Results for "equipment decision"

Heaters Easy 30 minutes 265 👍 0

Do You Need Pool Heating in Orlando in April? Temperature Guide

Woke up this morning realizing our pool party is this weekend and I have no idea if April water temps in Orlando will freeze our guests out without heating. What are typical pool temperatures in April without a heater? Is it warm enough to swim comfortably or should I budget for heating equipment?…more

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Salt Water Medium 5-10 days with mail-in service 189 👍 0

Can Pool Salt Cells Be Rebuilt? Complete Repair Guide

Woke up to a dead salt cell again — thing works flawlessly when it's under 85 degrees but won't generate a drop of chlorine once we hit the 90s. A local pool tech mentioned that these cells can sometimes be rebuilt by replacing the internal titanium plates, which would cost significantly less than buying a brand new unit.

I'm worried about whether a rebuilt cell would be as reliable and safe for my kids as a new one. The housing on our current cell looks fine, no cracks or damage that I can see. Has anyone had experience with rebuilding salt cells? I want to make sure we're not compromising water quality or safety just to save money. What should I consider before deciding between rebuilding versus replacing entirely?…more

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Maintenance Medium 30 minutes 151 👍 0

Do I Need to Shock My Pool Weekly? Complete Frequency Guide

According to my test strips, my pool's chlorine levels are doing something bizarre — dropping to zero right after shocking, then spiking without me adding anything. My pool store guy says I should shock every week no matter what, but that seems like overkill (and expensive!). My neighbor says he only shocks when there's a problem.

I've got a pretty standard setup and we use the pool regularly but not crazy amounts. The water looks fine most of the time. Am I supposed to be shocking weekly or can I get away with less? What actually determines when you need to shock?…more

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Best Robotic Pool Cleaners

4.6 (28,500 reviews)

Maintenance Easy 45 minutes 134 👍 0

Can You Shock a Pool During the Day? Complete Guide

Around midnight my pool water went from crystal clear to that nasty cloudy green mess, and the pool store insists I have to wait until evening to shock it. I've been shocking my pool during the day when I have time, but it seems like I'm going through way more chemicals than I should be.

Is there a better time to shock that would make my chemicals last longer? I'm trying to cut down on pool maintenance costs and do more of this myself instead of paying the pool guys every month.…more

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Salt Water Medium 4-6 hours initial setup 134 👍 0

Can Above Ground Pools Be Salt Water? Complete Guide 2024

Tried following my pool manual that says above ground pools can't handle salt water systems, but keep seeing people online who've successfully converted theirs. What equipment do I need and are there any compatibility issues I should know about? Also heard something about different chemical levels for salt pools - is that true?…more

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Above Ground Medium 30 minutes 133 👍 0

Do All Pools Need Liners? Pool Types and Liner Requirements

During my pool consultation, three different contractors gave me completely opposite answers about needing a liner, and now I'm wondering if someone's trying to upsell me.

I'm considering several options including above-ground pools, concrete inground pools, fiberglass shells, and even looked into natural swimming pools. Some contractors are telling me that every pool needs a liner, while others say certain types don't require them at all. I want to make sure I understand the liner requirements before making my final decision, especially since this affects both the initial cost and long-term maintenance.

Can someone break down which specific pool types actually need liners versus which ones can function without traditional vinyl liners? I'd appreciate any insight into how the construction material affects liner requirements.…more

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Filters Medium 45 minutes 130 👍 0

Can a Pool Sand Filter Be Too Big? Sizing Problems Explained

During our weekly pool maintenance routine, my husband casually mentioned that our 15,000 gallon inground pool's water has looked consistently cloudy despite my best filtration efforts, and now I can't stop obsessing over what's wrong. The water isn't cloudy exactly, but it lacks that crystal-clear sparkle and seems to have a slight haze that won't go away. My chemical levels are all in range - chlorine at 2.5 ppm, pH 7.4, alkalinity 110 ppm, and I've shocked multiple times with no improvement.

I recently upgraded to a larger 24-inch sand filter thinking bigger would be better, but I'm starting to wonder if I made a mistake. My pump runs at about 45 GPM, and I've noticed that when I backwash, the water doesn't seem to flow very forcefully compared to my old smaller filter. Could the filter actually be too large for my system? I've heard that oversized filters can cause problems, but I'm not sure how to tell if that's what's happening here.…more

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Above Ground Medium 4-6 hours initial setup, monthly maintenance 124 👍 0

Can You Leave Above Ground Pool Up All Year? Winter Guide

Halfway through winter prep I've tried partial winterization, full chemical shutdown, and running it with a heater — but I'm still getting conflicting advice about leaving my above ground pool up year-round.

Is it actually possible to leave my above ground pool up through winter and do the winterization myself? What really needs to be done to prevent damage, and can I skip some of these expensive add-ons they keep pushing? I'd rather invest time than keep throwing money at the pool store every season.…more

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Equipment Easy 30 minutes 121 👍 0

Does Walmart Have Pool Vacuums? Complete Buying Guide 2024

Our neighbor casually mentioned that we're the only house on the block still manually cleaning our 18,000-gallon inground pool and now I'm wondering if Walmart carries decent pool vacuums. I've been manually cleaning with a net and brush, but with two kids jumping in constantly, the debris builds up faster than I can keep up with. I'm hoping to find something more efficient.

Does Walmart actually stock pool vacuums in their stores, or do I need to order online? I'm curious about what types they carry - I've seen manual ones that attach to the skimmer, automatic suction models, and those fancy robotic ones. My local pool store quoted me $400+ for a decent automatic vacuum, so I'm hoping Walmart might have more budget-friendly options. Also wondering if their selection changes seasonally since we're heading into spring pool opening season.…more

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Winterizing Easy 45 minutes 119 👍 0

Do I Need Pool Antifreeze? Complete Winterizing Guide

According to my old above-ground pool routine I never needed antifreeze, but now I'm questioning everything with this inground setup. My neighbor swears by it but another friend says it's totally unnecessary. I live in an area where we definitely get below freezing temps, but I'm not sure if my equipment can be completely drained or not.

What are the situations where pool antifreeze is actually needed? And if I do need it, does it matter what type I buy? Don't want to mess this up and end up with burst pipes come spring!…more

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Heaters Medium 2-3 hours research and planning 118 👍 0

Do You Need a Pool Heater? Complete Decision Guide 2024

Every winter since moving into this house with a pool, I'm stuck watching this expensive water feature sit completely useless for months due to freezing temperatures. I live somewhere that gets cold winters and even the summers aren't always warm enough to make the water comfortable. Right now I can only really use it for like 3-4 months when it's hot outside.

I keep going back and forth on whether to buy a heater or just accept that I have a very seasonal pool. What temperature should pool water actually be for comfortable swimming? And is it worth the investment if I want to use my pool more than just peak summer months?…more

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Best Pool Covers

4.5 (11,300 reviews)

Above Ground Medium 4-6 hours for winterization 118 👍 0

Can You Leave Above Ground Pool in Winter? Complete Guide

The frost is creeping up the sides of my above ground pool right now and I'm staring at it wondering if I should tear this whole thing down or just leave it up all winter. I live in an area that gets pretty cold with some snow, and I'm not sure if my pool can handle it or if I'm just asking for a disaster come spring.

I've got one of those steel frame pools, not the super cheap inflatable kind. What do I need to do to winterize it properly? Or should I just bite the bullet and take it down? Really hoping someone can save me from hours of disassembly work!…more

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Pump Problems Medium 2-3 hours for assessment and calculations 118 👍 0

Do I Need a Bigger Pool Pump? Complete Sizing Guide 2024

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 117 👍 0

Should You Cover Your Pool When It Rains? Expert Guide

Last month I was just confused about whether to cover our pool during light drizzles, but now with severe storms hitting and kids wanting to swim I'm completely panicking.

Does rainwater make the pool unsafe or dirty for swimming? I've heard mixed things about whether rain is good or bad for pool water quality.

My main concerns are debris getting in the water and whether the rain throws off the chemical balance in a way that could be harmful to my children. Should I be rushing to put the cover on every time storm clouds roll in, or is it actually okay to leave it uncovered?…more

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Water Chemistry Easy 5 minutes 116 👍 0

How Is Pool Chlorine Made? Complete Manufacturing Guide

Always assumed pool chlorine was just bleach in a fancy package until my chemistry teacher neighbor said it's actually manufactured completely differently. Now I'm curious — what exactly goes into making pool chlorine and is there really a difference between the cheap and expensive stuff?…more

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