Results for "fiberglass"

Water Chemistry Easy 10 minutes 277 👍 0

How Long Do Pool Chemicals Last? Complete Shelf Life Guide

Somewhere in my garage I've got old pool chemicals from last season, but I can't afford to replace them all — is there a way to test if they're still good for under $20?

Specifically looking for technical specifications on how long liquid chlorine maintains potency versus granular forms, and whether chemicals like sodium bicarbonate and muriatic acid have definitive expiration parameters. Storage conditions are controlled temperature and humidity, so assuming optimal preservation environment.…more

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Heaters Easy 30 minutes 263 👍 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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Algae Green Pool Medium 4-6 hours 257 👍 0

Can I Shock Pool After Adding Algaecide? Complete Guide

Spent all morning watching my pool turn green with algae patches and now I'm holding bottles of algaecide and shock with no clue which to use first. But I'm not sure about the timing - can I add both in the same day? Should I put the algaecide in first, or does it matter?

Also, if I can use both, how long should I wait between adding them? Don't want to mess up my water chemistry or waste expensive chemicals by doing this wrong!…more

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Product Ranking 10 compared

Best Pool Water Test Kits

4.6 (45,200 reviews)

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

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Maintenance Medium Planning phase - 1 hour assessment 172 👍 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

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Maintenance Medium varies by task 161 👍 0

Wrong Question? Pool Maintenance Help Not Airline Miles

I found this weird cloudy film floating all over my pool surface that I can't figure out. I'm a brand new pool owner and honestly have no idea what I'm doing. My water looks cloudy and I'm not sure if my chemicals are right.

The pool store gave me a bunch of products but I'm worried I'll mess something up. Could someone point me toward a good guide for basic pool maintenance? I just want to get my water crystal clear and make sure everything is balanced properly. Any comprehensive resources for beginners would be amazing!…more

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Filters Medium 45 minutes 157 👍 0

How Long Do Pool DE Filters Last? Complete Lifespan Guide

Pulled the cover off my DE filter system today and got hit with this awful musty, stagnant smell after 18 months of running it on my 20,000-gallon pool. I've been adding fresh DE powder every few weeks after backwashing, but I'm not sure how long the actual filter grids are supposed to last before they need to be completely replaced.

Lately I've noticed that my filter cycles seem to be getting shorter - I'm having to backwash more frequently than I used to, and the water clarity isn't quite as crystal clear as it was when the system was newer. My pool gets moderate use with about 4-6 swimmers regularly, and I keep my chlorine around 2-3 ppm and pH at 7.4. Are these signs that my grids are wearing out, or is this normal aging? What's the typical lifespan I should expect from DE filter components?…more

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Water Chemistry Medium 45 minutes 157 👍 0

Do Fiberglass Pools Need Calcium Hardness? Complete Guide

Pool builder says my new fiberglass shell doesn't need calcium hardness adjustments like a plaster pool does. But the water test shows 150 ppm and the internet says that's too low for any pool. Who's right here — does fiberglass actually need calcium or not?…more

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Pump Problems Easy 30 minutes 157 👍 0

Can I Turn Pool Pump Off at Night? Complete Owner's Guide

This electric bill is destroying my budget and I can't afford to keep this pool pump running 24/7 — is it safe to shut it off nights?
The pool store told me the pump should run constantly, but my neighbor says he turns his off at night to save on electricity costs.

I'm worried about messing something up since this is all new to me. Is it actually safe to turn the pump off overnight, or will that cause problems with the water? If I can turn it off, how many hours should it still be running each day to keep everything clean and healthy?…more

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Algae Green Pool Medium 3-7 days for full treatment 154 👍 0

Can Pool Algae Cause a Rash? Health Risks & Prevention

Around noon yesterday I finished scrubbing down my pool walls but this morning there's green stuff growing back — could this algae be what's causing the rash on my arms? I've been swimming in it a few times and now I'm wondering if that could be causing the skin irritation I've been experiencing. The pool store told me it's algae and that I need to treat it, but I'm curious about the health risks.

Can pool algae actually cause rashes or other skin problems? I'm worried about my family swimming in it, and I want to understand what I'm dealing with before I start dumping chemicals in. Any guidance on how serious this is and what I should do to fix it would be really appreciated!…more

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Cloudy Water Medium 24-72 hours 153 👍 0

How to Clear Cloudy Pool Water: Complete Fix Guide 2024

Our pool turned into a cloudy mess ever since the kids' party last weekend, and now I'm worried it's not safe for them to swim. They keep asking to get in, but I don't want to risk their health if there's something wrong with the water quality.

What's the proper way to clear up cloudy pool water and make it safe again? I want to make sure I'm doing everything right - testing chemicals, shocking, filtering, whatever it takes. How do I know when the water is actually clear and safe enough for the kids to swim again?…more

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Product Ranking 8 compared

Best Above Ground Pools

4.3 (22,100 reviews)

Water Chemistry Medium 30 minutes 147 👍 0

Do Vinyl Pools Need Calcium Hardness? Complete Guide

Finally ready to pull the trigger on a vinyl liner pool but the salesperson won't stop pushing calcium hardness products — legitimate necessity or expensive upsell? Keep seeing different numbers online - some say treat it like any other pool, others say vinyl needs different levels.

What's the right calcium hardness range for vinyl pools? And is it actually different from concrete/plaster pools?…more

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Water Chemistry Easy 5 minutes 147 👍 0

Does Pool Chlorine Make You Darker? Skin Effects Explained

During my latest pool investigation, I've got my detective gear ready to figure out why my kids keep coming home darker after swim days — is chlorine actually changing their skin color? They're in the pool for hours during summer camp, and I want to make sure the chemicals aren't harming their skin or causing any unwanted changes.

Is chlorine known to darken skin, or could there be another explanation? I'm also concerned about whether the pool chemicals might be making their skin more vulnerable to other effects from being outdoors so much.…more

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Leaks Medium 2-4 hours for DIY repairs 145 👍 0

Can Fiberglass Pools Leak? Yes - Here's How to Fix It

Looked like just a minor water drop in my fiberglass pool last month but now it's become a massive leak draining faster than any evaporation. I've heard people say fiberglass pools don't leak like other types, but that can't be true, right?

I'm wondering if there are common spots where fiberglass pools develop leaks? I'm hoping this is something that can actually be fixed without having to tear the whole thing apart. Has anyone dealt with this before and found a solution that actually works?…more

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Salt Water Medium 2-3 hours for water testing and balancing 144 👍 0

Can You Use Salt in Pool Without Saltwater System?

Replaced my salt cell last month but the levels still plummet whenever it hits 85°F outside — completely stable during cooler weather though. My pool has been fighting me all season - cloudy water, constantly adjusting chemicals, and I swear I've spent more on chlorine than my mortgage payment. A neighbor mentioned that adding salt might help stabilize things and reduce the harsh chemical smell that's been burning our eyes.

Before I dump a bunch of pool salt into my regular chlorinated pool, I want to make sure I'm not about to make things worse. I don't have a saltwater chlorinator system - just the standard setup with skimmer, pump, and filter. Will adding salt actually help with anything, or am I just setting myself up for more headaches?…more

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