Results for "florida"

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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Winterizing Medium 4-8 hours 177 👍 0

Do I Need to Winterize My Pool? Complete Regional Guide 2024

My 20,000 gallon inground pool looked fine yesterday, but walked out this morning and spotted ice crystals forming around the edges that definitely weren't there last night. I live in central Pennsylvania where we definitely get freezing temperatures, but I'm trying to figure out the right strategy.

I've been maintaining my pool chemistry pretty well - chlorine stays around 2-3 ppm, pH is balanced at 7.4, and alkalinity is good at 100 ppm. The pool has been crystal clear all season. But now that October is here and nighttime temps are starting to drop into the 40s, I'm wondering what level of winterization is actually necessary for my climate zone.

Do I need to drain the pool, blow out all the lines, and do the full winterization process? Or are there different approaches depending on how cold it gets in my area? I want to make sure I protect my equipment and plumbing from freeze damage, but I also don't want to do more work than necessary if my climate doesn't require it.…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 Variable Speed Pool Pumps

4.5 (12,400 reviews)

Above Ground Medium 2-3 hours research and application 162 👍 0

Above Ground Pool Permit Requirements in Florida 2024

Three contractors quoted me $400 for permit fees to install an above ground pool in Florida and wondering if there's a way around needing one. Florida resident. Do I need a permit? What's the cutoff for size/depth? Don't want to deal with county issues later.…more

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Equipment Easy 15 minutes research 146 👍 0

Does Costco Sell Pool Vacuums? Complete Availability Guide

Noticed my pool's looking rough this week and planning to tackle a deep clean Saturday — what vacuum equipment should I have ready from Costco? The pool store told me I definitely need a good vacuum to keep it clean, but their prices seem pretty steep.

I'm a Costco member and was wondering if they carry pool vacuums? I'd love to save some money if possible, and I trust Costco's return policy in case I mess up and buy the wrong thing. Do they have a decent selection, or should I stick with the pool store? Any guidance from experienced pool owners would be amazing!…more

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Heaters Medium 15 minutes reading 142 👍 0

Pool Heater Lifespan in Florida: How Long They Last

Turned on my pool heater this morning and noticed those same rust spots on my 8-year-old unit are definitely getting worse. With three young kids who love to swim year-round, having consistently warm water is important for their comfort and safety.

I've been looking at both gas heaters and electric heat pump options, but I'm concerned about how Florida's climate might affect their lifespan. The humidity here is intense, and we're close enough to the coast that salt air is definitely a factor. Should I expect to replace the heater more frequently than if we lived somewhere with milder weather? I want to budget appropriately and ensure we always have reliable heating for safe, comfortable swimming conditions.…more

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Leaks Medium 2-4 hours for assessment 140 👍 0

Can Pool Leaks Cause Sinkholes? Soil Erosion Prevention

Looked at my water level gauge showing 2 inches lost per week, but my pool guy insists that's impossible with just surface evaporation. I keep telling myself it's just a small amount of water loss, but now I'm wondering if I'm being naive about what could actually happen to my property.

The thing is, I've noticed some soft spots developing in the ground around my pool area, and it's got me thinking - could all that leaking water actually wash away enough soil to create a sinkhole? I know it sounds dramatic, but I'm genuinely concerned about whether continuous water leakage could undermine my pool's foundation or create dangerous voids in my yard. Is this something that actually happens, or am I overthinking a simple repair job?…more

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Pump Problems Medium 2-4 hours for installation 128 👍 0

Do You Need a Variable Speed Pool Pump? Complete Guide 2024

Single speed pump is killing my electric bill but variable speed pumps cost $800-1500 installed. Pool guy swears it'll pay for itself in two years on energy savings alone. Sounds like a sales pitch but I keep hearing the same thing from other pool owners too. Are variable speed pumps actually worth the upgrade?…more

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Maintenance Medium 2-4 hours 128 👍 0

Do I Need to Shock My Pool in Winter? Complete Guide

Between the musty, swamp-like stench seeping through my pool cover and that weird chemical smell hitting me every time I walk by, I'm wondering if I should still be shocking it this winter.

I have a 20,000 gallon inground pool that I keep open year-round here in the Southeast, but I've heard conflicting advice about whether I need to shock as often in winter as I do in summer.

Right now my water temperature is around 55°F and my free chlorine levels have been holding steady at about 2.5 ppm. During summer I was shocking every two weeks religiously, but with the cooler temps and less usage, I'm wondering if I can scale back. Does the type of pool setup (open vs closed for winter) make a difference in shocking frequency? And should I be adjusting based on water temperature or just stick to my summer routine?…more

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Above Ground Easy 30 minutes 124 👍 0

How Long Do Above Ground Pool Pumps Last? Lifespan Guide

The weird grinding noises coming from my above ground pool pump have me worried it's dangerous - with my kids swimming daily, could this thing fail completely and hurt someone? My current setup is a 24-foot round pool (about 13,500 gallons) that gets moderate use during our 5-month swimming season. I maintain proper chemical balance with chlorine levels around 1-3 ppm and pH between 7.2-7.6.

I'm particularly interested in whether there's a significant difference in longevity between budget pumps (around $200-300) versus higher-end models ($500-800). My current pump is about 4 years old and starting to make some noise, so I'm wondering if I should be preparing for replacement soon or if it might have several more years left. What factors most affect pump lifespan - is it mainly about build quality, or does maintenance and usage patterns play a bigger role?…more

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Above Ground Easy 2-3 hours for insurance research and calls 122 👍 0

Do You Need Insurance for Above Ground Pools? Complete Guide

Nobody at my insurance company will give me a straight answer about my above ground pool coverage — they keep transferring me around like it's radioactive.

Do I actually need to notify my insurance company about adding an above ground pool? I don't want to get stuck with a claim denial later if something happens, but I also don't want my premiums to skyrocket. The pool is going to be 24 feet round and about 4 feet deep, with a deck and safety fence. Any advice on what I should expect from my insurer?…more

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Best Pool Lights

4.5 (19,800 reviews)

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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Heaters Easy 30 minutes 118 👍 0

Do I Need a Pool Heater? Complete Guide to Pool Heating

Standing in my backyard at 9 PM with my family arriving tomorrow for a pool party and this water is absolutely freezing — need to figure out if a heater is actually necessary or just expensive overkill.

I live in an area where nights get pretty cool even in summer, and my kids are always complaining the water is too cold. We can really only use the pool comfortably for a few months out of the year. The family prefers the water around 80°F, but it rarely gets that warm naturally.

Before I drop a bunch of money on equipment I might not need, when do you actually NEED a pool heater versus just wanting one? Are there any DIY heating solutions that don't cost a fortune?…more

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Heaters Medium Research and planning: 2-3 hours 115 👍 0

Do I Need a Pool Heater in Florida? Expert Analysis

Finally hit my budget limit this winter but can't justify spending $3,000+ on a pool heater when the water's dropping into the 60s — any cheaper solutions for the kids? We're in the Orlando area, and I've noticed that even though it's the 'sunshine state,' our pool water gets pretty chilly during the winter months - sometimes dropping into the 60s.

I want my children to be able to enjoy the pool year-round without shivering or getting too cold, which I worry could affect their swimming ability or even be unsafe. Do most Florida families really need pool heaters to keep the water at a comfortable temperature for kids, or is this just a luxury? I'm trying to figure out if this is a worthwhile investment for our family's safety and comfort.…more

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Heaters Easy 30 minutes 114 👍 0

Do You Need Pool Heating in Florida in October? Complete Guide

Got a 15,000-gallon pool in Central Florida and my pool store is pushing a $3,000 heater just for October swimming.

The water does feel pretty chilly in the mornings and evenings now that we're in October, but I don't want to get stuck with crazy electric bills all winter. Are there any DIY heating solutions that actually work, or do most people here really invest in proper pool heaters? What temperature should I actually be aiming for to make swimming comfortable?…more

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