Results for "filter cleaning"

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

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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

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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

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Best Pool Heaters

4.4 (8,900 reviews)

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

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Filters Medium 4-6 hours 193 👍 0

Can You Shock Pool Without Running Filter? Safe Method

Spent years shocking my old above-ground pool without running the filter and it worked perfectly, but now I'm questioning if it's actually safe for this new setup. I need to shock my pool but I'm wondering if I absolutely have to have the filter system running while I do it? The pool store mentioned something about circulation being important, but they weren't super clear about whether that meant the filter specifically or just water movement in general.

I'm trying to figure out if there's a safe way to shock the pool even if my filter isn't running - maybe by brushing or using the return jets? Any guidance would be really appreciated since I don't want to mess this up!…more

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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

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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

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Filters Medium 2-3 hours over multiple days 176 👍 0

Can You Use Pool Filter Sand in Your Garden? Complete Guide

During this morning's pool filter sand swap, I spotted this massive pile of perfectly good sand that I'm about to dump in the trash. The pool store told me it's just silica sand, but I'm worried about chemicals and chlorine that might still be in it from filtering pool water.

I've heard that sand can help with drainage in heavy clay soil, which I definitely have in my backyard. But I want to make sure I won't harm my plants or vegetables if I use the old filter sand. Do I need to clean it first or test it somehow? Any advice from experienced pool owners would be really helpful!…more

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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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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

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Maintenance Easy varies 170 👍 0

Do You Need a License to Clean Pools? Requirements by State

Somewhere in the paperwork mess the previous owner left behind, I discovered they were running an unlicensed pool cleaning business right out of this house. But I'm completely lost on the legal side of things and don't want to get shut down before I even start.

Do I need some kind of special license just to clean pools? What about when I'm adding chemicals or fixing pumps and filters? I've heard different things from different people and I'm getting conflicting information about business permits too. Really hoping someone can break down what's actually required because I'm ready to make this career change happen!…more

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Best Pool Filters

4.5 (15,600 reviews)

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 Easy 10 minutes 158 👍 0

How to Backwash Pool Filter - Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Apparently my pool filter started shooting dirty water back into the pool during what I thought was a normal backwash cycle yesterday.

The pool store told me I need to backwash my filter regularly, but I'm honestly not sure what that means or how to do it properly.

I see there's a multiport valve on my filter system with different settings like BACKWASH, RINSE, and FILTER, but I don't want to mess anything up by doing it wrong. Can someone walk me through the exact steps? Like do I turn the pump off first, and how long am I supposed to run it in each mode?…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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Pump Problems Easy 30 minutes 153 👍 0

Do I Need to Run My Pool Pump All the Time? Runtime Guide

Three neighbors gave me three different pump runtime schedules and I'm ready to figure out the right one myself — just need to know where to start. My neighbor says he runs his 24/7 but that seems excessive (and expensive!). I've heard different things - some people say 8 hours is enough, others say you need way more.

What's the sweet spot for daily pump runtime? I want to make sure my water stays clean and properly filtered without running up a crazy electric bill. Does it depend on how much the pool gets used or other factors?…more

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