Results for "vinyl-liner"

Water Chemistry Easy 10 minutes 277 👍 0

How Long Do Pool Chemicals Last? Complete Shelf Life Guide

Somewhere in my garage I've got old pool chemicals from last season, but I can't afford to replace them all — is there a way to test if they're still good for under $20?

Specifically looking for technical specifications on how long liquid chlorine maintains potency versus granular forms, and whether chemicals like sodium bicarbonate and muriatic acid have definitive expiration parameters. Storage conditions are controlled temperature and humidity, so assuming optimal preservation environment.…more

Read answer

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

Read answer

Algae Green Pool Medium 4-6 hours 257 👍 0

Can I Shock Pool After Adding Algaecide? Complete Guide

Spent all morning watching my pool turn green with algae patches and now I'm holding bottles of algaecide and shock with no clue which to use first. But I'm not sure about the timing - can I add both in the same day? Should I put the algaecide in first, or does it matter?

Also, if I can use both, how long should I wait between adding them? Don't want to mess up my water chemistry or waste expensive chemicals by doing this wrong!…more

Read answer

Product Ranking 8 compared

Best Pool Filters

4.5 (15,600 reviews)

Filters Medium 4-6 hours 193 👍 0

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

Read answer

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

Read answer

Maintenance Medium varies by task 162 👍 0

Wrong Question? Pool Maintenance Help Not Airline Miles

I found this weird cloudy film floating all over my pool surface that I can't figure out. I'm a brand new pool owner and honestly have no idea what I'm doing. My water looks cloudy and I'm not sure if my chemicals are right.

The pool store gave me a bunch of products but I'm worried I'll mess something up. Could someone point me toward a good guide for basic pool maintenance? I just want to get my water crystal clear and make sure everything is balanced properly. Any comprehensive resources for beginners would be amazing!…more

Read answer

Filters Medium 45 minutes 157 👍 0

How Long Do Pool DE Filters Last? Complete Lifespan Guide

Pulled the cover off my DE filter system today and got hit with this awful musty, stagnant smell after 18 months of running it on my 20,000-gallon pool. I've been adding fresh DE powder every few weeks after backwashing, but I'm not sure how long the actual filter grids are supposed to last before they need to be completely replaced.

Lately I've noticed that my filter cycles seem to be getting shorter - I'm having to backwash more frequently than I used to, and the water clarity isn't quite as crystal clear as it was when the system was newer. My pool gets moderate use with about 4-6 swimmers regularly, and I keep my chlorine around 2-3 ppm and pH at 7.4. Are these signs that my grids are wearing out, or is this normal aging? What's the typical lifespan I should expect from DE filter components?…more

Read answer

Pump Problems Easy 30 minutes 157 👍 0

Can I Turn Pool Pump Off at Night? Complete Owner's Guide

This electric bill is destroying my budget and I can't afford to keep this pool pump running 24/7 — is it safe to shut it off nights?
The pool store told me the pump should run constantly, but my neighbor says he turns his off at night to save on electricity costs.

I'm worried about messing something up since this is all new to me. Is it actually safe to turn the pump off overnight, or will that cause problems with the water? If I can turn it off, how many hours should it still be running each day to keep everything clean and healthy?…more

Read answer

Maintenance Medium 1-3 days for installation 155 👍 0

Pool Fence Requirements: Do You Need One? Safety Guide 2024

According to my contractor, I'm looking at $3,200 for pool fencing and wondering if it's actually legally required before my installation is complete.

Anyone know the actual requirements? Like how deep does a pool have to be before you need fencing, and are there specific rules about the fence height or gate types? Just want to make sure I'm following all the safety regulations and not getting hit with any surprise violations from the city!…more

Read answer

Algae Green Pool Medium 3-7 days for full treatment 154 👍 0

Can Pool Algae Cause a Rash? Health Risks & Prevention

Around noon yesterday I finished scrubbing down my pool walls but this morning there's green stuff growing back — could this algae be what's causing the rash on my arms? I've been swimming in it a few times and now I'm wondering if that could be causing the skin irritation I've been experiencing. The pool store told me it's algae and that I need to treat it, but I'm curious about the health risks.

Can pool algae actually cause rashes or other skin problems? I'm worried about my family swimming in it, and I want to understand what I'm dealing with before I start dumping chemicals in. Any guidance on how serious this is and what I should do to fix it would be really appreciated!…more

Read answer

Cloudy Water Medium 24-72 hours 153 👍 0

How to Clear Cloudy Pool Water: Complete Fix Guide 2024

Our pool turned into a cloudy mess ever since the kids' party last weekend, and now I'm worried it's not safe for them to swim. They keep asking to get in, but I don't want to risk their health if there's something wrong with the water quality.

What's the proper way to clear up cloudy pool water and make it safe again? I want to make sure I'm doing everything right - testing chemicals, shocking, filtering, whatever it takes. How do I know when the water is actually clear and safe enough for the kids to swim again?…more

Read answer

Product Ranking 8 compared

Best Pool Covers

4.5 (11,300 reviews)

Water Chemistry Easy 5 minutes 148 👍 0

Does Pool Chlorine Make You Darker? Skin Effects Explained

During my latest pool investigation, I've got my detective gear ready to figure out why my kids keep coming home darker after swim days — is chlorine actually changing their skin color? They're in the pool for hours during summer camp, and I want to make sure the chemicals aren't harming their skin or causing any unwanted changes.

Is chlorine known to darken skin, or could there be another explanation? I'm also concerned about whether the pool chemicals might be making their skin more vulnerable to other effects from being outdoors so much.…more

Read answer

Equipment Easy 15 minutes research 144 👍 0

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

Read answer

Equipment Easy 60 minutes 143 👍 0

Does Lowe's Have Pool Vacuums? Complete Buying Guide 2024

Looked at my pool this morning and decided I'm done paying someone else to clean it — just need to figure out if Lowe's has decent pool vacuums worth buying. Last week they tried to convince me I needed a $2,000 robotic cleaner when all I want is something decent to keep my pool clean without breaking the bank.

Does anyone know if big box stores like Lowe's actually carry pool vacuums? I'm hoping to find some options there since they usually have better prices than the specialty pool shops. I don't mind doing the research myself - just need to know what brands and price ranges to expect so I can make a smart purchase without some salesperson breathing down my neck.…more

Read answer

Water Chemistry Easy 4 hours 142 👍 0

Can I Shock Pool After Adding Calcium? Safe Timing Guide

This is 11 PM and I just dumped calcium into my pool but now realize I need to shock it — can I do both tonight or will I completely wreck my water chemistry?

I just added calcium hardness increaser to bring my levels up, and now I need to shock the pool too. The pool store guy said I need to wait but couldn't give me a straight answer on how long. Can I add the shock right away or do I need to wait between adding these chemicals? I'm trying to get this done in one trip instead of paying them to come back again.…more

Read answer

Loading more Q&A...

You've seen all 84 Q&A articles!