Pool opening involves removing winter covers, inspecting equipment, reconnecting plumbing, and balancing water chemistry. Start with equipment inspection, fill and reconnect systems, then shock and balance chemicals before swimming.
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.
Salt water pools use electrolysis to generate chlorine from dissolved salt, requiring proper water chemistry balance including pH, alkalinity, and CYA levels. They still need regular maintenance and chemical adjustments despite producing their own chlorine.
Pool chemical shelf life varies dramatically: liquid chlorine lasts 2-5 years, granular chlorine 2-3 years, while pH adjusters and alkalinity increasers can last indefinitely when stored properly.
Yes, you can clean above ground pools with unscented liquid household bleach (5.25-6% sodium hypochlorite), but liquid pool chlorine is more cost-effective and easier to dose.
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.
Pool stabilizer (cyanuric acid) does not go bad and has an indefinite shelf life when stored properly in a cool, dry place. However, exposure to moisture can cause clumping that affects dissolving.
Most pool chemicals have different expiration dates: liquid chlorine lasts 1-2 months, granular chlorine 1-3 years, pH adjusters 2-3 years, and alkalinity increasers indefinitely when stored properly.
You need chlorine for daily sanitation, but traditional pool shock products are optional. Liquid chlorine can serve both purposes and is often more effective than granular shock for treating pool problems.
Pool calcium chloride and calcium hardness increasers don't technically expire but lose effectiveness over time. Properly stored, they remain usable for 3-5 years, though moisture exposure reduces their potency significantly.
Pool stabilizer (cyanuric acid) doesn't technically expire when stored in a cool, dry place. However, granular stabilizer can clump and lose effectiveness when exposed to moisture, while liquid forms remain stable longer.
Pool stabilizer (cyanuric acid) doesn't technically expire, but it can lose effectiveness if exposed to moisture or extreme temperatures. Properly stored dry stabilizer can last indefinitely.
Pool chlorine tablets do expire and typically last 2-3 years when stored properly in a cool, dry place. Expired tablets lose potency and may become dangerous to handle.
Calcium hardness increaser (calcium chloride) doesn't technically expire but can lose effectiveness if exposed to moisture. Properly stored in a cool, dry place, it remains usable for many years.
