Results for "automatic cleaning"

Equipment Easy 30 minutes 190 👍 0

Do I Need an Automatic Pool Cleaner? Complete Guide 2026

Noticed my 18,000-gallon inground pool still looks like a swamp after following every YouTube DIY cleaning tutorial for weeks. Currently managing manual vacuuming twice weekly, but considering automation to improve efficiency and reduce maintenance time commitment.

My pool experiences moderate debris load from surrounding oak trees, particularly during fall months. Weekly chemical balancing is consistent, but manual cleaning consumes approximately 90 minutes per session. Budget allows for mid-range robotic or suction-side units.

What specific factors should determine whether automatic cleaning systems provide sufficient return on investment? Looking for technical analysis of pool size thresholds, debris management capabilities, and operational cost considerations.…more

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Pool Covers Medium 30 minutes 317 👍 0

How Long Do Automatic Pool Covers Last? What to Know

Every summer when temps hit 85°F my automatic pool cover starts jamming halfway across my 16x32 rectangular pool — works perfectly all winter long. My pool is rectangular, about 16x32 feet, and I'm handy with tools so I'm planning to do the installation myself. I've been researching different brands and materials, but I can't find consistent information about how many years these systems typically last before needing major repairs or replacement. I want to factor in the long-term costs - not just the upfront purchase price. Are there specific components that wear out faster than others? I'd also like to know if there are maintenance tasks I can do myself to extend the lifespan.…more

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Winterizing Medium 2-4 hours research and planning 358 👍 0

Can Pool Cover Replace Safety Fence? Legal Requirements

Apparently my pool installation has a city permit hanging in limbo, a contractor demanding expensive perimeter fencing, AND an automatic cover salesman swearing their ASTM system satisfies every legal requirement. My research indicates that automatic safety covers meeting ASTM standards provide excellent protection, but I'm uncertain about regulatory requirements.

Specifically, I need to understand if jurisdictions typically accept ASTM-compliant automatic pool covers as the primary safety barrier, or if permanent perimeter barriers like fencing remain mandatory regardless of cover installation. What are the standard legal requirements for pool safety barriers, and can covers serve as fence replacements?…more

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Editor's Pick

Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus Robotic Pool Vacuum (2026)

Wall-climbing scrubber brush and Wi-Fi control — ideal for in-ground pools up to 40 ft. View on Amazon →

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Equipment Easy Research and purchase: 2-4 hours 152 👍 0

Do I Need a Pool Cleaner? Investment Worth Guide 2026

I got a pool cleaner sitting in my cart right now but can't shake the feeling I'm about to waste money on something I could just do myself. My neighbor swears by his robotic cleaner, but they're pretty expensive. I've got a standard rectangular inground pool with a cartridge filter system. Been maintaining it myself for about two years now, but the manual cleaning is becoming a real chore. Do I really need to buy an automatic cleaner, or am I just being lazy? What's the real difference in water quality?…more

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Equipment Easy 30 minutes 288 👍 0

Do I Need a Pool Vacuum? Complete Equipment Guide 2026

Wondering if anyone else had their manual skimming routine work perfectly on their old above-ground pool but this inground one still looks swampy? I've been trying to maintain it with just skimming and brushing, but there's always debris settling on the bottom that I can't seem to get rid of. My neighbors keep telling me I need some kind of vacuum, but I have no idea what type would actually work for my setup.

I have a medium-sized inground pool that gets a decent amount of leaves from the trees overhead, especially in fall. I'm willing to put in some manual work if it saves money, but I also don't want to be out there for hours every week. What should I be looking for in a pool vacuum, and do I really need one or are there alternatives that actually work?…more

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Above Ground Easy 30 minutes 831 👍 1

Do Intex Pools Need Chemicals? Complete Chemical Guide

Last summer when I finally set up my first Intex Easy Set (12 feet, about 2,400 gallons), I've been completely lost on what chemicals I actually need. The manual mentions using chemicals but doesn't give much detail about what's actually required.

I've been running the filter pump for a few days now, but I'm starting to see some cloudy water and what might be the beginning of algae growth on the walls. Do Intex pools really need the same chemical treatment as regular in-ground pools? What's the minimum I need to keep the water safe for my kids to swim in? I want to make sure I'm doing this right from the start.…more

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Equipment Easy 30-45 minutes 214 👍 0

How to Vacuum a Pool: Complete Step-by-Step Guide

My pool guy mentioned that I might not be vacuuming properly, and honestly, I'm starting to think he's right. I've been just dragging this vacuum head around randomly and it doesn't seem to be picking up much debris.

Can someone walk me through the actual proper technique for vacuuming? Like how do you set everything up, get it working right, and make sure you're actually cleaning effectively? I'm willing to put in the work if someone can just tell me the correct way to do this!…more

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Equipment Medium 8-24 hours wait time, 30-60 minutes vacuuming 624 👍 0

Can You Vacuum Pool After Shock? Complete Safety Guide

Last night my wife casually mentioned our 20,000 gallon inground pool still looks cloudy after yesterday's calcium hypochlorite shock treatment, and now it's all I can see. I added about 2 pounds of shock around 7 PM, and now this morning I'm wondering when it's safe to start vacuuming.

I have a lot of debris that settled to the bottom overnight, including some leaves and dirt that blew in during a storm. My test strips are showing the chlorine is still pretty high - looks like it's reading around 8-10 ppm this morning. I don't want to damage my pool equipment or create any safety issues, but I'm eager to get the pool cleaned up since we have guests coming over this weekend.

What's the recommended waiting period before I can safely vacuum? Should I wait for the chlorine to drop to a certain level first, or is there a standard timeframe I should follow regardless of the chemical readings?…more

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Pump Problems Medium 2 hours 410 👍 0

Does Variable Speed Pool Pump Need Timer? Complete Guide

Looked outside this morning and my variable speed pump is cycling on and off randomly throughout the day without any timer system programmed. My kids swim every day after school and I want to make sure the water is always properly circulated and filtered for their safety.

The pump has its own programming features, but I'm concerned about what happens if something goes wrong with the built-in controls. Would having a backup timer give me better peace of mind and help ensure the pool stays clean and safe? I just want to make sure I'm not missing anything that could affect water quality when my children are swimming.…more

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Winterizing Medium 2-4 hours 340 👍 0

Can I Open Pool Cover With Water On It? Safe Removal Guide

Finally facing spring opening and worried it's dangerous to remove my winter pool cover with all that standing water on top while my kids are constantly playing nearby? Can I just pull it off like this or do I need to get the water off first? Don't want to mess up my pool water or damage anything.…more

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Equipment Easy 30 minutes 304 👍 0

Do I Need to Vacuum My Pool? Complete Guide & Schedule

Spent more money on pool filter cartridges in the past month than I did all last season, yet debris keeps settling on my pool floor.

From a technical standpoint, what are the limitations of relying solely on filtration versus implementing a systematic vacuuming schedule? I need to understand the optimal frequency and whether this is actually necessary for maintaining proper water quality and circulation efficiency.…more

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Product Ranking 8 compared

Best Pool Lights

4.5 (19,800 reviews)

Equipment Easy 45 minutes 263 👍 0

How to Vacuum Your Pool: Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Called three pool stores asking which vacuum head to buy and got three different answers, now I'm more confused than when I started. Last time I tried, I think I messed up the connection and didn't get good suction.

What's the right order to hook everything up? And is there a technique to actually vacuuming that works better than just randomly pushing it around? I feel like I'm missing some obvious steps here!…more

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Equipment Easy 15 minutes 259 👍 0

How to Connect Pool Vacuum - Complete Setup Guide

Staring at pool vacuum options online with my credit card ready, but genuinely wondering if I'm about to blow money on something that'll actually work. Need to connect it properly but instructions are confusing. What's the right order to attach everything - the head, pole, hose? And how do I connect to the skimmer without losing suction?…more

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Winterizing Easy Research and decision: 2-3 hours 259 👍 0

Do I Need a Pool Cover? Winter Protection Requirements

Despite watching three neighbors deal with expensive freeze damage to their pools last winter, I'm still on the fence about whether my 20,000 gallon inground pool actually needs a cover. We live in a climate where temperatures drop below freezing for about 3-4 months of the year, and I currently spend a fortune on heating costs during shoulder seasons plus constantly dealing with leaves and debris that require daily skimming.

I've been going back and forth on this decision because of the upfront cost, but I'm curious about the long-term benefits. My current chemical usage seems excessive - I'm adding chlorine tablets twice weekly and shock treatment every 10 days just to maintain proper levels around 2-3 ppm. The constant debris also means my filtration system works overtime.

For those with experience, how much difference does a pool cover actually make in terms of chemical reduction, heating efficiency, and overall maintenance? Is it truly essential for winter protection in freezing climates, or more of a nice-to-have convenience feature?…more

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Pump Problems Medium 2-3 hours for assessment and calculations 255 👍 1

Do I Need a Bigger Pool Pump? Complete Sizing Guide 2026

Turned out my husband was right when he said our pool water looks like weak tea despite perfect chemical levels, and now I'm questioning if our pump is actually doing its job. My pool is about 20,000 gallons and I have no idea how long it takes for all the water to cycle through.

I want to make sure the filtration is strong enough to remove bacteria and contaminants effectively. How do I know if I need to upgrade to a more powerful pump? What should I be looking for to ensure the water is turning over frequently enough for safe swimming?…more

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