the love affair is over.
not only did the pool succumb to algae in mid-july (requiring hours of scrubbing, testing and chemical-measuring to conquer) but now the inflatable ring has developed a wicked and mysterious leak. i'm beyond frustrated.
we pumped up the ring last night, finally admitting this was probably going to be a job we'd have to do every day or two. but i woke up this morning to discover that the ring had become so deflated *overnight* that the pool water had started to escape over the top. we lost hundreds upon hundreds of gallons of water while we slept.
and what's so aggrivating is that we can't find the leak. we've looked. we've been 'round and 'round the pool, straining to spot the smallest flaws in the ring. we've even patched areas we *thought* might be the culprit, to no avail. and really, there's no sense in re-filling the pool until we've located the leak in the inflatable ring, and i'm starting to wonder if that's ever going to happen.
argh! right now i feel like i'm faced with the realization that we might just have to pack it in for the summer. even though i've had some spectacularly relaxing evenings in the pool, it might be time to face facts and give it up.
Posted by xta at August 4, 2006 10:04 AM | TrackBackI know someone with the very same pool and the very same problem...
they had to ditch the whole thing.
I wonder if they are only good for a year/not made to last longer.
no they are not good for only a year. they are good for only a FIFTH of a year. pisses me off! we put all this care into doing what we're supposed to do with the water, and then the container can't fuggin hold itself together thanks to the people who make it not doing whatever it is they're supposed to do. two in a row now. RIPOFF.
Posted by: ray i've had it too ubinger at August 4, 2006 01:53 PMif you want to give it one last shot, put soapy water on the ring (after pumping up) and see if it bubbles anywhere. this is how they tell you to test for leaks in gas grills and flat tires, so it should work if you have the patience to put soapy water on the whole thing.
anyway, i'm sorry it has gone so badly this year.
Posted by: lisa at August 4, 2006 04:26 PMMan, I've had pool envy from afar.........sorry to hear about it.
Posted by: Gidge at August 4, 2006 11:28 PMIsn't there another type of backyard pool that is about the same size and cost but has a metal or plastic armature that holds it up? I looked at one like that when I was thinking of buying one a year ago... it was at Target. Maybe you might try one of those? In any case, can you get a replacement or refund from the manufacturer for this one that broke so quickly?
Posted by: m at August 6, 2006 03:58 PMoh, and also, they have lots of backyard pools at Toys R Us off 15-501.
Posted by: m at August 6, 2006 03:59 PMooh, thanks for the toys'r'us tip, marie! we might investigate that...
...though I'M SO EXCITED to tell you that we think we've located the air leak! saints be praised! we patched it about an hour ago (it was a pinhole leak that had been in front of our eyes the whole time) and if it looks like the ring is retaining air i think we'll start refilling the pool in the morning.
yippee!!
Posted by: christa at August 6, 2006 05:43 PM