Results for "pool finishes"

Above Ground Medium varies by finish type 248 👍 0

Do Concrete Pools Need Liners? Complete Guide to Finishes

Somewhere between a few tiny wet spots around my concrete pool's shallow end last month and now watching my water level drop daily, I'm wondering if I need a liner system. Unlike vinyl pools that use liner systems, concrete pools appear to use different waterproofing methods, but I want to understand the technical specifications.

What type of waterproof finish is required for concrete pools to prevent water loss and provide proper surface functionality? I'm particularly interested in understanding the different finish options available and their performance characteristics for long-term water retention.…more

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Above Ground Medium 15 minutes reading 263 👍 0

Do Pools Need Liners? Complete Guide for All Pool Types

Noticed my pool contractor is pushing a $3,000 liner upgrade during installation — is this actually necessary or just an expensive upsell? Some people say all pools need them, others say only certain types do.

What's the actual rule here? Which pools require liners and which use something else instead?…more

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Maintenance Easy 30 minutes 323 👍 1

How Long Do Inground Pools Last? Complete Lifespan Guide

Walked into three pool showrooms with my checkbook ready, but now I need the straight truth about which inground pools actually last before I commit. I'm looking at concrete, vinyl, and fiberglass pools, but each one claims theirs is superior.

I don't want to make a $50k+ decision and then have to replace or major renovate in 10 years. I'm willing to do proper maintenance myself to save on service costs, but I need to know realistic lifespans for each type. Which pool materials actually last and which ones are just marketing hype?…more

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Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus Robotic Pool Vacuum (2026)

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Above Ground Medium 15 minutes 345 👍 0

Do Inground Pools Need Liners? Complete Guide 2026

Wondering if my pool renovation is draining my savings account because I keep second-guessing whether my inground pool actually needs a liner. My neighbor just had to replace his pool liner after like 10 years and it was a huge hassle, but my other friend says her concrete pool doesn't have a liner at all?

So which types of inground pools actually need liners and which ones don't? And if I do end up with one that needs a liner, how often am I looking at replacing the thing? Trying to figure out the long-term maintenance costs before I commit to anything!…more

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Water Chemistry Medium 2-4 days for complete dissolution 3,716 👍 32

How to Dissolve Pool Stabilizer (CYA) - Complete Guide

I added granular cyanuric acid to my pool and it's just sitting on the bottom instead of dissolving. I have a 20,000 gallon inground pool and my current CYA reading is around 20 ppm - I need to get it up to about 50 ppm. I tried just broadcasting the granules directly into the pool like I do with other chemicals, but they seem to just sink to the bottom and sit there without dissolving much.

I've heard that cyanuric acid is notoriously slow to dissolve compared to other pool chemicals. What's the most effective method to get this stuff into solution? Should I be pre-dissolving it somehow, or is there a specific technique that works better? I want to make sure I'm doing this right and not wasting product or creating hot spots in my pool.…more

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Water Chemistry Easy 30 minutes 905 👍 0

Can I Swim After Adding Pool Stabilizer? Safe Wait Times

Turned my pool stabilizer into a mystery this morning - added it to my 20,000 gallon inground pool but my cyanuric acid test reads zero when everything says it should show immediately. I used the granular form and dissolved it in a bucket first before pouring it around the perimeter while the pump was running. My kids are asking when they can get back in the water, but I want to make sure it's completely safe.

I've heard different things about wait times - some people say you need to wait hours, others say it depends on the type of stabilizer you use. The granules seemed to dissolve pretty well, and I've had the circulation system running for about an hour now. What's the actual safe waiting period before we can swim again? Does it matter whether you use granular versus liquid stabilizer?…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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Salt Water Medium 45 minutes 297 👍 0

Do Saltwater Pools Need Calcium? Complete Guide to CH Levels

Tried everything I can think of, but why does my saltwater pool keep destroying my salt cell and corroding my heater elements while making the surface look rough? I've been obsessing over chlorine and pH levels, but maybe I'm missing something obvious?

A friend mentioned calcium hardness might be the culprit, but I honestly have no idea what levels saltwater pools need. I know regular pools need calcium, but does the salt system change things? And if my calcium is off, could that really be why my expensive equipment keeps failing? I'm hoping there's a simple fix here because I'm tired of replacing parts every few months.…more

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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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Above Ground Easy 15 minutes 240 👍 1

Do Fiberglass Pools Need Liners? Complete Guide

Called three different pool companies this year about whether my fiberglass pool needs a liner and got three different answers—I'm done with the confusion. With vinyl pools, I understand you need a liner that eventually needs replacement every 8-10 years. But what about fiberglass pools - do they also require some type of liner system to hold the water?

I'm specifically looking at installing a 16x32 fiberglass pool (approximately 24,000 gallons) and want to understand all the long-term maintenance requirements. The sales rep mentioned something about a gelcoat surface, but I want to make sure I'm not missing any liner costs in my budget planning. Do fiberglass pools need liners installed, or is the structure itself sufficient to contain the water without additional waterproofing materials?…more

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Maintenance Medium 2-3 hours weekly 230 👍 0

DIY Pool Maintenance: Complete Guide for Beginners 2026

My newly inherited pool reeks of harsh chemicals and has this slimy algae scum floating on top, and I'm completely clueless about where to even begin. The previous owners left me with a bunch of chemicals and equipment but no instructions. My neighbors keep telling me I need to hire a pool service, but I'm wondering if I can figure this out on my own?

I'm pretty handy with other home maintenance stuff, but pools seem like they might be more complicated? What would I actually need to learn and what tools/supplies should I have on hand? Really trying to avoid turning my beautiful pool into a green swamp this summer!…more

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Installation Medium 2-4 hours research 226 👍 0

Inground Pool Costs: Complete Installation Price Guide 2026

Apparently planning to tackle our inground pool installation this spring — what should I have budgeted and ready before contractors start calling back? Some contractors are quoting us wildly different amounts and I can't tell what's reasonable.

I know there are different types of pools - concrete, vinyl liner, and fiberglass - but I have no idea which offers the best value for a family with young children. We want something safe and durable that won't break the bank, but we also don't want to cut corners on quality when it comes to our kids' safety.

Can someone break down what I should realistically expect to spend on each type of inground pool? I just want to make sure we're budgeting appropriately and not getting taken advantage of by contractors.…more

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