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Hello. My name is Erik Martin and I'm working on a new story for The Costco Connection (the consumer magazine for members of Costco stores) on the following topic: DIVING IN (WITHOUT TAKING A BATH): How to save money on maintaining and closing your pool this season: tips on the best supplies to switch to, routine care and upkeep practices that can prevent costly repairs, and why pool owners should learn to close a pool themselves, and how to do it, to save hundreds of dollars a year. For this story, I’m looking to interview homeowners who own and maintain their own pools. I can either conduct a phone or email interview (with the latter, you can type up responses to my questions below and email them to me if you prefer). My deadline to complete all interviews is Thursday, April 4 at 4 p.m. central time. Please contact me via this forum or at martinspiration@gmail.com to arrange an interview. To check my credentials, feel free to visit www.martinspiration.blogspot.com. QUESTIONS: Why should owners learn to do it themselves? What are the benefits to opening/closing/maintaining your own pool? In addition to saving money, are there any other advantages? What will owners need to learn, purchase and do to be able to open their own pool at the start of next season? What’s the best way to learn the proper techniques for opening/closing: hire a pro one time who can train you? Read a book? Surf the Internet/YouTube? What will owners need to learn, purchase and do to be able to close their own pool (e.g., air compressor, antifreeze, winter cover, etc.)? How much will these items cost? How much money can homeowners save a year by handling pool maintenance duties themselves (opening/closing/cleaning/maintaining) instead of hiring a professional service? Give an estimate for an average in-ground and an average above-ground pool. What are at least some of these duties that any homeowner can and should learn to do themselves? Why? Do you have any tips on the best way to save money on regular supplies (chlorinator, shock, algaecide, etc.) without sacrificing quality? Is it best to buy in large bulk quantities? Are tablets more economical than granulated chlorine? Does brand not really matter when it comes to supplies? What does matter? What are the preferred ingredients and minimum available chlorine you recommend in these supplies, so that owners know what to look for? Are there any circumstances/situations where owners should be prepared to enlist a professional for help? What is the key to having a clean, well-maintained and properly functioning pool all season long if you’re doing to do it yourself? Any other tips here? What are some good preventive maintenance recommendations you can offer pool owners so they can avoid costly repairs and ensure a long lifespan for their equipment? If you’re a pool owner, how long have you owned your pool? What kind is it (inground/above ground; what kind of liner, filter, pump/motor; dimensions/volume; etc.)? Do you hire a service (for what? How much does it cost?) or do you do it yourself (for how long? Why do you do it yourself?)? Why should pool owners consider doing their own maintenance/upkeep in your opinion? Are you a Costco member (if so, for how long?) What is your full name? What city/state do you live in? If you’re a pool maintenance professional, what are the pros/cons of pool owners performing their own maintenance? Do you recommend it in any way? Why/why not? What should owners except if they attempt to do it themselves? What are some other ways they can save money on their pool during the season—any tips? Are you a Costco member (if so, how long)? What is your full name? What city/state is your business in, and what is the full name of your business? Any other thoughts, comments, or tips you wanted to offer on this topic? Sincerely, Erik J. Martin martinspiration@gmail.com

I used the hot tub (built in, overflow fountain into pool and little fountain in the middle of hot tub) for the first time, and it took a lot of guessing to figure out how to turn jets on/fountain off, etc. Finally got that figured out but now that I am trying to return it to normal I'm having trouble. I'm not sure if all the valves are turned right, but I figured out how to get all things solved... fountain at right height, small fountain in pool on, and jets off, but when I turn the valve that way the hot tub drains really quickly. Tried turning different valves different ways to see if drain was open when that valve turned, but no matter what I tried it's still draining. When I turn it back to how it was before draining, the fountain in hot tub is at the right height, but the jets are still on and the pool fountain is off. I don't know the names of certain pipes or any of that, so what I have googled hasn't been much help, or I thought it helped but hot tub still is draining. Could get pictures if needed. Help!

I am building a new home at the moment and am putting in a pool at the same time. This will be my first time owning a pool and I am trying to understand what I should preemptively consider/buy now during this process. We have to use the pool company the builder has contracted with in order to have it done by close. Of course those prices are higher, so I am trying to get the most for my money. I know I could go with another pool builder, but honestly I don't want to deal with the hassle/mess afterwords! Here are a few questions I need help with: Is it easy to add on a wireless remote control for the pool? The one they are trying to give me has a price tag of over $2k. I've seen the eaxct same one online for about $600. Adding in a screen footer. We will not be getting a screen put over the pool at this time as we are overlooking a lake and have a nice wide open view. The pool guy has indicated that we put in the screen footer now so that its ready incase we add it in later. Thats about 1300. Is that a good price? I dont understand what is involved in this process to know otherwise. What kind of decking would you reccomend? I was just going to continue with the brick pavers we are using under the lanai as it is pretty massive in and of itself. We won't get our yard fenced in- aluminum fence per the HOA- until after close, but in order to meet code we need to have the child safety fence put up, which is about 130 linear feet in to cover our pool. Thats pretty massive to have to store around after the fence and other controls are put in. What do other people do with these massive fences when they are not in use? It was indicated on our paperwork that if we wanted our in floor cleaning system to work while we are in the spa, we will nedd to add an auxillary pump. Do I need to add this? Our spa will spill over into the swimming pool as a water effect when it is on. So it is necessary for the in floor system to be cleaning CONSTANTLY or when you are entertaining or sitting in the spa, its OK for it not to be "cleaning" I think we will want to add solar panels later to heat up the pool. Is that a complicated process of digging and tearing up pavers to do? Does anyone know of a way to "preplumb" for solar panels in the future? Sorry so many questions! I can't tell you how many times I heard during this entire process of building a home that it's better to "have it down now, instead of after you close", so the lines start to blur between was is really the truth and the eagerness to sell someone for commissions sake!

Ok a little back story. Heated the spa about 2 weeks ago. Everything worked fine and the spa heated nicely. Then last weekend put the filter pump on and the pool heater and left to do some things. When i got back home the pool wasnt warm. Go to the heater and the service AGS light is on. Turn it off to try again. Runs about 3 times and then service AGS light comes on again. I can smell gas when it comes on and starts blowing air through the vent so i know its getting gas. So i switch to spa and see if that will heat. But instead of service AGS light coming on, I'm getting the pressure switch light flashing and the heater wont kick on. Anybody have ideas? I want to try and do this myself because I can't really afford to have a technician do it. Ive done some searching but because i dont know what's what I'm not really sure what im suppose to be checking. Here's some pictures of my setup for reference and maybe you can tell me what i should check and where it is in the pictures.

Hi there, - new to this forum, but need some advice. Over the last 3 years, our spa (which is next to the inground pool and has a spillway from spa to pool), has been slowly leaking water out onto the concrete tiles which surround the spa, the spa is about 1 metre above these tiles, but the water is leaching through and a small puddle develops when the pumps to clean the pool go on, and water is pushed through the spa into the pool. I have been told by a handyman (who has tried using a sealer that he uses to waterproof showers) that there are many hairline cracks in the wall of the spa, which is probably causing the problem. I have also heard of waterproof membranes that you can buy and apply. I am fearing that the spa may have to be knocked down and built again, BUT - was just wondering if anyone else had any suggestions, as I am getting pretty desparate, and running out of ideas...... Any suggestions would be much appreciated......