Results for "fiberglass pools"

Above Ground Easy 15 minutes 240 👍 1

Do Fiberglass Pools Need Liners? Complete Guide

Called three different pool companies this year about whether my fiberglass pool needs a liner and got three different answers—I'm done with the confusion. With vinyl pools, I understand you need a liner that eventually needs replacement every 8-10 years. But what about fiberglass pools - do they also require some type of liner system to hold the water?

I'm specifically looking at installing a 16x32 fiberglass pool (approximately 24,000 gallons) and want to understand all the long-term maintenance requirements. The sales rep mentioned something about a gelcoat surface, but I want to make sure I'm not missing any liner costs in my budget planning. Do fiberglass pools need liners installed, or is the structure itself sufficient to contain the water without additional waterproofing materials?…more

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Water Chemistry Medium 45 minutes 880 👍 0

Do Fiberglass Pools Need Calcium Hardness? Complete Guide

Pool builder says my new fiberglass shell doesn't need calcium hardness adjustments like a plaster pool does. But the water test shows 150 ppm and the internet says that's too low for any pool. Who's right here — does fiberglass actually need calcium or not?…more

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Leaks Medium 2-4 hours for DIY repairs 318 👍 0

Can Fiberglass Pools Leak? Yes - Here's How to Fix It

Looked like just a minor water drop in my fiberglass pool last month but now it's become a massive leak draining faster than any evaporation. I've heard people say fiberglass pools don't leak like other types, but that can't be true, right?

I'm wondering if there are common spots where fiberglass pools develop leaks? I'm hoping this is something that can actually be fixed without having to tear the whole thing apart. Has anyone dealt with this before and found a solution that actually works?…more

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Water Chemistry Medium 45 minutes 178 👍 0

Does My Pool Need Calcium Hardness? Essential Guide

Called the pool store about my new place and they're saying my calcium hardness levels from March's water test are completely out of whack. For the past three years, I've been diligent about testing chlorine, pH, and alkalinity weekly using test strips, but I've never paid attention to calcium hardness levels. My pool store mentioned it during my last water analysis visit in March, but I honestly wasn't sure if it was just an upsell.

Recently, I've noticed some minor scaling around the waterline tiles and my pool cleaner seems to be working harder than usual. The pool is located in Phoenix, Arizona, so we deal with hard water from the tap and intense evaporation during summer months. I top off the water about twice a week during peak season. Should calcium hardness be something I'm actively managing, or is it less critical for fiberglass pools compared to plaster finishes?…more

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Above Ground Medium 30 minutes 397 👍 9

Do All Pools Need Liners? Pool Types and Liner Requirements

During my pool consultation, three different contractors gave me completely opposite answers about needing a liner, and now I'm wondering if someone's trying to upsell me.

I'm considering several options including above-ground pools, concrete inground pools, fiberglass shells, and even looked into natural swimming pools. Some contractors are telling me that every pool needs a liner, while others say certain types don't require them at all. I want to make sure I understand the liner requirements before making my final decision, especially since this affects both the initial cost and long-term maintenance.

Can someone break down which specific pool types actually need liners versus which ones can function without traditional vinyl liners? I'd appreciate any insight into how the construction material affects liner requirements.…more

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Above Ground Hard 2-3 days 476 👍 0

Can You Paint Pool Liner? Guide for Above-Ground Pools

Staring at my faded above-ground pool liner, I'm probably crazy for wondering this, but can you actually paint these things? The liner has some areas that don't look great and I was wondering if I could just paint over them to freshen things up.

Someone at the pool store mentioned that painting liners might not always work, but they weren't sure about the details. I have a vinyl liner - is that something I can paint? Or are there certain types of liners that work better for painting than others? I really don't want to mess anything up.…more

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Above Ground Medium 15 minutes 345 👍 0

Do Inground Pools Need Liners? Complete Guide 2026

Wondering if my pool renovation is draining my savings account because I keep second-guessing whether my inground pool actually needs a liner. My neighbor just had to replace his pool liner after like 10 years and it was a huge hassle, but my other friend says her concrete pool doesn't have a liner at all?

So which types of inground pools actually need liners and which ones don't? And if I do end up with one that needs a liner, how often am I looking at replacing the thing? Trying to figure out the long-term maintenance costs before I commit to anything!…more

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Maintenance Easy 30 minutes 323 👍 1

How Long Do Inground Pools Last? Complete Lifespan Guide

Walked into three pool showrooms with my checkbook ready, but now I need the straight truth about which inground pools actually last before I commit. I'm looking at concrete, vinyl, and fiberglass pools, but each one claims theirs is superior.

I don't want to make a $50k+ decision and then have to replace or major renovate in 10 years. I'm willing to do proper maintenance myself to save on service costs, but I need to know realistic lifespans for each type. Which pool materials actually last and which ones are just marketing hype?…more

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Maintenance Medium Planning phase - 1 hour assessment 603 👍 1

How Long Can a Pool Be Empty? Safe Duration & Risks

Replaced my old above-ground pool with this inground concrete setup that needs major repairs, but I've never dealt with draining one before and I'm worried about structural damage. The pool will be without water for potentially several weeks while contractors complete the work.

What are the specific time limits before hydrostatic pressure becomes a concern? Are there differences in safe empty duration between inground concrete pools versus above ground pools with vinyl liners? I want to avoid any structural damage or liner issues during this extended maintenance period.…more

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Water Chemistry Medium 45 minutes 741 👍 0

Do Pools Need Calcium? Complete Hardness Level Guide

Noticed my 15,000 gallon inground pool is still etching the plaster walls even though pH and chlorine levels are perfectly balanced. Have a plaster pool and not sure what levels to target. Also curious if vinyl and fiberglass pools need different ranges.

What happens if calcium gets too low? Will it damage my equipment or pool surface?…more

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Salt Water Medium 45 minutes 297 👍 0

Do Saltwater Pools Need Calcium? Complete Guide to CH Levels

Tried everything I can think of, but why does my saltwater pool keep destroying my salt cell and corroding my heater elements while making the surface look rough? I've been obsessing over chlorine and pH levels, but maybe I'm missing something obvious?

A friend mentioned calcium hardness might be the culprit, but I honestly have no idea what levels saltwater pools need. I know regular pools need calcium, but does the salt system change things? And if my calcium is off, could that really be why my expensive equipment keeps failing? I'm hoping there's a simple fix here because I'm tired of replacing parts every few months.…more

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Installation Medium 2-4 hours research 226 👍 0

Inground Pool Costs: Complete Installation Price Guide 2026

Apparently planning to tackle our inground pool installation this spring — what should I have budgeted and ready before contractors start calling back? Some contractors are quoting us wildly different amounts and I can't tell what's reasonable.

I know there are different types of pools - concrete, vinyl liner, and fiberglass - but I have no idea which offers the best value for a family with young children. We want something safe and durable that won't break the bank, but we also don't want to cut corners on quality when it comes to our kids' safety.

Can someone break down what I should realistically expect to spend on each type of inground pool? I just want to make sure we're budgeting appropriately and not getting taken advantage of by contractors.…more

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Water Chemistry Medium 30 minutes 218 👍 0

Does My Pool Need Calcium? Complete Hardness Guide

Water test came back saying my calcium hardness is at 120 ppm and the pool store guy looked at me like my plaster was about to dissolve. But the pool looks perfectly fine to me — no etching, no rough spots. Does calcium hardness actually matter that much or is this just a way to sell me more chemicals?…more

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Maintenance Medium 45 minutes 195 👍 0

Pool Chemistry Points System - Water Balance Made Simple

Somewhere between my pool guy insisting I need a full testing kit and six different chemicals, I'm wondering if there's actually a simpler way to balance my water. My neighbor mentioned something about key "points" in pool chemistry that are most important to focus on, but I didn't catch all the details.

What are the main chemistry points I should be tracking to keep my water balanced? I'd love to know the target ranges so I can stop guessing and actually maintain clear, safe water. Right now I'm just winging it and probably making things more complicated than they need to be!…more

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Salt Water Medium 30 minutes 298 👍 0

Do Salt Water Pools Need Chemicals? Complete Guide

Our saltwater pool area reeks of that sharp chlorine smell every morning, which seems impossible since we were told these systems are basically chemical-free.

But now I'm reading conflicting information online. The pool store told me I'd still need to buy some chemicals, but I'm confused about what exactly. I thought the salt system was supposed to handle everything? What chemicals do salt water pools actually need, and why? I want to make sure I'm taking proper care of the pool and keeping the water safe for my family.…more

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