Results for "pool barriers"

Above Ground Medium 2-4 hours 124 👍 0

Above Ground Pool Fence Requirements & Safety Guide

Looked into several above ground pool options for our backyard and now weighing whether to install fencing or go without it. Trying to decide between a fully fenced setup versus just relying on removing the ladder for safety. Our neighborhood has some families with young kids, and I want to make sure we're doing the right thing both legally and safety-wise. What are the actual requirements and best practices here?…more

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Winterizing Medium 2-4 hours research and planning 358 👍 0

Can Pool Cover Replace Safety Fence? Legal Requirements

Apparently my pool installation has a city permit hanging in limbo, a contractor demanding expensive perimeter fencing, AND an automatic cover salesman swearing their ASTM system satisfies every legal requirement. My research indicates that automatic safety covers meeting ASTM standards provide excellent protection, but I'm uncertain about regulatory requirements.

Specifically, I need to understand if jurisdictions typically accept ASTM-compliant automatic pool covers as the primary safety barrier, or if permanent perimeter barriers like fencing remain mandatory regardless of cover installation. What are the standard legal requirements for pool safety barriers, and can covers serve as fence replacements?…more

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Pump Problems Medium 2-4 hours 170 👍 0

Can You Cover a Pool Pump to Reduce Noise? Safe Methods

Tried the same pump cover trick that worked perfectly at my old house, but this winter setup has me stumped about keeping the neighbors happy. Before I close everything down for winter, I want to figure out if there's a safe way to cover or enclose the pump to muffle the sound. I've heard mixed things about covering pumps - some people say it's fine while others warn about overheating. What's the right approach here? I don't want to damage anything, but the noise is becoming a real problem.…more

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Editor's Pick

Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus Robotic Pool Vacuum (2026)

Wall-climbing scrubber brush and Wi-Fi control — ideal for in-ground pools up to 40 ft. View on Amazon →

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Maintenance Medium 1-3 days for installation 360 👍 1

Pool Fence Requirements: Do You Need One? Safety Guide 2026

According to my contractor, I'm looking at $3,200 for pool fencing and wondering if it's actually legally required before my installation is complete.

Anyone know the actual requirements? Like how deep does a pool have to be before you need fencing, and are there specific rules about the fence height or gate types? Just want to make sure I'm following all the safety regulations and not getting hit with any surprise violations from the city!…more

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Maintenance Medium 2-8 weeks 285 👍 0

Do You Need Approval for a Pool? Permits & Requirements Guide

Planning to drop $15K+ on a 16x32 inground pool but worried about hidden permit costs and legal hoops I haven't budgeted for yet.

I've heard that most pool installations require various permits, but I'm not sure exactly what's needed or how the process works. Do I need building permits? What about electrical work permits since we'll need new wiring for the pump and lighting? Are there specific inspections that have to happen during construction?

I want to make sure I do everything by the book and stay compliant with local regulations. What's the typical approval process like, and are there any requirements I might be overlooking? I'm located in a suburban area if that makes a difference for the regulations.…more

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Maintenance Easy 1–2 hours (setup) + ongoing management 1,012 👍 54

Ducks in Your Pool? How to Keep Them Out for Good

Three straight days of rain last week apparently convinced a pair of mallards that my backyard pool is their new favorite pond. Every morning I come out and they're splashing around on the steps and leaving droppings all along the waterline and on the surrounding deck. It's pretty gross to deal with, and I'm starting to wonder whether the water itself is even safe to swim in after all that.

I've heard mixed things about those floating alligator decoys or the big plastic swan deterrents you can buy online — do those actually work, or do ducks wise up to them pretty quickly? I'd rather not spend money on something that only works for a week before they ignore it completely.

My bigger concern right now is honestly the water safety side of things. Is duck waste a real health hazard for swimmers, or am I overthinking it? And if I do need to treat the pool after a duck visit, what's the right way to do that? We have a 20,000-gallon in-ground with a salt chlorinator if that matters.…more

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Above Ground Medium 2-3 hours research and application 574 👍 14

Above Ground Pool Permit Requirements in Florida 2026

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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Maintenance Easy 45 minutes 359 👍 0

Can You Store Pool Chemicals in Garage? Safety Guide

Opened my garage door this morning and spotted my pool chemicals stacked right against my car bumper — pretty sure they weren't positioned there yesterday. New pool owner here and I'm trying to figure out where to store all these chemicals I just bought. My garage seems like the obvious choice since I have some shelving space, but I'm worried about temperature swings and whether it's actually safe. We get pretty hot summers here and the garage can get up to maybe 90-100°F on really hot days. Is this going to cause problems with chlorine tablets, shock, pH adjusters, and algaecide? Also wondering about keeping them away from other garage stuff like gas cans and lawn mower. Any advice would be really appreciated - still learning all this pool stuff!…more

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Maintenance Medium 30 minutes 335 👍 0

Can I Swim in Pool After Getting a Tattoo? Safety Guide

Every time I see that crystal-clear pool water calling my name, my week-old tattoo reminds me why I shouldn't have jumped in last weekend. I also recently got a tattoo and I'm wondering when it would be safe to take my first swim.

The pool store told me about keeping chlorine levels balanced, but they didn't mention anything about tattoos. How long should I wait before getting in? I want to make sure I don't risk any infections or mess up the healing process. Are there specific things I should check about my pool's chemical balance before swimming with a new tattoo?…more

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Winterizing Medium 2-3 hours 262 👍 0

Should I Cover My Pool Heater in Winter? Complete Guide

Our new house came with a Pentair heat pump that the previous owner left completely exposed to the elements with zero winter protection. I have a Pentair heat pump that I've been using throughout the swimming season, and I'm wondering about proper winterization procedures.

I've heard conflicting advice about whether pool heaters need to be covered during the off-season. Some neighbors with gas heaters say they just shut them down and leave them exposed, while others insist that all heaters should be covered regardless of type. My heat pump manufacturer's manual mentions winterization but isn't super clear about covering requirements.

Given our climate with snow, ice, and temperatures that can drop below freezing for extended periods, what's the best practice for protecting different types of pool heaters? Does it matter if it's a heat pump versus a gas heater, and are there specific covers or protection methods that work best for harsh winter conditions?…more

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Above Ground Medium 2-3 hours for research and planning 223 👍 0

How Far Should Pool Be From Septic Tank? Safe Distance

This weekend I mapped out the ideal location for my new above ground pool, but now I'm wondering if I positioned it too close to the septic system. I want to avoid any expensive problems down the road - don't want to damage the septic or have to move the pool later. Is there a minimum safe distance I should maintain? Also wondering if I need to get permits or have someone come out to mark the septic lines before I start digging, or if this is something I can figure out myself to save on costs.…more

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