Yes, salt water pools do freeze, but at slightly lower temperatures than fresh water (around 28-32°F vs 32°F). The salt content provides minimal freeze protection, so proper winterization is still essential.
A properly winterized pool can stay closed for 6-8 months safely, while emergency closures should be limited to 2-4 weeks maximum. Beyond these timeframes, water chemistry deterioration and equipment damage risks increase significantly.
Clear cloudy pool water by testing and balancing your chemistry first, then shock with liquid chlorine to 3x your CYA level and run your filter 24/7 until the water clears completely.
Yes, you can shock your pool after adding calcium hardness increaser. Wait 2-4 hours for the calcium to fully circulate and dissolve before adding shock to prevent chemical interactions and ensure even distribution.
Yes, you absolutely need proper alkalinity in your pool water. Alkalinity acts as a pH buffer, preventing rapid pH swings and maintaining water balance for swimmer comfort and equipment protection.
Your pool pump isn't working properly if you notice weak water flow, unusual noises, air bubbles in return lines, high pressure readings, or the pump running but not circulating water.
To lower pool chlorine levels, stop adding chlorine and let it naturally dissipate over 24-48 hours, or speed up the process using UV exposure, adding fresh water, or using sodium thiosulfate neutralizer.
Cloudy pool water doesn't necessarily mean algae - it can be caused by poor filtration, chemical imbalances, or early algae growth. Proper testing and diagnosis will reveal the true cause.
Yes, you absolutely need to clean your pool before closing it for winter. Proper cleaning prevents algae growth, equipment damage, and costly spring reopening issues.
Yes, you absolutely need to wash pool filter sand before installation. New sand contains dust, debris, and fine particles that will cloud your pool water if not properly cleaned first.
Most pool chemicals take 2-8 hours to fully circulate and settle, depending on the type of chemical and your pump runtime. Always wait before retesting water levels.
Used pool filter sand can be used in gardens after thorough cleaning and testing, but it may contain chlorine residue and accumulated contaminants that could affect plant growth.
You can close a green pool, but it's not recommended as algae will worsen over winter. Either treat the algae with SLAM method before closing, or use extra winterizing chemicals and accept potential spring cleanup issues.
Changing pool filter sand involves shutting off equipment, removing the multiport valve, carefully extracting old sand, and adding new #20 silica sand in layers while avoiding damage to laterals.
Yes, you can vacuum your pool after adding salt, but timing matters. Wait 24-48 hours for salt to fully dissolve and circulate before vacuuming to avoid equipment damage and ensure proper distribution.
