Results for "washing-machine"

Filters Medium 4-6 hours 255 👍 0

Can You Reuse Pool Filter Sand? Cleaning vs Replacement

Halfway through another messy backwashing session with my gunky 3-year-old sand filter, I'm trying to decide between cleaning it again or just replacing the sand entirely. The sand looks pretty gunky when I backwash, but replacement sand isn't cheap. I've heard some people say you can rinse it thoroughly and reuse it, while others insist fresh sand is the only way to go. What's the real deal here? I don't mind doing the work myself if it'll save some money, but I also don't want to compromise my water quality.…more

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Water Chemistry Easy 15 minutes 223 👍 0

Do I Need pH Up and Down for Pool? Essential pH Guide

My husband casually mentioned that we're the only neighbors who stock both pH Up AND pH Down, and now I'm suspicious the pool store is playing us. That's like $40-50 just for pH adjustment chemicals alone!

Is this just upselling, or do I actually need to keep both products on hand? My pool seems to drift one way or the other pH-wise, but rarely both directions. Looking for some honest advice from people who aren't trying to empty my wallet every time I walk in for supplies.…more

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Filters Medium 2-3 hours for treatment process 186 👍 0

Can Pool Filter Sand Be Used in Garden? Complete Guide

I got stuck with 200 pounds of nasty used pool filter sand that the previous owner left behind when I moved in. Been in my filter for 3 years. Wondering if I can dump this in my vegetable garden or if the chlorine and other pool chemicals make it unsafe for plants. Anyone know if there's a way to clean it first or should I just toss it?…more

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Best Salt Chlorine Generators

4.3 (6,200 reviews)

Water Chemistry Medium 45 minutes 185 👍 0

Can Pool Chlorine Clean Concrete? Safe Methods & Alternatives

Between the humidity and recent rain, my concrete pool deck started showing these nasty green algae stains last week and now I'm wondering if pool chlorine can clean them off. My concrete pool deck is absolutely filthy with algae stains and dirt buildup, and nothing seems to work. I've scrubbed until my arms hurt and tried different cleaners, but these green stains just won't budge.

I have tons of pool chlorine sitting around and I'm wondering if I can use that to blast these concrete stains away? I don't want to damage the surface or create some kind of chemical disaster, but I'm running out of options. If chlorine works, what's the right way to dilute it? And honestly, are there better alternatives that might actually get this mess clean without all the guesswork?…more

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Water Chemistry Easy 15 minutes 182 👍 0

Can I Use Pool pH Increaser in My Spa? Safe Chemical Guide

Noticed I'm always running low on spa pH increaser and wondering if this is a dumb question, but can I just use my pool's pH increaser instead? I have both a pool and a hot tub, and I noticed my spa's pH is running low. I have some pH increaser that I bought for my pool - can I use the same product in my hot tub, or do I need to buy separate chemicals?

The pool store didn't really explain if there's a difference between pool and spa chemicals, and I don't want to mess anything up. If I can use the same pH increaser, do I need to adjust how much I add since the hot tub is obviously much smaller than my pool?…more

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Heaters Medium 2-4 hours 172 👍 0

Do You Need a Pool Heater Bypass? Installation Guide

Before I connect my new pool heater to the system, it's making this weird whistling sound when water flows through and now I'm wondering if a bypass valve would fix it. The manufacturer's documentation mentions bypass considerations, but I need clarity on whether this is mandatory or optional equipment.

Specifically, I'm concerned about maintaining proper flow rates through the heating unit and having the ability to isolate the heater during routine maintenance procedures. What are the technical requirements and operational benefits of incorporating a bypass valve system into the heater plumbing layout?…more

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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

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Filters Easy 30 minutes 149 👍 0

Do I Need to Wash Pool Filter Sand? Complete Guide

After years of perfect pool maintenance, my filter sand suddenly turns cloudy and clogs up every time the temperature hits 85 degrees outside. The new sand I bought looks pretty dusty and I'm wondering if I need to clean it first before putting it in the filter system.

I'm really concerned about water quality and don't want to introduce anything harmful or make the water cloudy for the kids. Should I be washing this sand before installation, or is it ready to go straight from the bag? What's the safest approach here?…more

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Salt Water Medium 30 minutes 146 👍 0

Do Salt Water Pools Need Chemicals? Complete Guide

Our saltwater pool area reeks of that sharp chlorine smell every morning, which seems impossible since we were told these systems are basically chemical-free.

But now I'm reading conflicting information online. The pool store told me I'd still need to buy some chemicals, but I'm confused about what exactly. I thought the salt system was supposed to handle everything? What chemicals do salt water pools actually need, and why? I want to make sure I'm taking proper care of the pool and keeping the water safe for my family.…more

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Leaks Medium 2-4 hours for assessment 140 👍 0

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

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Filters Easy 30 minutes 140 👍 0

Can You Pressure Wash Pool Filters? Safe Cleaning Guide

Between my pool party this Saturday and getting completely conflicting advice on pressure washing cartridge versus DE filters, I'm running out of time to figure this out.

My current setup includes cartridge filters, but I'm considering switching to either DE or sand filtration depending on cleaning requirements.

What are the specific limitations and recommended procedures for pressure washing each filter type? I want to ensure I'm using appropriate PSI settings and techniques to avoid damaging the filtration media while achieving optimal cleaning results.…more

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Best Pool Lights

4.5 (19,800 reviews)

Filters Easy 15 minutes 132 👍 0

How to Tell If Your Pool Cartridge Filter Is Bad - 7 Signs

Nobody can explain why my test strips show perfect chemistry levels but my pool water looks like chocolate milk. Filter cartridge looks grayish and the pleats seem a bit beat up. Tried cleaning it but water quality isn't improving.

How do I know when it's actually time to replace the cartridge versus just needing a better cleaning? What should I be looking for?…more

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Above Ground Medium 4-6 hours 132 👍 0

Do You Need Sand for Above Ground Pool? Complete Guide

Already embarrassed to ask this, but why is everyone giving me completely different advice about whether I need sand under my first above ground pool?

I'm honestly pretty confused about what's actually required versus what's just recommended. Does it depend on the type of pool I have or the condition of my yard? I want to make sure I do this right since it's my first time, but I also don't want to spend money on sand if there are other options that work just as well.…more

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Winterizing Medium 2-3 days 127 👍 0

Do I Need to Clean My Pool Before Closing? Winter Prep Guide

Apparently my spring pool opening is eating through way more cash and weekends than it should because I keep screwing up these same winter prep steps. My pool has been maintained throughout the summer, but I'm uncertain about the specific cleaning requirements before adding winterizing chemicals and covering.

What are the essential cleaning steps I must complete before winterization? I'm particularly concerned about preventing algae formation and protecting my equipment from potential damage during the closed season. Should I focus on debris removal, water chemistry adjustment, or are there additional cleaning procedures that are critical for a successful spring reopening?…more

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Filters Medium 2-3 hours for proper sand preparation 126 👍 0

Can Pool Filter Sand Be Used in Aquarium? Safety Guide

Three minutes into shopping for aquarium sand at $15 per tiny bag, I remembered the 50-pound bag of pool filter sand sitting in my garage. They want $25 for a tiny bag of "aquarium sand" when I can get a 50-pound bag of pool filter sand at the hardware store for half that price. It looks like the same stuff to me - just sand, right?

Before I make the switch and potentially harm my fish, I want to make sure this is actually safe. Has anyone successfully used pool filter sand in their aquarium, or are there real differences I should be worried about? I'm all for DIY solutions to save money, but not at the expense of my fish's health.…more

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