We’re excited to retire soon and hope to take long trips in our camper- 4 to 6 weeks. In the past, we’ve vacationed for 2 weeks, shut off the equipment and easily been able to get it back in shape. The reason for shutting it off is so skimmers don’t run so low that they suck in air. With extended trips, we’re concerned about it getting so low that it impacts the gunite and also become a mosquito breeding ground. While hiring a pool cleaning company is an option, we don’t think it’s a good option for keeping the pool full. My only idea at the moment is to hire a neighborhood kid to come in once a week to fill the pool. Maybe there is a method to use our sprinkler system or a timer on a spigot to address this. Any ideas would be appreciated. We live in Texas and primarily plan on traveling during the fall and spring so don’t think draining the pool or putting a blanket on it would be good option.
When we had a garden pond, we used an autofiller valve. Is there anything like this for pools?
Go into a local pool supply store and ask the person there what they recommend.
We’ve had two pools and both had autofill valves. They were installed in the decking, but there’s probably an aftermarket kit you can set up with a hose. Check with your local pool store or online.
We just leave a slow low stream of water running in from a garden hose and we have a service once a week
Florida here. We have a pool leveler attached to a hose from the outside nonsoftened water source. Summers here it is more likely the pool needs some draining instead of filling. We have a weekly pool service (minimum) to do chemicals and some stuff. I’m sure neighbors gone all summer also have arrangements like we do. I do not recommend leaving your pool without maintaining it. As above, check with a local pool store.
We’ve always had auto-fillers built in to the pool. I do think there may be after market-kits that could work, but make sure the solution is durable. How about asking a neighbor to top it off? Or maybe hire a kid?
Or have a pool company come check it for you for the weeks you are away. That way if there is anything else that needs to be done, chemicals, etc, they can take care of it for you.