Results for "filter failure"

Pump Problems Medium 2-3 hours for replacement 346 👍 0

How Long Should a Pool Pump Last? Lifespan & Replacement Guide

Got a weird grinding noise from my pool pump last month but now it's barely pushing any water through the system!
My current pump is about 6 years old and still running fine, but I'm wondering when I should start budgeting for a replacement.

I've heard different things from pool store guys - some say 5-6 years, others say they can go way longer. Mine's been pretty reliable so far, but I'd rather not get caught off guard. Are there any warning signs I should watch for that mean it's time to start shopping around? And does it matter if I upgrade to one of those variable speed pumps everyone talks about?…more

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Filters Medium 45 minutes 339 👍 1

Can a Pool Sand Filter Be Too Big? Sizing Problems Explained

During our weekly pool maintenance routine, my husband casually mentioned that our 15,000 gallon inground pool's water has looked consistently cloudy despite my best filtration efforts, and now I can't stop obsessing over what's wrong. The water isn't cloudy exactly, but it lacks that crystal-clear sparkle and seems to have a slight haze that won't go away. My chemical levels are all in range - chlorine at 2.5 ppm, pH 7.4, alkalinity 110 ppm, and I've shocked multiple times with no improvement.

I recently upgraded to a larger 24-inch sand filter thinking bigger would be better, but I'm starting to wonder if I made a mistake. My pump runs at about 45 GPM, and I've noticed that when I backwash, the water doesn't seem to flow very forcefully compared to my old smaller filter. Could the filter actually be too large for my system? I've heard that oversized filters can cause problems, but I'm not sure how to tell if that's what's happening here.…more

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Pump Problems Easy 30 minutes 219 👍 0

Do I Need a Pool Pump and Filter? Essential Equipment Guide

Finally listened to those YouTube "experts" who swore I could run my pool without a pump and filter, and now I'm staring at a green swamp in my backyard. I'm wondering if I actually NEED both a pump AND a filter, or if this is just another way for them to drain my wallet.

I've been trying to maintain my pool on a budget and looking into DIY solutions wherever possible. But before I spend hundreds (or thousands) on this equipment, I want to know - are pumps and filters truly essential for a safe, swimmable pool? Or can I get by without one or both of these expensive pieces of equipment?…more

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Filters Medium 24-48 hours monitoring 306 👍 0

Can You Use a Pool Without a Filter? Risks & Alternatives

Power went out for three days after the storm and my pool filter has been completely off. Water still looks okay surprisingly but my neighbor says it'll turn green any minute without filtration. Can you actually maintain a pool without running the filter, even temporarily?…more

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Filters Medium 1-3 hours 468 👍 0

Can Pool Filter Pressure Be Too Low? Diagnosis & Solutions

Found out from my wife that our pool filter pressure gauge has been stuck at a weirdly low 6-7 PSI all week and now I can't stop obsessing over it. My 20,000 gallon inground pool has been running fine otherwise, but I'm wondering if this low pressure is something I should be concerned about.

I've heard people talk about high filter pressure being bad, but nobody ever mentions if pressure can be too low. The pump seems to be running, but I'm not sure if the water flow looks as strong as it used to be. Water chemistry has been balanced - chlorine at 2.5 ppm, pH at 7.4, and alkalinity at 110 ppm. Should I be worried about this low pressure reading, and what could be causing it?…more

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Above Ground Medium 8-12 hours 496 👍 0

Above Ground Pool Installation: Complete Step-by-Step Guide

I'm installing an above ground pool and need to know about site prep, what order to assemble everything, and how long this will realistically take. Don't want to mess this up.…more

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Winterizing Medium 2-3 hours 188 👍 0

Do You Need to Cover Pool Equipment? Winterizing Guide

Last winter I didn't cover anything and ended up with a cracked pump housing that cost me $400 to replace - apparently freeze damage is no joke.

This year I want to be smarter about it. I've got the usual setup - pump, heater, control panel, filter system. Do I really need to buy covers for all this equipment, or am I being paranoid? I keep reading conflicting advice online and I just want to protect my investment without going overboard on unnecessary gear.…more

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Equipment Easy 15 minutes 383 👍 0

How Long Do Pool Pumps Last? Complete Lifespan Guide

Finally, my 4-year-old pool pump is making weird noises during startup — should I repair it or start shopping for a replacement?…more

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Pump Problems Easy 30 minutes 416 👍 1

Do I Need a Pool Pump? Essential Pool Circulation Guide

I am setting up my pool and the pump seems expensive, so I am wondering whether I actually need it or if I can skip it or use something cheaper. Can a pool function without a pump at all? And what exactly does the pump do that I could not just handle manually with skimming and adding chemicals?…more

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Heaters Medium 2-4 hours for assessment, varies for repairs 194 👍 0

Can Pool Heaters Be Repaired? Complete Repair Guide 2026

Pulled three quotes ranging from $600-$900 to fix my 8-year-old gas pool heater that won't heat and wondering if I can DIY this myself. The pilot lights but water temp barely rises. Not sure if it's the thermostat, heat exchanger, or something else.

Is it worth getting it repaired at this age? What kind of problems can actually be fixed vs when you should just buy new? Don't want to throw money at repairs if replacement makes more sense.…more

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Water Chemistry Medium 15-20 minutes 279 👍 1

Hot Tub & Spa Water Care Guide: Complete Chemistry Manual 2026

Hot tub water care requires maintaining proper pH (7.4-7.6), alkalinity (80-120 ppm), and sanitizer levels while following regular testing and chemical adjustment schedules. Higher temperatures and smaller water volumes make spas more sensitive to chemical imbalances than pools.…more

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Product Ranking 8 compared

Best Robotic Pool Cleaners

4.6 (28,500 reviews)

Pump Problems Easy 15 minutes 257 👍 0

How to Tell if Your Pool Pump Isn't Working Properly

This 4-year-old pool pump is turning my once-crystal-clear water cloudy and stagnant — is it worth repairing or should I just replace the whole thing? I'm not super technical when it comes to pool equipment, so I'm not sure what warning signs I should be watching for.

What are the telltale signs that indicate my pump isn't doing its job properly? I want to catch any problems before they turn into expensive repairs or leave me with a swamp instead of a swimming pool!…more

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Winterizing Medium 4-6 hours 306 👍 0

Do I Need to Winterize My Above Ground Pool? Complete Guide

Standing at the pool store listening to this guy insist I need to drop hundreds on winterizing chemicals and equipment for my above ground pool when I'm not even convinced it's necessary.

The guy at the pool store mentioned something about winterizing when I was buying chemicals last week, but I didn't want to seem clueless so I just nodded along. I live in the Midwest where it definitely gets cold in winter - like below freezing for months. Is winterizing actually necessary for above ground pools, or is it just something people do to be extra cautious? I'm trying to figure out what I absolutely need to do versus what's just nice to have.…more

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Above Ground Easy 15 minutes 943 👍 0

How Long Do Above Ground Pools Last? Lifespan Guide 2026

Every YouTube video promised their above ground pool would last 20+ years, but now I'm drowning in conflicting lifespan advice and more confused than ever. I've been looking at steel, aluminum, and resin options and they're all pretty different price-wise.

Before I commit, I'd love to know how long each type typically lasts? Like, are we talking a few years or more like a decade? And does the material really make that big of a difference, or is it more about how well you take care of it? Don't want to cheap out now and regret it later when I'm dealing with rust or cracks!…more

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Equipment Easy 15 minutes 352 👍 0

How Long Do Pool Cleaners Last? Lifespan by Type

Called three pool stores and they're all closed — my robotic cleaner just died at 11 PM mid-cycle and I need to know how long these things should last before buying another overpriced replacement tomorrow.

I want to make a smart investment and buy something that'll actually last, but I need real numbers. What's the typical lifespan I can expect from robotic cleaners versus pressure cleaners versus suction cleaners? I'm willing to do proper maintenance myself to extend the life - just tired of throwing money away on equipment that craps out after a year.…more

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