then from there was schedule 40, but do I need that much? Thanks Frank

When I built my pool I used both. Both have plusses and minuses. Flex Pros - can be handy to use on the bottom drain (if you do one) - More flexible (pardon the play on words) in some areas where you have a number of bends Cons - Costs a good bit more $ - Looks sloppy when used around the pump and filter. I actually plumbed my pump, filter, heater (except for sch. 80 coming out of heater) and it looked sloppy. I ripped it all out and replumbed using rigid. Rigid Pros - less expensive - sturdier over time Cons - less flexible for areas where you have bends. - Potential for head loss due to too many 45s and 90s. I think the debate about glue is really anecdotal - a lot of it is how good of a job you do cleaning and priming and seating the initial install. OK I said I like both for different purposes...EVERYONE can pile on me and burn me as a heretic! At least its something everybody can agree on.

Lets see where to start....First off the inground cleaning systems are not good. Unless you have a great deal of money and patience. They are prone to problems and when something goes wrong it is time consuming and expensive. The deck surface. I like a maintance free surface so I like stamped concrete. Coping is a matter of preference I think. You may want to look into a safety cover. It is an electronic cover that is built into the coping and opens and closes with the turn of a key. They are great and reduce chemical consumption. I think most prefer a cartridge filter. There are plusses and minuses to all systems but that seems to be the ones that people prefer these days. I built my own pool. You can email me romansone16@gmail.com. I can share photos, stories, tips, tricks and funny stories.

First thing as others have indicated is get water in there ASAP. You mention a liner - liners will only stretch once and if it has shrunk up you are going to have SERIOUS problems. Get to know about pool chemistry. This is a good reference http://www.wikihow.com/Properly-Maintain-S...Water-Chemistry. A pool with bad chemistry will never get clear. I would fill it, shock it, put in algaecide. Then get a product called First Aid for Pools. It will settle all the debris and junk to settle to the bottom. Then Vaccuum all of that stuff to waste. Then you've got a good start. If need be they make a contraption that attaches to your garden hose that works as a vaccuum for solids.

A friend of mine is thinking of refurbishing his pool. It was built in the 60s and has conrete block walls. The coping is clad aluminum attached to a board. He wants to rip out the old coping, put in new bullnose coping. Rip out the concrete deck around the pool, put in an additional skimmer. I built my own pool 3 years ago (inground 16x32 w/8 ft. deep end) so I am not entirely "unhandy", but this is a different ballgame. I have no idea what it would be like to cut into that block. Anyone ever attempted anything like this on their own? I told him I would help him anyway I can but this is a HUGE unknown to me. Any advice? Anyone know of any resources to evaluate this kind of job?

Is this offending child? Thanks imageshack!