Results for "construction-costs"

Leaks Hard 2-5 days for permanent repair 424 👍 1

Can Pool Leak Through Concrete? Yes - Here's How to Fix

Woke up this morning to find my pool water level had dropped another two inches overnight and now I'm wondering if water is somehow seeping through the concrete itself. My kids spend hours in the pool every day, and I've noticed the water level dropping more than usual lately.

I always thought concrete was completely waterproof, but now I'm wondering if that's actually true. Can pool water actually leak through the concrete shell itself? I'm worried about what this might mean for water quality and whether it's safe for the kids to keep swimming if there are structural issues with the concrete.…more

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Winterizing Medium 2-3 hours 667 👍 16

Can Pool Covers Be Recycled? Complete Disposal Guide

Opened my pool storage shed yesterday to find my cover completely shredded after years of patches, and now I'm stuck with this massive tarp I can't dispose of properly. I really don't want to just throw it in the dumpster if there's a better option - it seems like such a waste!

I called my local recycling center and they had no clue what I was talking about. The cover is one of those vinyl ones with the foam backing, so it's not like it's a single material. Does anyone know if there are places that actually take these things? I'm hoping there's some specialized facility or program I don't know about, because sending this thing to a landfill feels wrong.…more

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Leaks Medium 2-4 hours 334 👍 0

Can Pool Leak Through Hydrostatic Valve? Detection & Repair

According to my pool's behavior, the water level started dropping steadily yesterday even though nobody's been swimming, and now I'm wondering if the hydrostatic valve is leaking. The water level drops consistently even when the pool isn't in use, and I've already ruled out obvious surface leaks around the skimmers, returns, and visible plumbing.

From my understanding, hydrostatic valves are designed to prevent the pool shell from floating during high groundwater conditions, but I'm wondering if they can work in reverse - allowing pool water to escape when groundwater levels are low or if the valve mechanism fails. The water loss seems to correlate with our recent dry spell, which has me questioning whether the valve could be stuck open or damaged.

Is it technically feasible for a hydrostatic valve to cause pool water leakage, and if so, what specific failure modes should I be looking for during inspection?…more

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Winterizing Easy 20 minutes 259 👍 0

How Long Do Mesh Pool Covers Last? Complete Lifespan Guide

Pulled back my mesh pool cover this morning and noticed some wear patterns that definitely weren't there last season, making me wonder exactly how long these things are supposed to last.

What's the typical lifespan I should expect from a quality mesh cover? I've heard some last much longer than others, and I'm wondering if spending more upfront on better materials is worth it. I want something reliable that won't fail when we need it most.…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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Filters Easy 30 minutes 461 👍 1

Do I Need to Wash Pool Filter Sand? Complete Guide

After years of perfect pool maintenance, my filter sand suddenly turns cloudy and clogs up every time the temperature hits 85 degrees outside. The new sand I bought looks pretty dusty and I'm wondering if I need to clean it first before putting it in the filter system.

I'm really concerned about water quality and don't want to introduce anything harmful or make the water cloudy for the kids. Should I be washing this sand before installation, or is it ready to go straight from the bag? What's the safest approach here?…more

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Equipment Easy 15 minutes to understand 394 👍 0

How Pool Skimmers Work: Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Walked out to check my pool skimmer this morning and I'm staring at all these mysterious parts with zero clue how they work together. They keep pitching fancy skimmer upgrades and I don't even know how my current skimmer is supposed to work in the first place.

I see leaves and bugs floating on the surface and sometimes they get sucked into that rectangular opening, but other times debris just sits there. Is there something I should be doing differently, or is this normal? I'd rather understand the basics before these salespeople convince me I need to spend hundreds on upgrades.

Basically, what's the step-by-step process of how water and debris move through a skimmer system? I want to know if mine is working properly or if there's a DIY fix I can try first.…more

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Above Ground Medium 2-4 hours 300 👍 0

Can I Leave My Above Ground Pool Empty? Winter Storage Guide

The brutal freeze last winter that cracked my neighbor's liner has me questioning whether I should abandon my usual partial drain approach and go completely empty this year.

My pool has been up for three seasons now, and I've always done partial draining and winterization with chemicals, but this year I'm wondering if it would be easier to just empty it entirely.

I'm concerned about potential damage to the pool structure if I leave it empty for several months. The pool sits on leveled ground with a sand base, and we get pretty harsh winters here with freezing temperatures. I've heard conflicting advice - some people say it's fine to empty it completely, while others warn about structural issues. What are the real risks of leaving an above ground pool empty for an extended period, and would I be better off sticking with my usual winterization routine?…more

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Winterizing Medium 45 minutes 223 👍 0

Can Pool Covers Shrink? Prevention & Solutions Guide

Around three seasons ago I had the same shrinking problem with my old vinyl cover and stretching it worked fine — but this new one seems way tighter than last season. The edges don't reach as far as they used to, and I'm having to really stretch it to get it secured properly.

Is this actually a thing that happens? Can pool covers legitimately shrink over time? Mine's been through a pretty brutal summer with tons of sun, and I'll admit I probably didn't store it perfectly last winter. Just want to know if I need to accept that I'm gonna need a new cover or if there's something I could've done differently to prevent this!…more

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Algae Green Pool 89 👍 3

Why Is the Lincoln Reflecting Pool Green—and Why Not Shock It?

I saw the photos of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool gone bright green again, days after they finished a big renovation. I run my own backyard pool, and when mine goes green I shock the daylights out of it and it clears up in a couple of days. So why is the government out there pouring hydrogen peroxide and scraping algae by hand off a national monument? Why don't they just shock the thing like the rest of us do? What am I missing?…more

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