Results for "solar-collectors"

Maintenance Easy varies by season 306 👍 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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Heaters Easy 30 minutes 263 👍 0

Do You Need Pool Heating in Orlando in April? Temperature Guide

Woke up this morning realizing our pool party is this weekend and I have no idea if April water temps in Orlando will freeze our guests out without heating. What are typical pool temperatures in April without a heater? Is it warm enough to swim comfortably or should I budget for heating equipment?…more

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Winterizing Medium 2-3 hours 184 👍 0

Can Pool Covers Be Recycled? Complete Disposal Guide

Opened my pool storage shed yesterday to find my cover completely shredded after years of patches, and now I'm stuck with this massive tarp I can't dispose of properly. I really don't want to just throw it in the dumpster if there's a better option - it seems like such a waste!

I called my local recycling center and they had no clue what I was talking about. The cover is one of those vinyl ones with the foam backing, so it's not like it's a single material. Does anyone know if there are places that actually take these things? I'm hoping there's some specialized facility or program I don't know about, because sending this thing to a landfill feels wrong.…more

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Best Pool Filters

4.5 (15,600 reviews)

Winterizing Medium 4-8 hours 177 👍 0

Do I Need to Winterize My Pool? Complete Regional Guide 2024

My 20,000 gallon inground pool looked fine yesterday, but walked out this morning and spotted ice crystals forming around the edges that definitely weren't there last night. I live in central Pennsylvania where we definitely get freezing temperatures, but I'm trying to figure out the right strategy.

I've been maintaining my pool chemistry pretty well - chlorine stays around 2-3 ppm, pH is balanced at 7.4, and alkalinity is good at 100 ppm. The pool has been crystal clear all season. But now that October is here and nighttime temps are starting to drop into the 40s, I'm wondering what level of winterization is actually necessary for my climate zone.

Do I need to drain the pool, blow out all the lines, and do the full winterization process? Or are there different approaches depending on how cold it gets in my area? I want to make sure I protect my equipment and plumbing from freeze damage, but I also don't want to do more work than necessary if my climate doesn't require it.…more

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Above Ground Medium 2 hours research + installation planning 147 👍 0

Above Ground Pool Distance From House: Complete Guide

HOA just sent a letter saying my new above ground pool might be too close to the property line. Measured it at 8 feet from the house and now I'm worried I need to tear it down and relocate it. How far does an above ground pool actually need to be from the house and property lines?…more

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Pump Problems Easy 5 minutes 145 👍 0

Can You Run Pool Pump With Solar Cover On? Safety Guide

After getting slapped with a $200 "improper equipment usage" charge from my pool guy, I'm second-guessing whether I can safely run my pump with the solar cover on. I bought a solar cover to help keep the water warm, but I'm not sure about the pump situation. The pool store told me to run my pump daily for circulation, but they didn't mention anything about what to do when the cover is on.

Is it safe to run the pump while the solar cover is covering the pool? I don't want to damage anything or mess up the water chemistry since I'm still learning. Any guidance would be really appreciated!…more

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Heaters Medium varies by setup 142 👍 0

How Long Pool Heaters Take to Heat Up - Complete Guide

After years of relying on my old gas heater's predictable 24-hour heating schedule, this new heat pump is throwing me completely off track. They keep pushing expensive systems without giving me straight answers about actual heating performance. I need to know the real deal on how long different heater types actually take to warm up a pool.

Specifically, what's the realistic heating rate for gas heaters versus heat pumps? I keep hearing conflicting info and I'm trying to make an informed decision without getting upsold on features I don't need. Just want honest numbers on temperature rise per hour so I can figure out what works for my situation and budget.…more

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Heaters Medium 15 minutes reading 142 👍 0

Pool Heater Lifespan in Florida: How Long They Last

Turned on my pool heater this morning and noticed those same rust spots on my 8-year-old unit are definitely getting worse. With three young kids who love to swim year-round, having consistently warm water is important for their comfort and safety.

I've been looking at both gas heaters and electric heat pump options, but I'm concerned about how Florida's climate might affect their lifespan. The humidity here is intense, and we're close enough to the coast that salt air is definitely a factor. Should I expect to replace the heater more frequently than if we lived somewhere with milder weather? I want to budget appropriately and ensure we always have reliable heating for safe, comfortable swimming conditions.…more

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Winterizing Easy 30 minutes 141 👍 0

Can You Shock Pool With Solar Cover On? Chemical Safety Guide

Last week my pool service guy told me I absolutely must remove the solar cover before shocking, but that sounds like he's just creating extra work for himself. My pool has been green for over a week now and I've already dumped what feels like half a chemistry store into it. I've been shocking it every other day but honestly I'm not sure if I'm doing it right.

I've been leaving my solar cover on when I add the shock because I figured it would help keep the chemicals from evaporating in the sun. But now I'm wondering if that's actually making things worse? Should I be taking the cover off first? And if so, how long should I wait before putting it back on? I'm willing to try anything at this point because this green monster is driving me crazy!…more

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Water Chemistry Medium 45 minutes 140 👍 0

Do I Need CYA (Stabilizer) in My Pool? Complete Guide

Three months into pool season and I'm still confused about CYA levels, especially with my kids already begging to dive in.

Our pool gets full sun most of the day, and I've been using regular chlorine tablets. A neighbor mentioned something about CYA protecting chlorine from the sun, but I'm not sure if it's actually necessary or just another chemical I don't need. Will my chlorine work properly without it, and is it safe to have CYA in the water with kids swimming?…more

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Maintenance Easy 15 minutes 131 👍 0

How to Measure Pool Length: Complete Step-by-Step Guide

The pool guy casually mentioned our measurements seemed "off" during his last visit, and now I'm questioning whether I even know how long our pool actually is. I need the measurements for a new cover and some DIY projects, but I'm not paying those ridiculous markups they charge for everything.

I've got a basic rectangular pool but it's got some curved edges at the corners. Should be simple enough to measure myself, right? What's the best way to get accurate length measurements without calling in the pros? I've already spent way too much money on overpriced chemicals this season.…more

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Best Pool Lights

4.5 (19,800 reviews)

Algae Green Pool Easy 15 minutes daily maintenance 130 👍 0

Does Covering Pool Prevent Algae? Complete Prevention Guide

I turned around at 2 AM to find my crystal-clear pool is now swamp green — desperately need to know if a cover will stop this algae disaster before tomorrow's party. The guys there keep pushing more and more expensive chemicals, and I swear they're just trying to upsell me on everything. Now they're telling me I need a pool cover to prevent algae, but I want to know if this actually works or if it's just another way to get money out of me.

I'm looking for honest advice here - does covering my pool genuinely prevent algae growth, or am I still going to need all those pricey chemicals even with a cover? I'd love to find some DIY solutions that actually work instead of constantly throwing money at this problem.…more

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Heaters Medium 20-40 hours 130 👍 0

Can I Install a Pool Heater Myself? DIY Installation Guide

Staring at my dead pool heater at 11 PM — need to figure out if I can install a replacement myself before the kids want to swim tomorrow. I keep reading mixed information about whether this is something I can tackle myself or if I need to hire a professional.

I'm particularly concerned about gas connections and electrical work - I don't want to mess something up that could put my family at risk. Are there certain types of pool heaters that are safer for DIY installation? I want to make sure whatever heating system we choose is properly installed so there are no safety hazards for the kids.…more

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Pump Problems Medium 2-4 hours for installation 128 👍 0

Do You Need a Variable Speed Pool Pump? Complete Guide 2024

Single speed pump is killing my electric bill but variable speed pumps cost $800-1500 installed. Pool guy swears it'll pay for itself in two years on energy savings alone. Sounds like a sales pitch but I keep hearing the same thing from other pool owners too. Are variable speed pumps actually worth the upgrade?…more

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Winterizing Medium 4-8 hours 127 👍 0

Can I Cover Pool After Shocking? When It's Safe to Cover

Staring at my pool Saturday morning with shock treatment planned — should I have the cover staged and ready to throw back on or do I need to wait?
The guy at the pool store mentioned something about waiting before putting the cover back on, but I honestly didn't catch all the details - there was so much information!

I'm worried about covering it too soon and maybe damaging the cover or something. How long should I wait after shocking before it's safe to put the cover back on? Is there a specific chlorine level I should be looking for? Any guidance would be really appreciated!…more

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