Results for "skimmer removal"

Pump Problems Medium 30 minutes 970 👍 0

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

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Equipment Easy 15 minutes 570 👍 0

How Does Pool Skimmer Basket Work? Complete Guide

Our pool's running great but I've got my cleaning tools laid out and want to master how this skimmer basket actually works before I accidentally break something. Specifically, I want to know the water flow dynamics and debris capture process that occurs when water enters the skimmer unit.

What is the step-by-step process of how debris gets trapped while maintaining proper water circulation to the pump? I'm looking for technical details about the basket's role in the overall filtration sequence and how it prevents larger contaminants from reaching downstream equipment.…more

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Winterizing Medium 2-4 hours 447 👍 0

Can I Open Pool Cover With Water On It? Safe Removal Guide

Finally facing spring opening and worried it's dangerous to remove my winter pool cover with all that standing water on top while my kids are constantly playing nearby? Can I just pull it off like this or do I need to get the water off first? Don't want to mess up my pool water or damage anything.…more

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Equipment Easy 15 minutes 275 👍 0

Do I Need a Pool Skimmer? Essential Equipment Guide

Spent the morning staring at my new pool setup and realized I can't tell which equipment is actually essential versus just expensive extras. The skimmer seems like it would be helpful for picking up leaves and stuff, but I'm wondering if it's something I actually NEED or if I could get by without one to save some money.

I keep seeing them mentioned everywhere but nobody really explains if they're required or just recommended. Are there any safety issues or code requirements I should know about? Just want to make sure I'm not skipping something important that'll cause problems later!…more

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Filters Easy 45-60 minutes 483 👍 0

Can I Vacuum Pool to Filter? Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Three different pool cleaning methods later — skimming, brushing, and running my pump for hours — and my water is still cloudy, so I'm wondering if vacuuming to filter works. Is it okay to vacuum debris directly through my pool's filtration system? Want to make sure I'm cleaning it the right way without damaging anything.…more

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Winterizing Medium 4-6 hours 244 👍 0

Can You Close a Pool Without a Cover? Winterizing Steps

Planning to winterize my pool this year but my cover is doing something completely bizarre — it's literally disintegrating into shreds every time the wind picks up. Is it possible to winterize my pool without one? What extra steps would I need to take to keep it maintained through the cold months?…more

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Equipment Easy Research and purchase: 2-4 hours 196 👍 0

Do I Need a Pool Cleaner? Investment Worth Guide 2026

I got a pool cleaner sitting in my cart right now but can't shake the feeling I'm about to waste money on something I could just do myself. My neighbor swears by his robotic cleaner, but they're pretty expensive. I've got a standard rectangular inground pool with a cartridge filter system. Been maintaining it myself for about two years now, but the manual cleaning is becoming a real chore. Do I really need to buy an automatic cleaner, or am I just being lazy? What's the real difference in water quality?…more

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Filters Medium 3-4 hours 755 👍 0

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

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Above Ground Medium 4-6 hours 271 👍 0

Can You Reuse a Pool Liner? Complete Reuse Guide 2026

Took down the above ground pool last fall and the liner sat folded in the garage all winter. Setting it back up this spring and wondering if I can reuse it or if the creases and folds have already ruined it. Buying a new one seems wasteful if this one's still good.…more

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Above Ground Medium 2-4 hours 440 👍 0

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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Pool Maintenance Hard 4-6 hours daily maintenance 226 👍 1

Can You Keep a Pool Clean Without a Filter? Complete Guide

Staring at my pool manual that insists I need a filter system, but I'm seeing other pool owners somehow maintaining crystal-clear water without one. I'm Nancy T. and I'm completely new to pool ownership - just inherited my grandmother's old above-ground pool. I noticed the filter system seems to be broken or missing some parts, and I'm wondering if there's any way to keep the water clean without it? Maybe I'm being naive, but I thought I'd ask before spending money on repairs. I've been adding chlorine tablets like the neighbor suggested, but I'm not sure if that's enough. Please be patient with me - I really don't know much about pool maintenance yet! Any advice would be greatly appreciated.…more

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Winterizing Medium 4-6 hours 262 👍 0

How to Winterize Pool: Complete Troubleshooting Guide 2026

After ignoring winterization last fall, my pool pipes started making weird cracking sounds this spring and now I'm staring at burst pipes and algae soup. I'm determined not to repeat that nightmare! I know it involves chemicals and lowering water levels, but I'm clearly missing something important in my process.

What's the complete step-by-step process for winterizing? How long should I plan for this whole ordeal, and what are the critical steps I probably screwed up last time? I want to make sure I'm protecting against freeze damage while keeping the water in decent shape for spring startup.…more

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Winterizing Medium 6-8 hours over 2-3 weeks 265 👍 0

How to Winterize Your Inground Pool: Complete Step Guide

Planning to winterize my new inground pool using the same routine that worked perfectly on my old above-ground, but worried the chemical and equipment needs are completely different.

What are the specific steps I should follow for proper winterization? I'm particularly concerned about getting the water chemistry balanced correctly and protecting my filtration system and plumbing from freeze damage. Should I be targeting specific chemical levels, and what's the proper sequence for draining, cleaning, and applying winterizing treatments?…more

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Maintenance Medium 15-20 minutes to read, 30-60 minutes to complete weekly tasks 385 👍 1

Weekly Pool Maintenance Checklist: Complete 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

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Equipment Easy 30 minutes 374 👍 0

Do I Need a Pool Vacuum? Complete Equipment Guide 2026

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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