Results for "cleaning time"

Maintenance Easy 15 minutes 399 👍 1

When Are Pools Open in Las Vegas? Year-Round Pool Season

My Vegas hotel's pool is supposedly "closed for winter" but I'm literally watching guests splash around in 70-degree weather right now. Do most hotels and resorts close pools during winter months like other places? Or does the desert climate keep them running all year?

Looking at both resort pools and maybe some residential options. Want to know if there's a specific season or if it's pretty much always pool weather out there.…more

Read answer

Filters Medium 4-6 hours 255 👍 0

Can You Reuse Pool Filter Sand? Cleaning vs Replacement

Halfway through another messy backwashing session with my gunky 3-year-old sand filter, I'm trying to decide between cleaning it again or just replacing the sand entirely. The sand looks pretty gunky when I backwash, but replacement sand isn't cheap. I've heard some people say you can rinse it thoroughly and reuse it, while others insist fresh sand is the only way to go. What's the real deal here? I don't mind doing the work myself if it'll save some money, but I also don't want to compromise my water quality.…more

Read answer

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

Read answer

Product Ranking 8 compared

Best Pool Chemical Starter Kits

4.5 (18,700 reviews)

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

Read answer

Water Chemistry Easy 15 minutes 214 👍 0

Can I Use Pool Chlorine Tablets in My Toilet? Safety Guide

Standing in my garage with a bucket of leftover trichlor tablets from last season and wondering if these can pull double duty as toilet bowl cleaners. My thinking is that chlorine is chlorine, right? I've seen those blue toilet bowl tablets that slowly dissolve and keep things clean, so I figured maybe I could just drop one of my 3-inch pool tablets in the tank to do the same thing.

Before I try this, I want to make sure it's actually safe for my plumbing and won't cause any problems. Are pool chlorine tablets too strong for toilet use? I don't want to damage my pipes or create any health hazards, but it seems like it could be a good way to use up these extra tablets instead of letting them go to waste.…more

Read answer

Pump Problems Medium 15-30 minutes 211 👍 0

How to Reset Pentair Variable Speed Pool Pump - Complete Guide

Pulled into my driveway after work and realized our Pentair variable speed pump is throwing constant error messages with Saturday's pool party just days away. It keeps throwing error codes and the speeds seem all wonky - like it's not responding to the programmed settings at all. I've tried adjusting the speed programs but nothing seems to stick.

I'm hoping a good reset might fix this mess before I have to call a tech out. I know there's got to be a way to do a complete system reset on these things, but I want to make sure I do it right. What's the proper procedure to fully reset one of these pumps and get it back to working normally?…more

Read answer

Salt Water Medium 10 minutes 201 👍 0

How Pool Salt Cells Work: Electrolysis Process Explained

I tried figuring out how my neighbor's salt cell creates perfect chlorinated water while mine struggles, but I'm completely lost on how salt actually becomes chlorine.
Like, I get that I add salt to the pool and somehow it becomes chlorine, but what's the actual process happening in there?

Is it some kind of chemical reaction or what? And why does my pH always seem to creep up when the salt cell is running - is that related to whatever's going on inside the cell too?…more

Read answer

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

Read answer

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

Read answer

Filters Medium 2-3 hours for treatment process 186 👍 0

Can Pool Filter Sand Be Used in Garden? Complete Guide

I got stuck with 200 pounds of nasty used pool filter sand that the previous owner left behind when I moved in. Been in my filter for 3 years. Wondering if I can dump this in my vegetable garden or if the chlorine and other pool chemicals make it unsafe for plants. Anyone know if there's a way to clean it first or should I just toss it?…more

Read answer

Water Chemistry Medium 45 minutes 185 👍 0

Can Pool Chlorine Clean Concrete? Safe Methods & Alternatives

Between the humidity and recent rain, my concrete pool deck started showing these nasty green algae stains last week and now I'm wondering if pool chlorine can clean them off. My concrete pool deck is absolutely filthy with algae stains and dirt buildup, and nothing seems to work. I've scrubbed until my arms hurt and tried different cleaners, but these green stains just won't budge.

I have tons of pool chlorine sitting around and I'm wondering if I can use that to blast these concrete stains away? I don't want to damage the surface or create some kind of chemical disaster, but I'm running out of options. If chlorine works, what's the right way to dilute it? And honestly, are there better alternatives that might actually get this mess clean without all the guesswork?…more

Read answer

Product Ranking 8 compared

Best Pool Heaters

4.4 (8,900 reviews)

Salt Water Medium 45 minutes 177 👍 0

How to Know If Your Pool Salt Cell Is Bad - 7 Warning Signs

Opened up my new place's pool equipment for the first time and this salt cell has crusty white buildup everywhere while chlorine levels keep tanking.

What are the telltale signs that a salt cell is actually failing? I don't want to replace it unnecessarily, but I also don't want to keep throwing money at chemicals if the real problem is a dead cell. Are there specific things I should check or test to know for sure?…more

Read answer

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

Read answer

Maintenance Medium Planning phase - 1 hour assessment 173 👍 0

How Long Can a Pool Be Empty? Safe Duration & Risks

Replaced my old above-ground pool with this inground concrete setup that needs major repairs, but I've never dealt with draining one before and I'm worried about structural damage. The pool will be without water for potentially several weeks while contractors complete the work.

What are the specific time limits before hydrostatic pressure becomes a concern? Are there differences in safe empty duration between inground concrete pools versus above ground pools with vinyl liners? I want to avoid any structural damage or liner issues during this extended maintenance period.…more

Read answer

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

Read answer

Loading more Q&A...

You've seen all 196 Q&A articles!