Search: skimmer removal | Pool Repair Question

Filters Medium 4-6 hours 313 👍

Can You Shock Pool Without Running Filter? Safe Method

Spent years shocking my old above-ground pool without running the filter and it worked perfectly, but now I'm questioning if it's actually safe for this new setup. I need to shock my pool but I'm wondering if I absolutely have to have the filter system running while I do it? The pool store mentioned something about circulation being important, but they weren't super clear about whether that meant the filter specifically or just water movement in general.

I'm trying to figure out if there's a safe way to shock the pool even if my filter isn't running - maybe by brushing or using the return jets? Any guidance would be really appreciated since I don't want to mess this up!…more

Pump Problems Medium 30 minutes 274 👍

Can You Run Pool Pump Without Skimmer? Safe Solutions

Every pool owner seems to swear by replacement skimmer baskets, but I'm wondering if I'm about to waste money on this cracked assembly replacement? I have a 20,000 gallon inground pool with both a main drain and skimmer line feeding into the pump. The skimmer is currently letting air into the system and causing the pump to lose prime intermittently.

I'm wondering if I can temporarily close off the skimmer line completely and just run the pump using suction from the main drain until I can fix the skimmer properly. Will this provide adequate circulation for my pool size, and are there any risks I should be aware of? I'm concerned about whether the main drain alone can handle all the filtration needs and if this might cause any damage to my pump or affect water quality during this temporary period.…more

Leaks Medium 2-4 hours for inspection and testing 257 👍

Can Pool Leak Through Tile Grout? Expert Detection Guide

Woke up to my pool losing another 3 inches this week from my 20,000-gallon inground — before I jackhammer the tile grout, will homeowner's insurance cover this mess? I've checked all the obvious spots like the skimmer, return lines, and pump connections, but haven't found any obvious leaks.

What's got me wondering about the grout is that I've noticed some areas where it looks cracked or slightly deteriorated, especially on the north side of the pool where we get the most freeze-thaw action during winter. The tile and grout are probably 8-10 years old now. My water chemistry has been pretty stable - chlorine around 2-3 ppm, pH 7.4, alkalinity 120 ppm - so I don't think chemical imbalance is causing rapid deterioration.

Is it actually possible for pool water to leak through damaged grout at the waterline? I'm trying to figure out if I should focus my leak detection efforts there or keep looking elsewhere. The water level seems to stabilize when it drops below the tile line, which makes me think the grout theory might be on the right track.…more

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Best Pool Heaters

4.4 (8,900 reviews)

Equipment Easy 15 minutes research 236 👍

Does Costco Sell Pool Vacuums? Complete Availability Guide

Noticed my pool's looking rough this week and planning to tackle a deep clean Saturday — what vacuum equipment should I have ready from Costco? The pool store told me I definitely need a good vacuum to keep it clean, but their prices seem pretty steep.

I'm a Costco member and was wondering if they carry pool vacuums? I'd love to save some money if possible, and I trust Costco's return policy in case I mess up and buy the wrong thing. Do they have a decent selection, or should I stick with the pool store? Any guidance from experienced pool owners would be amazing!…more

Leaks Medium 2-4 hours for assessment 232 👍

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

Equipment Medium 45 minutes 218 👍

Can You Vacuum Pool on Recirculate? Complete Guide

Pulled a ton of storm debris out of our pool and now I'm trying to decide between normal filtration and recirculate mode for vacuuming.
The pool is so messy that I'm concerned about clogging up our filter system if I vacuum normally, but I also don't want to compromise water quality.

Can I vacuum the pool using the recirculate setting instead? I want to make sure I understand what this does - will it actually clean the water properly or just move things around? My main concern is whether the water will be safe and clean enough for the kids to swim in afterward, or if I need to take additional steps to ensure proper filtration.…more

Salt Water Medium 4-6 hours initial setup 218 👍

Can Above Ground Pools Be Salt Water? Complete Guide 2024

Tried following my pool manual that says above ground pools can't handle salt water systems, but keep seeing people online who've successfully converted theirs. What equipment do I need and are there any compatibility issues I should know about? Also heard something about different chemical levels for salt pools - is that true?…more

Filters Easy 45-90 minutes 213 👍

Can I Vacuum Pool on Waste? Complete Filter Setting Guide

Halfway through prepping for our pool party this Saturday, I realized I have no clue which filter setting to use when vacuuming all this debris. I've got some pretty heavy debris that's settled on the bottom of my pool after a storm, and I'm worried about clogging up my filter if I vacuum it all up normally.

The guy at the pool store mentioned something about using the "waste" setting when vacuuming, but I didn't really understand what he meant. Does this actually work, and when should I be using waste instead of the regular filter setting? I don't want to mess anything up since I'm still learning all this stuff.…more

Pump Problems Medium 30 minutes 204 👍

How to Program Variable Speed Pool Pump - Complete Guide

Nobody warned me that after the pool guy installed my new variable speed pump yesterday, I'd be staring at this digital display like it's speaking ancient Greek. The installer basically ran off after hooking it up and now I'm supposed to figure out how to program different speeds throughout the day.

I get that I'm supposed to run it at different RPMs at different times to save energy, but honestly have no clue where to start. Like, what speeds should I use and when? And how do I actually punch this stuff into the control panel? My old single-speed pump was so much simpler - just flip the switch and forget about it!…more

Maintenance Medium 15-20 minutes to read, 30-60 minutes to complete weekly tasks 197 👍

Weekly Pool Maintenance Checklist: Complete Expert Guide

Weekly pool maintenance involves testing and balancing water chemistry (pH 7.4-7.6, proper chlorine levels), cleaning skimmers and equipment, brushing walls, and vacuuming debris. Consistent weekly care prevents expensive repairs and keeps your pool safe for swimming year-round.…more

Equipment Easy 30 minutes 195 👍

Do I Need a Pool Vacuum? Complete Equipment Guide 2024

Wondering if anyone else had their manual skimming routine work perfectly on their old above-ground pool but this inground one still looks swampy? I've been trying to maintain it with just skimming and brushing, but there's always debris settling on the bottom that I can't seem to get rid of. My neighbors keep telling me I need some kind of vacuum, but I have no idea what type would actually work for my setup.

I have a medium-sized inground pool that gets a decent amount of leaves from the trees overhead, especially in fall. I'm willing to put in some manual work if it saves money, but I also don't want to be out there for hours every week. What should I be looking for in a pool vacuum, and do I really need one or are there alternatives that actually work?…more

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Best Salt Chlorine Generators

4.3 (6,200 reviews)

Filters Medium 3-4 hours 195 👍

How to Change Pool Filter Sand: Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Standing here staring at my pool filter feeling completely clueless—probably a dumb question, but how do you actually change the sand inside this thing?

Can someone walk me through the whole thing? Like do I need to turn off the pump first? How do I get to the old sand? And what are these "laterals" they mentioned - I don't want to damage those. Any step-by-step guidance would be amazing since this is my first time doing any pool maintenance beyond adding chemicals.…more

Above Ground Easy 10 minutes 194 👍

How Long Do Pool Liners Last? Above Ground Pool Lifespan

Above ground pool liner is starting to fade and get thin in spots after seven seasons. Dreading the $400 replacement cost and wondering if these things ever last longer than that. My neighbor got 12 years out of hers somehow — what am I doing wrong?…more

Equipment Easy 15 minutes 188 👍

Do Pool Skimmers Work? Complete Effectiveness Guide

Three weeks ago my husband casually mentioned that our pool skimmers aren't picking up leaves or surface oils, and now I'm obsessing over whether they're broken. My pool consistently accumulates leaves, insects, and surface oils, and I want to understand if the skimmers are operating at optimal capacity or if there are performance factors I should be monitoring.

Specifically, I need to know the percentage of surface debris that properly functioning skimmers should capture, and what maintenance parameters directly impact their removal efficiency. Are there measurable benchmarks for skimmer performance that indicate when the system is working correctly versus when adjustments are needed?…more

Above Ground Medium 2-4 hours 188 👍

Can I Leave My Above Ground Pool Empty? Winter Storage Guide

The brutal freeze last winter that cracked my neighbor's liner has me questioning whether I should abandon my usual partial drain approach and go completely empty this year.

My pool has been up for three seasons now, and I've always done partial draining and winterization with chemicals, but this year I'm wondering if it would be easier to just empty it entirely.

I'm concerned about potential damage to the pool structure if I leave it empty for several months. The pool sits on leveled ground with a sand base, and we get pretty harsh winters here with freezing temperatures. I've heard conflicting advice - some people say it's fine to empty it completely, while others warn about structural issues. What are the real risks of leaving an above ground pool empty for an extended period, and would I be better off sticking with my usual winterization routine?…more

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