Results for "pump problems"

Above Ground Medium 2-4 hours 460 👍 0

Above Ground Pool Problems: Complete Troubleshooting Guide

Our above ground pool faces the exact same maddening issues every single spring, and we're tired of getting ripped off by overpriced pool store "solutions. Between overpriced chemicals and costly service calls, I'm looking to become more self-sufficient with pool maintenance.

My pool seems to have different issues throughout the season - sometimes the water looks off, other times the pump isn't working right, and occasionally I notice problems with the liner or walls. Rather than guessing or getting upsold every time, I'd love a systematic way to figure out what's actually wrong so I can tackle these problems myself and save some money.…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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Pump Problems Easy 15 minutes 330 👍 0

How to Prime Your Pool Pump: Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Looked at my pool pump this morning and there's absolutely no water flowing through it even though it's running. The pump basket was completely dry when I opened it up, and now I'm getting no water flow when I turn it back on. I know I need to prime it somehow, but I want to make sure I do this right without damaging anything. What's the correct step-by-step process to get water flowing through the system again? I'm comfortable working with the equipment, just want to avoid any rookie mistakes.…more

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Pump Problems Easy 15 minutes 450 👍 1

Can You Run Pool Pump Without Filter? Risks & Solutions

Somewhere between my husband questioning why our pool pump is running without a filter cartridge and my growing panic, I'm wondering if I'm actually damaging something. My filter cartridge is completely clogged and I need to replace it, but my kids are asking to swim this afternoon. I'm wondering if I can just run the pump without any filter for a few hours until I can get to the pool store.

I know this probably isn't ideal, but would it cause any serious damage to the pump or create unsafe water conditions? I don't want to risk my children's safety, but I also don't want to damage our equipment if there's a way to manage this temporarily.…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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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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Water Chemistry Medium 2-4 hours 224 👍 0

Can Pool pH Be Too High? Problems & How to Lower It

Between my pool test strips screaming dangerously high pH and my kids' eyes burning like fire every swim, something's definitely not adding up here. I tested it yesterday and it's reading around 8.0, which seems higher than normal. The water also looks a bit cloudy even though I've been adding chlorine regularly.

I'm concerned about whether it's safe for the kids to keep swimming. What problems does high pH actually cause, and how can I bring it down safely? I want to make sure the water quality is good before they get back in the pool.…more

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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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Salt Water Medium 2-5 days depending on severity 388 👍 1

Do Salt Water Pools Get Algae? Prevention & Treatment Guide

Converted to salt water two seasons ago and thought algae would be a thing of the past. Woke up last Tuesday to green patches forming on the shallow end walls despite my salt cell running full blast. Starting to wonder if salt pools are really as algae-proof as everyone claims.…more

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Water Chemistry Medium 2 hours for testing and treatment 367 👍 0

Does My Pool Need Phosphate Remover? Complete Guide 2026

I tried everything to prevent algae blooms, but my pool only gets green when temperatures hit 85°F or higher—my pool store insists phosphate remover is the solution.

My pool currently has balanced pH and alkalinity, and I maintain chlorine at recommended levels. I'm wondering if phosphate removal should be a regular part of my maintenance routine, or if there are specific conditions where it becomes necessary. What's the technical perspective on when phosphate removers actually provide measurable benefits versus when they're just an additional expense?…more

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Water Chemistry Medium 2-4 hours initial treatment 341 👍 1

Can You Shock Pool With Liquid Chlorine? Complete Guide

Replaced my pool's chlorine tablets with liquid this season — planning to shock my 10,000 gallon pool Saturday, what supplies do I need ready? Have liquid chlorine on hand but not sure if it's effective for shocking or if I need granular shock instead.

How much liquid chlorine would I need to properly shock? Want to raise chlorine levels by about 10ppm.…more

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Algae Green Pool Medium 15 minutes reading, varies for application 294 👍 1

How Pool Algaecide Works: Complete Chemistry Guide 2026

I replaced three different algaecides in two months, my 20,000-gallon pool still gets green spots weekly, AND my perfect chlorine levels aren't preventing anything. I've tried copper-based and polyquat algaecides, but I'm curious about the actual chemistry behind how these products work to kill algae.

My current chlorine levels are around 2-3 ppm and pH is 7.4, but I still get green spots forming on the walls every few weeks. The pool guy says algaecides work differently than chlorine, but he couldn't explain exactly how. I'd love to understand the science behind what's happening at the cellular level when algaecide contacts algae, and whether I should be relying more on higher chlorine levels or these specialty chemicals for prevention and treatment.…more

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Algae Green Pool Medium 3-7 days 201 👍 0

Do I Need to Drain My Green Pool? Step-by-Step Solution

Despite my husband insisting our algae-covered pool "looks like a swamp that needs to be drained," I'm wondering if the pool store's costly advice is actually necessary. The local pool store is telling me I need to drain the whole thing and start fresh, which sounds incredibly expensive and wasteful. They're also trying to sell me a bunch of expensive chemicals and treatments.

I've been reading about DIY methods like the SLAM process but I'm not sure if that actually works or if I'm just wasting time. Has anyone successfully cleared a green pool without draining? I'm tired of throwing money at this problem and would love to know if there's a realistic way to fix this myself without the nuclear option of starting over.…more

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Pump Problems Easy Daily routine - 8-12 hours pump runtime 233 👍 0

Do I Need to Run My Pool Pump Every Day? Complete Guide

Three hours of constant humming from my pool pump has me wondering if that grinding undertone means I'm overworking it or not running it enough. I have a 20,000-gallon inground pool that gets moderate use from my family of four, plus occasional guests on weekends. During the summer months, I've been running the pump about 6 hours per day, but I'm noticing that my chlorine levels seem uneven throughout the pool, and I'm wondering if that's related to insufficient circulation.

I've heard conflicting advice from neighbors - some say 4-6 hours is plenty, while others insist on 12+ hours daily. My pool store recommended 8 hours minimum, but I want to make sure I'm not under-filtering while also being mindful of electricity costs. Does the runtime need to change based on season, bather load, or pool size? What's the sweet spot for maintaining crystal clear water without over-running the system?…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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