Results for "pressure washing"

Filters Medium 4-6 hours 255 👍 0

Can You Reuse Pool Filter Sand? Cleaning vs Replacement

Halfway through another messy backwashing session with my gunky 3-year-old sand filter, I'm trying to decide between cleaning it again or just replacing the sand entirely. The sand looks pretty gunky when I backwash, but replacement sand isn't cheap. I've heard some people say you can rinse it thoroughly and reuse it, while others insist fresh sand is the only way to go. What's the real deal here? I don't mind doing the work myself if it'll save some money, but I also don't want to compromise my water quality.…more

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Filters Medium 2-3 hours 223 👍 0

Pool Filter Balls vs Sand: Complete Replacement Guide

Noticed my pool filter isn't performing like it used to — can't afford professional service right now, so is switching from sand to filter balls a DIY job under $100? The pool store mentioned they might work better than traditional sand, but I want to make sure before I make the switch.

Are filter balls actually a good replacement for sand in my filter system? I'm curious about things like how well they filter compared to sand, if they're easier to work with, and whether the maintenance routine changes at all. Any guidance would be really helpful!…more

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Water Chemistry Medium 45 minutes 185 👍 0

Can Pool Chlorine Clean Concrete? Safe Methods & Alternatives

Between the humidity and recent rain, my concrete pool deck started showing these nasty green algae stains last week and now I'm wondering if pool chlorine can clean them off. My concrete pool deck is absolutely filthy with algae stains and dirt buildup, and nothing seems to work. I've scrubbed until my arms hurt and tried different cleaners, but these green stains just won't budge.

I have tons of pool chlorine sitting around and I'm wondering if I can use that to blast these concrete stains away? I don't want to damage the surface or create some kind of chemical disaster, but I'm running out of options. If chlorine works, what's the right way to dilute it? And honestly, are there better alternatives that might actually get this mess clean without all the guesswork?…more

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Best Above Ground Pools

4.3 (22,100 reviews)

Heaters Medium 2-4 hours 172 👍 0

Do You Need a Pool Heater Bypass? Installation Guide

Before I connect my new pool heater to the system, it's making this weird whistling sound when water flows through and now I'm wondering if a bypass valve would fix it. The manufacturer's documentation mentions bypass considerations, but I need clarity on whether this is mandatory or optional equipment.

Specifically, I'm concerned about maintaining proper flow rates through the heating unit and having the ability to isolate the heater during routine maintenance procedures. What are the technical requirements and operational benefits of incorporating a bypass valve system into the heater plumbing layout?…more

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Filters Medium 45 minutes 157 👍 0

How Long Do Pool DE Filters Last? Complete Lifespan Guide

Pulled the cover off my DE filter system today and got hit with this awful musty, stagnant smell after 18 months of running it on my 20,000-gallon pool. I've been adding fresh DE powder every few weeks after backwashing, but I'm not sure how long the actual filter grids are supposed to last before they need to be completely replaced.

Lately I've noticed that my filter cycles seem to be getting shorter - I'm having to backwash more frequently than I used to, and the water clarity isn't quite as crystal clear as it was when the system was newer. My pool gets moderate use with about 4-6 swimmers regularly, and I keep my chlorine around 2-3 ppm and pH at 7.4. Are these signs that my grids are wearing out, or is this normal aging? What's the typical lifespan I should expect from DE filter components?…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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Filters Easy 30 minutes 140 👍 0

Can You Pressure Wash Pool Filters? Safe Cleaning Guide

Between my pool party this Saturday and getting completely conflicting advice on pressure washing cartridge versus DE filters, I'm running out of time to figure this out.

My current setup includes cartridge filters, but I'm considering switching to either DE or sand filtration depending on cleaning requirements.

What are the specific limitations and recommended procedures for pressure washing each filter type? I want to ensure I'm using appropriate PSI settings and techniques to avoid damaging the filtration media while achieving optimal cleaning results.…more

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Filters Easy 15 minutes 132 👍 0

How to Tell If Your Pool Cartridge Filter Is Bad - 7 Signs

Nobody can explain why my test strips show perfect chemistry levels but my pool water looks like chocolate milk. Filter cartridge looks grayish and the pleats seem a bit beat up. Tried cleaning it but water quality isn't improving.

How do I know when it's actually time to replace the cartridge versus just needing a better cleaning? What should I be looking for?…more

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Water Chemistry Medium 15-20 minutes 113 👍 0

Hot Tub & Spa Water Care Guide: Complete Chemistry Manual 2024

Hot tub water care requires maintaining proper pH (7.4-7.6), alkalinity (80-120 ppm), and sanitizer levels while following regular testing and chemical adjustment schedules. Higher temperatures and smaller water volumes make spas more sensitive to chemical imbalances than pools.…more

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Filters Medium 2-3 hours (including soaking time) 107 👍 0

How to Deep Clean Pool Cartridge Filters - Complete Guide

Wondering which pool filter cleaning chemical will actually work as I stand here in the store aisle staring at endless bottles with my grimy cartridge filters. I understand there's a difference between routine rinsing and deep cleaning, but I want to make sure I'm following the correct protocol for thorough maintenance.

I've heard about using degreasers and acid treatments, but I need guidance on the proper sequence and methodology. What's the step-by-step process for deep cleaning cartridge filters, including how to determine when this level of cleaning is necessary versus simple hosing?…more

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Filters Easy 15 minutes 100 👍 0

How Pool Cartridge Filters Work - Complete Guide 2024

After installing my new cartridge filter, it's constantly clogged, my pool water stays cloudy, AND I'm burning through expensive replacements every few weeks. I know water goes in dirty and comes out cleaner, but what's the actual process? How does it catch all the tiny stuff floating around in there?

Also curious about how fine the filtration gets - like what's the smallest particle size these things can grab? My pool guy mentioned something about the pleated design being important but didn't really explain why.…more

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Best Variable Speed Pool Pumps

4.5 (12,400 reviews)

Filters Medium 15 minutes reading 98 👍 0

How DE Pool Filters Work: Complete Guide to Diatomaceous Earth

Three days after backwashing my DE filter, it's creating this weird cloudy ring around the return jets that wasn't there before. My kids spend hours in the pool every day during summer, and water quality is my top priority.

I've heard that DE filters use some kind of powder coating, but I'm not clear on the actual filtration process. How fine are the particles that get filtered out? I want to ensure we're getting the cleanest, safest water possible for my children to swim in.…more

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Filters Medium 2-3 years typical lifespan 95 👍 0

How Long Do DE Pool Filter Grids Last? Complete Guide

Noticed my DE filter is passing powder back into the pool and the grids have been in there since we bought the house five years ago. Pool store says replace them all but that's $200+ in grids alone. How long are these things actually supposed to last before they need swapping out?…more

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Filters Easy 30 minutes 75 👍 0

Do Cartridge Pool Filters Need Backwashing? Complete Guide

Around 50 family members are showing up for our housewarming party this weekend and I'm panicking because I have no idea if my new pool's cartridge filter needs backwashing. The previous owner left me a cartridge filter system, and I've been reading about pool care online. I keep seeing people talk about backwashing their filters, but I'm not sure if that applies to my setup.

The guy at the pool store mentioned something about cleaning cartridges differently, but I didn't think to ask for specifics at the time. Should I be backwashing my cartridge filter like I see mentioned in all these pool maintenance guides, or is there a different process I should be following? Any guidance would be really appreciated!…more

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