Results for "DE filters"

Maintenance Easy varies by season 306 👍 0

How Long Are Pools Open in Texas? Swimming Season Guide

Finally got a second opinion after my pool contractor insisted Texas pools should only stay open 6-7 months yearly, but something about losing half my investment doesn't add up. I moved to Texas thinking I'd be swimming constantly, but I'm honestly confused about when pools are actually swimmable here. Some neighbors say theirs are open March through November, others claim they swim year-round with heaters.

I've been debating whether to invest in a heating system since I'm paying for this pool either way. How long is the typical swimming season in Texas, and is it realistic to keep a pool open all year? I want to maximize my investment and actually enjoy this thing!…more

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Above Ground Easy 15 minutes 236 👍 0

How Long Do Above Ground Pools Last? Lifespan Guide 2024

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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Filters Medium 2-3 hours 223 👍 0

Pool Filter Balls vs Sand: Complete Replacement Guide

Noticed my pool filter isn't performing like it used to — can't afford professional service right now, so is switching from sand to filter balls a DIY job under $100? The pool store mentioned they might work better than traditional sand, but I want to make sure before I make the switch.

Are filter balls actually a good replacement for sand in my filter system? I'm curious about things like how well they filter compared to sand, if they're easier to work with, and whether the maintenance routine changes at all. Any guidance would be really helpful!…more

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Best Variable Speed Pool Pumps

4.5 (12,400 reviews)

Pump Problems Easy 15 minutes 200 👍 0

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 4-6 hours 193 👍 0

Can You Shock Pool Without Running Filter? Safe Method

Spent years shocking my old above-ground pool without running the filter and it worked perfectly, but now I'm questioning if it's actually safe for this new setup. I need to shock my pool but I'm wondering if I absolutely have to have the filter system running while I do it? The pool store mentioned something about circulation being important, but they weren't super clear about whether that meant the filter specifically or just water movement in general.

I'm trying to figure out if there's a safe way to shock the pool even if my filter isn't running - maybe by brushing or using the return jets? Any guidance would be really appreciated since I don't want to mess this up!…more

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Filters Medium 45 minutes 192 👍 0

Can I Clean Pool Filter With Bleach? Safe Methods Explained

Somewhere in my garage looking at this disgusting pool filter with brown sludge and nasty buildup caked all over the pleats, wondering if bleach is safe. Is this actually safe to do?

I have what I think is a cartridge filter (it's the white pleated kind), and I'm worried about damaging it or my pool equipment if I use the wrong cleaning method. The pool store told me about expensive filter cleaners, but I'm wondering if regular bleach from the grocery store would work just as well. Should I dilute it somehow, and are there any types of filters I should avoid using bleach on?…more

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Water Chemistry Easy 30 minutes 190 👍 0

Can I Add Pool Chemicals at the Same Time? Safe Mixing Guide

Spent all week prepping for Saturday's pool party and now I'm scrambling to balance the water but wondering if I can add multiple chemicals together to save time.
The pool store gave me a bunch of different chemicals but didn't really explain the timing. I want to make sure I'm not going to create some dangerous reaction or mess up my water chemistry. Should I be spacing these out somehow?…more

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Winterizing Medium 4-8 hours 177 👍 0

Do I Need to Winterize My Pool? Complete Regional Guide 2024

My 20,000 gallon inground pool looked fine yesterday, but walked out this morning and spotted ice crystals forming around the edges that definitely weren't there last night. I live in central Pennsylvania where we definitely get freezing temperatures, but I'm trying to figure out the right strategy.

I've been maintaining my pool chemistry pretty well - chlorine stays around 2-3 ppm, pH is balanced at 7.4, and alkalinity is good at 100 ppm. The pool has been crystal clear all season. But now that October is here and nighttime temps are starting to drop into the 40s, I'm wondering what level of winterization is actually necessary for my climate zone.

Do I need to drain the pool, blow out all the lines, and do the full winterization process? Or are there different approaches depending on how cold it gets in my area? I want to make sure I protect my equipment and plumbing from freeze damage, but I also don't want to do more work than necessary if my climate doesn't require it.…more

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Above Ground Medium 2-4 hours 176 👍 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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Equipment Medium 8-24 hours wait time, 30-60 minutes vacuuming 175 👍 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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Filters Easy 30 minutes 171 👍 0

How Long Do Pool Filters Last? Replacement Guide & Signs

After following my pool filter manual religiously for years, I'm baffled why it says replace every 6 months when mine still looks spotless after twelve. Have cartridge now but considering switching. How long do different filter types actually last before they need replacing? What are the signs it's time for a new one?…more

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Best Pool Lights

4.5 (19,800 reviews)

Maintenance Easy varies 170 👍 0

Do You Need a License to Clean Pools? Requirements by State

Somewhere in the paperwork mess the previous owner left behind, I discovered they were running an unlicensed pool cleaning business right out of this house. But I'm completely lost on the legal side of things and don't want to get shut down before I even start.

Do I need some kind of special license just to clean pools? What about when I'm adding chemicals or fixing pumps and filters? I've heard different things from different people and I'm getting conflicting information about business permits too. Really hoping someone can break down what's actually required because I'm ready to make this career change happen!…more

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Maintenance Medium varies by task 162 👍 0

Wrong Question? Pool Maintenance Help Not Airline Miles

I found this weird cloudy film floating all over my pool surface that I can't figure out. I'm a brand new pool owner and honestly have no idea what I'm doing. My water looks cloudy and I'm not sure if my chemicals are right.

The pool store gave me a bunch of products but I'm worried I'll mess something up. Could someone point me toward a good guide for basic pool maintenance? I just want to get my water crystal clear and make sure everything is balanced properly. Any comprehensive resources for beginners would be amazing!…more

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Filters Medium 30 minutes 162 👍 0

How Long to Run Pool Filter Daily - Complete Guide

Every pool season I feel like an idiot asking this, but I genuinely have no idea how many hours my filter should actually be running daily. My kids swim almost every day during summer, and I want to make sure the water stays clean and safe for them. I've heard different opinions - some neighbors say they run theirs 24/7, while others only run it a few hours.

I'm worried about under-filtering and having bacteria or algae grow, but I also don't want to waste electricity if it's not necessary. Our pool gets heavy use with the kids and their friends, plus we've had some really hot weather lately. What's the right balance for daily filter runtime to keep the water properly clean?…more

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Filters Easy 10 minutes 158 👍 0

How to Backwash Pool Filter - Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Apparently my pool filter started shooting dirty water back into the pool during what I thought was a normal backwash cycle yesterday.

The pool store told me I need to backwash my filter regularly, but I'm honestly not sure what that means or how to do it properly.

I see there's a multiport valve on my filter system with different settings like BACKWASH, RINSE, and FILTER, but I don't want to mess anything up by doing it wrong. Can someone walk me through the exact steps? Like do I turn the pump off first, and how long am I supposed to run it in each mode?…more

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