Results for "circulation problems"

Heaters Medium 2-4 hours for assessment, varies for repairs 193 👍 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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Above Ground Medium 2-4 hours 459 👍 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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Winterizing Hard 2-3 hours weekly maintenance 251 👍 0

Can I Leave My Pool Covered All Summer? Complete Guide

Halfway through summer my pool cover started developing this weird slimy buildup underneath and now I'm panicking that I've been damaging my pool this whole time. They always claim the most expensive algaecides are essential and that I can't handle maintenance myself. I'm wondering if I can just cover my pool for the entire summer season to avoid all these costs and constant maintenance headaches.

I know it sounds lazy, but I'm looking for ways to cut down on the weekly chemical balancing and cleaning routine. Would keeping it covered actually save me money in the long run, or am I setting myself up for bigger problems? I'd rather do some DIY maintenance if needed than keep getting ripped off at the pool store.…more

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Pump Problems Medium 30 minutes 687 👍 0

Can You Run Pool Pump Without Skimmer? Safe Solutions

Every pool owner seems to swear by replacement skimmer baskets, but I'm wondering if I'm about to waste money on this cracked assembly replacement? I have a 20,000 gallon inground pool with both a main drain and skimmer line feeding into the pump. The skimmer is currently letting air into the system and causing the pump to lose prime intermittently.

I'm wondering if I can temporarily close off the skimmer line completely and just run the pump using suction from the main drain until I can fix the skimmer properly. Will this provide adequate circulation for my pool size, and are there any risks I should be aware of? I'm concerned about whether the main drain alone can handle all the filtration needs and if this might cause any damage to my pump or affect water quality during this temporary period.…more

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Filters Medium 1-3 hours 467 👍 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 223 👍 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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Salt Water Medium 2-5 days depending on severity 387 👍 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 2-4 hours initial treatment 340 👍 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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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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Equipment Easy 15 minutes 223 👍 0

Do I Need a Pool Skimmer? Essential Equipment Guide

Spent the morning staring at my new pool setup and realized I can't tell which equipment is actually essential versus just expensive extras. The skimmer seems like it would be helpful for picking up leaves and stuff, but I'm wondering if it's something I actually NEED or if I could get by without one to save some money.

I keep seeing them mentioned everywhere but nobody really explains if they're required or just recommended. Are there any safety issues or code requirements I should know about? Just want to make sure I'm not skipping something important that'll cause problems later!…more

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Algae Green Pool Medium 30 minutes 397 👍 0

Do Pool Covers Cause Algae? Prevention & Solutions Guide

Last month I moved into a house and discovered the previous owner's pool cover routine left me with constant algae blooms despite maintaining proper chlorine levels. I've been dumping shock and algaecide like crazy, but it keeps happening whenever I cover the pool.

Is the cover actually causing this algae growth? I thought covers were supposed to help keep pools clean, but mine seems to be doing the opposite. What am I missing here? There has to be a way to use a cover without turning my pool into a green swamp every week.…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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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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Heaters Medium 45 minutes 185 👍 0

Can Pool Heater Run Without Pump? Safety & Equipment Guide

Last night at 11 PM I discovered my 2019 Pentair natural gas heater still running on my 20,000 gallon pool with the circulation pump off for maintenance. The heater seemed to be firing normally, but obviously no water was moving through the system. I quickly shut it down, but now I'm wondering if I could have damaged something. Is it ever safe to operate a pool heater without the pump running, or should these systems always work together?…more

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Equipment Medium 30 minutes 184 👍 1

Can You Run Pool Pump 24/7? Winter Operation Guide

I spent all winter listening to this relentless humming from my pool pump running 24/7, and now I'm second-guessing whether constant operation during cold months is safe. I've heard mixed advice - some say it prevents freezing and keeps water circulating, while others warn about equipment wear and high electricity costs. My pool sits unused from November through March, so I'm trying to figure out the best approach for pump runtime during this period. What's the right balance between protecting my equipment and not wasting energy?…more

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