Results for "sand-filter"

Above Ground Medium 4-8 hours 1,685 👍 12

Do You Need Sand Under Above Ground Pool? Installation Guide

The pool delivery truck is coming at 8 AM tomorrow and I'm frantically researching at midnight whether I actually need sand under my 24-foot above ground pool. I've heard different opinions - some people swear by sand, others say you don't need it at all, and I've seen mentions of foam boards and pool pads too.

My yard has a slight slope and some areas are softer soil while others are more compacted. The pool will hold about 13,500 gallons when full, so I want to make sure I get the foundation right to avoid any settling or damage issues later. What are my best options for the base material, and do I really need sand, or are there other alternatives that might work better for my situation?…more

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Above Ground Easy 2-4 hours 343 👍 0

Do I Need a Pool Liner Pad? Above Ground Pool Guide

Since setting up my new 24-foot Intex above ground pool, I can't figure out if the liner pad is actually necessary or just another upsell. The pool company keeps pushing this liner pad thing on me, saying it's "essential" - but is it really? I've already blown through way more money than I budgeted for this project.

I'm hoping someone can give me the straight truth here. Will skipping the liner pad come back to bite me later? I'd rather spend the money upfront if it actually protects my investment, but I don't want to get taken for a ride on unnecessary add-ons either.…more

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Above Ground Medium 4-6 hours 248 👍 0

Do I Need a Pool Liner? Above Ground Pool Requirements

During my above ground pool setup, my installer insists I need a $200 liner but my manual shows zero requirements for one anywhere. Like, can't the pool walls just hold the water on their own?

Also if I do need one, how long do these things typically last before I'm stuck buying another one? Just trying to budget for the real costs here!…more

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Above Ground Medium 1-2 hours plus curing time 899 👍 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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Maintenance Easy varies by season 654 👍 0

How Long Are Pools Open in Texas? Swimming Season Guide

Finally got a second opinion after my pool contractor insisted Texas pools should only stay open 6-7 months yearly, but something about losing half my investment doesn't add up. I moved to Texas thinking I'd be swimming constantly, but I'm honestly confused about when pools are actually swimmable here. Some neighbors say theirs are open March through November, others claim they swim year-round with heaters.

I've been debating whether to invest in a heating system since I'm paying for this pool either way. How long is the typical swimming season in Texas, and is it realistic to keep a pool open all year? I want to maximize my investment and actually enjoy this thing!…more

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Above Ground Medium 4-6 hours 535 👍 0

How to Install Above Ground Pool Liner Yourself - DIY Guide

Halfway through every spring pool prep, I'm staring at the same mysterious liner shrinkage and random tears that definitely weren't there last fall. I'm reasonably handy and have helped friends with home projects before, but I've never attempted anything like this.

Before I dive in headfirst, is this actually something a determined DIYer can handle? I'm wondering about the time commitment and whether I'll need to recruit some buddies to help out. I'd rather know what I'm getting into upfront than end up with a half-installed liner and a flooded backyard!…more

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Water Chemistry Medium 2-4 hours setup 494 👍 1

Can You Store Pool Chemicals in an Outdoor Shed? Safety Guide

Around summer my backyard shed gets scorching hot, has terrible ventilation, AND I'm panicking about whether my pool chemicals are safe out there. Is this safe or asking for trouble?

Mainly have chlorine tablets, shock, pH adjusters, and algaecide. Shed gets pretty hot in summer and doesn't have great ventilation. What are the main things I need to worry about for safe storage?…more

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Above Ground Medium 2-3 days 492 👍 0

Can You Paint Above Ground Pool? Complete Guide & Best Methods

Called it—after all that rain last week, my above ground pool looks even more rusty and faded than before, practically mocking me from the backyard. It's become such an eyesore that I'm embarrassed to have people over. I've been researching pool painting but getting mixed information online - some say it works great, others say it's a waste of time and money.

My pool is one of those standard metal frame ones, probably about 15 years old with some rust spots and serious fading. I'm willing to put in the work if it'll actually make a difference, but I need to know if this is even feasible or if I'm just setting myself up for disappointment. What type of paint works on these things, and do I need special prep work?…more

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Above Ground Hard 2-3 days 475 👍 0

Can You Paint Pool Liner? Guide for Above-Ground Pools

Staring at my faded above-ground pool liner, I'm probably crazy for wondering this, but can you actually paint these things? The liner has some areas that don't look great and I was wondering if I could just paint over them to freshen things up.

Someone at the pool store mentioned that painting liners might not always work, but they weren't sure about the details. I have a vinyl liner - is that something I can paint? Or are there certain types of liners that work better for painting than others? I really don't want to mess anything up.…more

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Water Chemistry Medium 30 minutes 474 👍 0

Does Pool Stabilizer Evaporate? CYA Levels Explained

Woke up determined to finally understand pool chemistry, but now I'm standing in the pool store aisle staring at bottles of cyanuric acid and chlorine stabilizer with no clue which one I actually need. I know chlorine evaporates and needs constant replenishment, but I'm unclear about what happens to stabilizer over time.

Specifically, does CYA evaporate from the pool like chlorine does, or does it remain in solution indefinitely? If it doesn't evaporate, what are the actual mechanisms for removing excess stabilizer when levels get too high? I need to understand this for proper water balance management.…more

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Above Ground Hard 3-5 days 434 👍 0

Can You Bury an Above Ground Pool? Complete Safety Guide

Nobody can agree on whether I can bury my above ground pool — my neighbor says yes, the pool store says absolutely not, and YouTube shows people doing it.

Some people are telling me I can just dig a hole and drop it right in, while others are warning me about structural issues and safety concerns. I really want to make this work because I can't afford a full inground installation, but I also don't want to create a dangerous situation or waste money on a project that's doomed to fail.

What's the real deal here? Can I safely bury my above ground pool completely, or are there specific limitations I need to know about? I'm willing to do whatever reinforcement work is necessary if it means I can finally have the pool setup I've been wanting.…more

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Above Ground Medium 2-3 hours 346 👍 0

Can Pool Liners Be Repaired? Step-by-Step Repair Guide

Last time I checked my vinyl pool liner there were several small tears scattered across the surface, but my pool store is pushing a thousands-dollar full replacement. They're making it sound like repairs never work and will just cause more problems down the line - classic upselling tactics.

Before I get taken to the cleaners again (like I do every time I walk into that place), can these small holes actually be patched reliably? I'm talking maybe 1-2 inch tears, nothing massive. Is this something I can tackle myself with the pool still full, or am I looking at draining everything and calling in the pros? Just want an honest answer about what actually works versus what makes them the most money.…more

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Leaks Medium 2-4 hours for DIY repairs 317 👍 0

Can Fiberglass Pools Leak? Yes - Here's How to Fix It

Looked like just a minor water drop in my fiberglass pool last month but now it's become a massive leak draining faster than any evaporation. I've heard people say fiberglass pools don't leak like other types, but that can't be true, right?

I'm wondering if there are common spots where fiberglass pools develop leaks? I'm hoping this is something that can actually be fixed without having to tear the whole thing apart. Has anyone dealt with this before and found a solution that actually works?…more

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Algae Green Pool Medium 15 minutes reading 252 👍 1

How Does Pool Algae Form? Understanding the Science Behind It

Since my neighbor's pool sparkles like a resort while mine transforms into a green lagoon every month, what's their secret to preventing algae takeover? The staff always tries to sell me multiple expensive bottles of shock, algaecide, and clarifiers, claiming I need their whole treatment system. But I want to understand what's actually causing this algae to form in the first place so I can prevent it myself.

What are the root causes that allow algae to take hold and multiply in pool water? I'd rather tackle the problem at its source than keep throwing money at treatments that only seem to work temporarily.…more

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Water Chemistry Medium 2-3 hours over 2 days 235 👍 0

Can Pool Chlorine Make You Itchy? Causes & Solutions

Finally planning to tackle my itchy pool problem this Saturday — need to figure out why my arms and shoulders keep getting irritated despite maintaining 2-3 ppm free chlorine in my 20,000-gallon inground pool. I maintain pH around 7.4 and alkalinity at 100 ppm, so the basic chemistry seems fine. The itching mainly affects my arms and shoulders where I spend the most time in the water.

I'm wondering if there's something I'm missing about chlorine that could be causing this skin irritation. I shock the pool weekly with calcium hypochlorite and use trichlor tablets in my skimmer, but the itchy feeling has gotten worse over the past month. Could it be the chlorine itself making me react this way, or is there another water chemistry issue I should be looking into? I've tried moisturizing after swimming but that only helps temporarily.…more

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