Pool filters come in three main types: sand filters (low maintenance, 5-7 year lifespan), cartridge filters (easy cleaning, 1-2 year replacement), and DE filters (finest filtration, requires backwashing every 4-6 weeks).
Pool heaters can fail due to electrical issues, gas problems, water flow restrictions, or component failures. Most common issues like pilot light problems, low water flow, and thermostat malfunctions can be diagnosed and often fixed without professional help.
Yes, green pool water can make you sick with infections, gastrointestinal illness, and respiratory problems. The algae indicates dangerous bacteria and parasites are present, making swimming unsafe until properly treated.
A properly winterized pool can stay closed for 6-8 months safely, while emergency closures should be limited to 2-4 weeks maximum. Beyond these timeframes, water chemistry deterioration and equipment damage risks increase significantly.
Pool filter lifespan depends on the type: cartridge filters last 1-2 years, sand filters last 5-7 years, and DE filters last 8-10 years. Replace when cleaning becomes ineffective or damage occurs.
Pool algae can cause skin rashes, irritation, and other health issues through direct contact or by creating conditions that harbor harmful bacteria. The key is eliminating algae through proper SLAM treatment and maintaining balanced water chemistry.
Pool algae itself cannot kill you, but certain types like blue-green algae can cause serious illness, and algae creates slippery, dangerous swimming conditions that increase drowning risk.
Cloudy pool water can be dangerous to your health as it often indicates the presence of harmful bacteria, parasites, and contaminants. Never swim in cloudy water - clear it first using proper shock treatment.
Clear cloudy pool water by first testing and balancing your chemistry (pH 7.4-7.6, proper chlorine levels), then running your filter 24/7 while adding liquid chlorine to shock level until water clears completely.
Wait times after pool cleaning depend on the type of cleaning performed. For basic maintenance cleaning, you can swim immediately. For chemical treatments, wait 15 minutes to 24 hours depending on chemicals used.
Yes, cloudy pool water can make you sick by harboring harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites that cause infections, skin irritation, and respiratory issues. The cloudiness indicates poor water quality and inadequate sanitation.
Pool algae itself rarely causes serious illness, but swimming in algae-contaminated water can lead to skin irritation, eye infections, and respiratory issues. The real danger comes from harmful bacteria that thrive alongside algae in poorly maintained pools.
Pool stabilizer (cyanuric acid/CYA) does not evaporate from your pool water. Unlike chlorine, stabilizer remains in the water indefinitely and can only be removed through dilution, backwashing, or complete water replacement.
You typically don't need to shock if free chlorine is genuinely high, but you should test for combined chlorine (chloramines) first. High total chlorine with low free chlorine indicates you need to shock to break down chloramines.
Pool chemicals can make you sick through skin irritation, respiratory problems, and chemical burns when improperly handled or when chemical levels are imbalanced. Proper storage, handling, and water chemistry prevent most health risks.
