Results for "salt-chlorine-generator"

Water Chemistry Medium 30 minutes 147 👍 0

Do Vinyl Pools Need Calcium Hardness? Complete Guide

Finally ready to pull the trigger on a vinyl liner pool but the salesperson won't stop pushing calcium hardness products — legitimate necessity or expensive upsell? Keep seeing different numbers online - some say treat it like any other pool, others say vinyl needs different levels.

What's the right calcium hardness range for vinyl pools? And is it actually different from concrete/plaster pools?…more

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Installation Medium 2-4 hours research 130 👍 0

Inground Pool Costs: Complete Installation Price Guide 2024

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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Heaters Medium 15 minutes reading 126 👍 0

How Long Do Pool Heaters Last? Complete Lifespan Guide

Standing next to my ancient pool heater that's been making weird noises, is it dangerous to keep running it another season with kids constantly using our 20,000-gallon inground pool?

From what I've researched, there seem to be pretty significant differences in how long each type lasts, but I'm getting conflicting information. Some sources say gas heaters burn out faster due to the combustion process, while others claim electric units fail sooner because of the heating elements. I'm also curious about heat pumps since they're more energy efficient, but I wonder if that translates to longer equipment life.

What should I realistically expect in terms of lifespan for each heater type? I'm willing to do proper maintenance and won't be running it constantly - probably just weekends and evenings during swimming season. Are there specific factors that significantly impact how long these units last?…more

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Water Chemistry Easy 6-8 hours total (30 minutes active work) 123 👍 0

How to Increase Pool pH: Step-by-Step Guide with Dosing

The pH in my 20,000 gallon inground pool is stuck at 7.0-7.2 and I know that's way too low. I've heard about using different chemicals to bring it up, but I'm not sure which one to choose or how much to use. Some people mention soda ash while others swear by baking soda - what's the difference between these options?

I want to make sure I'm doing this right since I've never had to adjust pH before. Should I be adding chemicals gradually or can I fix it all at once? Also, how long should I wait before testing again to see if it worked? My pool is crystal clear otherwise, so I just need to get the chemistry balanced properly.…more

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Leaks Medium 2-4 hours 119 👍 0

Can Pools Leak? Common Causes & How to Detect Pool Leaks

After two weeks of watching my pool devour water at 3/4 inch per day with zero swimmers, I'm convinced there's a serious leak somewhere. My pool is 20,000 gallons, rectangular, and about 8 years old. The water chemistry seems fine - chlorine at 2.5 ppm, pH at 7.4, alkalinity at 110 ppm.

I know pools naturally lose some water to evaporation, especially here in Arizona where it's been hitting 105°F daily. But this seems like a lot more than usual. I've checked around the equipment pad and don't see any obvious puddles or wet spots. The pool company that installed it said minor water loss is normal, but I'm starting to worry this might actually be a leak.

What's the normal amount of water loss I should expect from evaporation alone? At what point should I be concerned that this is actually a structural leak rather than just normal evaporation? I want to catch any potential problems before they get worse and more expensive to fix.…more

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Pump Problems Medium 2-4 hours for installation 108 👍 0

Do I Need a Variable Speed Pool Pump? Complete Guide

Got three different pool store employees this month pushing variable speed pumps on me and I'm done pretending I know if they're worth it. My single speed pump is getting old and they keep pushing these expensive variable speed pumps, saying they'll save me money in the long run. But honestly, I'm skeptical - feels like another way for them to make a bigger commission off me.

I'm already spending way too much on chemicals and maintenance as it is. Are these variable speed pumps actually required now, or is this just sales pressure? And do they really cut energy costs as much as they claim? I'd rather invest in something that actually makes a difference than throw more money at equipment that might not be worth it.…more

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Water Chemistry Medium Planning: 30 minutes, Application: varies by method 106 👍 0

Can You Use Pool pH Down for Plants? Safety Guide

Our pool guy insists we need expensive soil amendments for our alkaline garden, but why can't we just use the pH down from our pool supplies? They're looking pretty sad and I know lowering the pH would help. Got me thinking - could I just use some of this pool chemical to fix my soil instead of buying garden stuff? I mean, it's designed to lower pH, right?

Before I potentially kill my tomatoes, figured I should ask if anyone's tried this. Is pool pH down safe for plants or am I about to create a gardening disaster?…more

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Winterizing Medium 45 minutes 100 👍 0

Can You Cover a Pool Heater? Complete Winterizing Guide

Three different "experts" just gave me three different answers about covering my pool heater for winter — my neighbor says always cover it, the pool store says never, and YouTube is all over the place. My pool heater is a significant investment, and I'm concerned about potential damage from winter weather, debris accumulation, and moisture intrusion during the months it won't be operational.

What's the recommended protocol for covering pool heaters during winter storage? I need to understand the proper materials and methods to prevent condensation issues while still providing adequate weather protection. Are there specific cover types designed for pool heating equipment, or should I avoid covering altogether to prevent moisture-related problems?…more

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Equipment Medium 45 minutes 93 👍 0

Do Variable Speed Pool Pumps Run All The Time? Complete Guide

Apparently my pool guy wants $800 to install a variable speed pump that he claims runs 24/7, but I'm skeptical about whether that's really necessary. I'm particularly interested in understanding how they balance filtration requirements with energy efficiency, and whether the speed modulation eliminates the need for complete shutdown periods during normal operation.…more

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Water Chemistry Easy 15 minutes 66 👍 0

Does Calcium Hardness Increaser Expire? Storage Tips

Since I'm standing in my garage staring at this container of calcium chloride powder from last season, I'm wondering if this stuff actually goes bad or if I can still use it to raise my pool's calcium hardness levels. It's been sitting in my garage through the winter in the original container. I'm getting ready to open the pool again and wondering if this stuff goes bad over time? The container doesn't have a clear expiration date on it. Should I be concerned about using year-old calcium hardness increaser, or does it stay good indefinitely? I'd rather not waste money buying new chemicals if the old stuff is still effective.…more

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