Results for "may"

Heaters Easy 30 minutes 255 👍 1

Do I Need Pool Heating in Orlando in May? Temperature Guide

My neighbor insists pool heating is pointless in Orlando by May, the pool store says my 18,000-gallon inground absolutely needs it, and YouTube videos are giving me completely different advice.

I've been checking the water temperature with a digital thermometer, and it's been running around 78-80°F during the day in May, which feels okay but not quite warm enough for extended swimming sessions. My family prefers the water to feel really comfortable, more like 82-84°F if possible. We're early risers and often want to use the pool around 7 AM, plus evening swims are important for our routine.

Is pool heating typically necessary in Orlando during May, or do most people find the natural temperatures comfortable enough? I'm wondering if a heater would be worth the investment to extend our daily swimming hours and make the water more inviting for the whole family.…more

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Maintenance Easy 15 minutes 695 👍 1

When Are Pools Open in Las Vegas? Year-Round Pool Season

My Vegas hotel's pool is supposedly "closed for winter" but I'm literally watching guests splash around in 70-degree weather right now. Do most hotels and resorts close pools during winter months like other places? Or does the desert climate keep them running all year?

Looking at both resort pools and maybe some residential options. Want to know if there's a specific season or if it's pretty much always pool weather out there.…more

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Maintenance Medium 2-4 hours 257 👍 1

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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Heaters Medium 2-4 hours for assessment, varies for repairs 193 👍 0

Can Pool Heaters Be Repaired? Complete Repair Guide 2026

Pulled three quotes ranging from $600-$900 to fix my 8-year-old gas pool heater that won't heat and wondering if I can DIY this myself. The pilot lights but water temp barely rises. Not sure if it's the thermostat, heat exchanger, or something else.

Is it worth getting it repaired at this age? What kind of problems can actually be fixed vs when you should just buy new? Don't want to throw money at repairs if replacement makes more sense.…more

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Water Chemistry Medium 2–6 weeks (treatment cycle duration) 26 👍 1

Do Bioactive CYA Reducers Actually Work?

During my routine water test this week, I discovered my cyanuric acid is sitting somewhere between 90 and 100 ppm — well above where it should be. Before I start tearing into a partial drain and refill (which means dealing with water costs, my local water restrictions, and rebalancing everything from scratch) — would one of those bioactive or enzyme-based CYA reducer products actually cover this situation and bring my levels down on its own?

I spotted a bottle of what looked like a bacterial/enzyme CYA reducer at the pool supply store, and the label was making some pretty bold claims about breaking down stabilizer without any draining. My pool holds about 18,000 gallons, so a drain-and-refill isn't exactly cheap or simple. The product isn't cheap either, so I want to know if it's genuinely effective before I spend the money.

Basically: does this stuff actually work the way it says it does, is it worth what they're charging for it, and realistically — how long am I looking at before I'd see results?…more

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Above Ground Medium 1-2 hours plus curing time 900 👍 0

How to Patch Pool Liners: Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Staring at my pool liner that somehow went from a tiny tear to a massive gushing hole after following a YouTube patch tutorial. I've seen those vinyl patch kits at the pool store but honestly have no idea how they work or if they actually hold up.

The hole isn't huge - maybe about the size of a quarter - but I'm worried it's going to get bigger if I don't do something soon. Do I need to drain the whole pool to patch it properly, or can I somehow fix it with water still in there? Really hoping I don't have to deal with refilling and rebalancing all my chemicals again!…more

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Heaters Medium Research and planning: 2-3 hours 223 👍 0

Do I Need a Pool Heater in Florida? What to Consider

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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Water Chemistry Easy 24 hours 447 👍 0

Can I Swim in High Alkalinity Pool? Safety & Solutions

This morning I'm standing in the pool store aisle staring at bottles of alkalinity reducer with no clue which one I actually need after my pool tested high. They're making it sound like it's dangerous to even dip a toe in the water, but I'm wondering if they're just trying to upsell me again.

Can I actually swim in my pool while the alkalinity is high, or is this a real safety issue? I'm getting tired of spending hundreds every time something is slightly off with my water chemistry. If it's not immediately dangerous, I'd rather take some time to research DIY solutions instead of buying whatever overpriced fix they're pushing this week.…more

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Maintenance Easy varies 308 👍 1

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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Above Ground Easy 30 minutes 296 👍 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 253 👍 0

Do You Need Insurance for Above Ground Pools? Complete Guide

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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Winterizing Medium 1-3 hours 247 👍 0

Can Pool Covers Be Repaired? Complete Repair Guide 2026

Finally got a chance to inspect my pool cover after last week's brutal storm, and it's completely shredded with way more damage than I originally spotted. The cover has sustained various types of damage over multiple seasons, including what appears to be small punctures, deteriorated fastening points, and compromised attachment mechanisms.

Specifically, I'm dealing with minor tears in the cover material, several broken grommets around the perimeter, and worn securing straps that no longer maintain proper tension. Before investing in a new cover system, I want to understand which of these damage types can be effectively repaired and what repair methodologies are available for different cover materials and hardware components.…more

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Cloudy Water Medium 24-72 hours 939 👍 0

Can I Swim in Cloudy Pool Water? Safety Risks Explained

I tried everything to clear my 20,000 gallon inground pool's cloudiness and about to drop $200 on chemicals — should I buy them or is it safe to swim first? The water looks like a light milky haze - you can see the bottom but it's definitely not crystal clear like it usually is. I've been maintaining chlorine levels around 2-3 ppm and pH at 7.4, but the cloudiness appeared after we had several heavy rainstorms and a pool party with about 15 people.

I'm particularly concerned about safety since we have young children who aren't strong swimmers yet. The visibility isn't terrible, but it's definitely reduced compared to normal. I've tried shocking the pool with 2 pounds of calcium hypochlorite and running the filter continuously for 24 hours, but the cloudiness persists. Should we avoid swimming until this clears up completely, or is it okay to use the pool with some basic precautions?…more

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Maintenance Easy 5 minutes 354 👍 0

Can You Swim During Your Period? Pool Safety & Hygiene Guide

Wondering why my period only seems to show up when it's scorching hot outside and I desperately want to jump in my pool? I've heard mixed things about hygiene and whether the water stays clean enough.

The pool store guy tried to sell me all these expensive "sanitizing boosters" when I mentioned having guests over, but I'm already spending way too much on chemicals as it is. Does regular chlorine actually keep things sanitary enough for swimming during menstruation? And is there any real risk to the water quality or other swimmers?…more

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Leaks Medium 2-4 hours for assessment 294 👍 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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