Results for "pool-repair"

Heaters Medium 15 minutes 253 👍 1

How Do Pool Heaters Work? Complete Guide to Pool Heating

Found myself staring at a pile of pool heating equipment with my tools spread out, ready to tackle this installation but totally lost on which system actually makes sense. Gas, electric, heat pump - they all claim to do the same thing but work differently somehow.

What's the actual difference between these heater types? How does each one actually heat the water? Want to understand the mechanics before dropping cash on one.…more

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Winterizing Easy 2-3 hours for complete opening process 206 👍 1

Do I Need a Pool Opening Kit? Spring Pool Startup Guide

Called out to open my 20x40 inground pool after winter and I'm staring at nasty green water wondering if I need an opening kit. Store pushing their $80 opening kit with shock, algaecide, clarifier, etc. Makes it easy but seems pricey. Should I just buy liquid chlorine and acid separately? What's actually worth getting?…more

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Pump Problems Easy 30 minutes 415 👍 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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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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Water Chemistry Medium 45 minutes 826 👍 0

Do I Need CYA (Stabilizer) in My Pool? Complete Guide

Three months into pool season and I'm still confused about CYA levels, especially with my kids already begging to dive in.

Our pool gets full sun most of the day, and I've been using regular chlorine tablets. A neighbor mentioned something about CYA protecting chlorine from the sun, but I'm not sure if it's actually necessary or just another chemical I don't need. Will my chlorine work properly without it, and is it safe to have CYA in the water with kids swimming?…more

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Winterizing Easy 30 minutes 859 👍 0

Can You Shock Pool With Solar Cover On? Chemical Safety Guide

Last week my pool service guy told me I absolutely must remove the solar cover before shocking, but that sounds like he's just creating extra work for himself. My pool has been green for over a week now and I've already dumped what feels like half a chemistry store into it. I've been shocking it every other day but honestly I'm not sure if I'm doing it right.

I've been leaving my solar cover on when I add the shock because I figured it would help keep the chemicals from evaporating in the sun. But now I'm wondering if that's actually making things worse? Should I be taking the cover off first? And if so, how long should I wait before putting it back on? I'm willing to try anything at this point because this green monster is driving me crazy!…more

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Filters Easy N/A - System requirement 258 👍 0

Do I Need a Pool Filter? Essential Guide for Pool Owners

According to my thermometer, my pool water stays crystal clear below 75°F but turns into a cloudy mess the second we hit 80°F. My kids will be spending a lot of time in the water this summer, and I want to make sure I'm not cutting corners on anything that affects their safety.

I've been told that pool filters are a must-have, but I'm wondering if I can get by with just chemicals to keep the water clean. Are filters actually required, or is this just pool companies trying to sell more equipment? I need to know if skipping the filter would put my children at risk when they're swimming.…more

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Maintenance Easy 8-24 hours 224 👍 0

How Long After Pool Shock Can You Swim? Safety Guide

Turned my pool into a crystal-clear paradise with shock treatment and now I'm armed with test strips, ready to master the perfect timing for safe swimming. I'm worried about letting them swim too soon and want to make sure the chemical levels are completely safe.

How long should I wait before it's okay for them to swim again? I have a test kit but I'm not sure what the chlorine levels should be at before I give them the green light. I'd rather be overly cautious when it comes to their safety.…more

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Pump Problems Medium 2-3 hours for assessment and calculations 254 👍 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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Water Chemistry Easy 5 minutes 333 👍 0

Does Pool Chlorine Make You Darker? Skin Effects Explained

During my latest pool investigation, I've got my detective gear ready to figure out why my kids keep coming home darker after swim days — is chlorine actually changing their skin color? They're in the pool for hours during summer camp, and I want to make sure the chemicals aren't harming their skin or causing any unwanted changes.

Is chlorine known to darken skin, or could there be another explanation? I'm also concerned about whether the pool chemicals might be making their skin more vulnerable to other effects from being outdoors so much.…more

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Equipment Easy 15 minutes 107 👍 0

How Pool Pumps Work: Complete Guide to Pool Circulation

My pool pump has been running louder than usual lately, and I'm starting to wonder if I actually understand how this thing works. Ever since we had that power outage last month, the pump seems to be working harder but the water circulation doesn't look quite right. I can see water moving through the return jets, but I'm not really sure what's happening inside the pump itself or how it's supposed to move all that water through the filter system. Is there a simple way to understand the mechanics so I can better troubleshoot when something goes wrong?…more

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Above Ground Easy 30 minutes 378 👍 1

Can You Clean Above Ground Pool with Bleach? Complete Guide

Halfway through pool season my 24-foot round above ground pool has disgusting algae buildup, murky water, AND I'm hemorrhaging money on expensive chemicals. I noticed that regular household bleach contains sodium hypochlorite just like pool chlorine, and it's often cheaper at the grocery store.

I've been using liquid pool chlorine from the pool store, but with how much I go through during peak season, the costs really add up. My pool stays pretty balanced - typically around 7.2-7.4 pH and 1.5-3.0 ppm chlorine when I test weekly. Can I substitute regular unscented household bleach for pool chlorine to clean and sanitize my above ground pool? If so, are there any differences in dosing or effectiveness I should know about?…more

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Product Ranking 8 compared

Best Pool Covers

4.5 (11,300 reviews)

Maintenance Easy 45 minutes 268 👍 1

Do I Need a Pool Pillow for Winter? Complete Guide

Despite being on a tight budget for winter pool closing, I'm wondering if a pool pillow is actually necessary or just another expense I can skip? I've been researching proper closing procedures and keep seeing conflicting information about pool pillows (air pillows). Some sources say they're absolutely critical, while others suggest they're optional accessories.

Specifically, I need to understand whether pool pillows actually provide meaningful protection against freeze damage to pool walls and equipment. My pool is located in an area where temperatures regularly drop below freezing for extended periods during winter months. What's the technical reasoning behind using these pillows, and what risks am I facing if I skip this component of winterization?…more

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Water Chemistry Medium 30 minutes 435 👍 1

Can You Filter Pool Water to Drink? Safe Methods & Risks

Replaced my emergency water storage with a pool filtration system idea since shortages are coming — but am I about to waste money on something unsafe? My pool is about 20,000 gallons and I maintain it with standard chlorine tablets, algaecide, and pH balancers. The chlorine levels are usually around 2-3 ppm, and I add shock treatment weekly.

I've seen some advanced water filtration systems advertised that claim to remove chemicals and contaminants. Would something like reverse osmosis or activated carbon filtration be able to remove all the pool chemicals like chlorine, cyanuric acid, and other sanitizers to make it safe for drinking? I'm concerned about the health risks but need to understand if there are any reliable methods that could work in an emergency situation.…more

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Pump Problems Medium Professional installation required 1,021 👍 18

Can You Run a Pool Pump on Extension Cord? Safety Guide

After planning our pool party for this Saturday, I discovered my pump outlet is nowhere near the pool equipment pad and I'm scrambling for solutions. The pool store wants me to hire an electrician to install a dedicated circuit for my new pump, but they're quoting me over $800 just for the electrical work. That's on top of what I already spent on the pump itself!

Can I just run a heavy-duty extension cord from my garage outlet to save some money? I've got a 12-gauge outdoor cord that should handle the load. I'm trying to avoid another expensive "professional installation" if I can help it - seems like everything pool-related has to be done by a specialist these days.…more

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Maintenance Medium 1-3 days for installation 360 👍 1

Pool Fence Requirements: Do You Need One? Safety Guide 2026

According to my contractor, I'm looking at $3,200 for pool fencing and wondering if it's actually legally required before my installation is complete.

Anyone know the actual requirements? Like how deep does a pool have to be before you need fencing, and are there specific rules about the fence height or gate types? Just want to make sure I'm following all the safety regulations and not getting hit with any surprise violations from the city!…more

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