Pool Glossary: SLAM, Sanitizer, PSI, CYA & Common Pool Terms
I keep seeing pool terms and abbreviations like SLAM, CYA, FC, PSI, sanitizer, backwash, and shock. What do they mean in plain English?…more
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How to clean your Intex Easy Set Pool’s filter #howto #diy #pool
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💦Pool Help 27 ● ✅ Solved! Pool Pump Won’t Prime! How to Prime Pool Pump!
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How to WINTERIZE Your above ground pool? The best winter closing kit I’ve ever had!!! #pool
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Can Salt Water Pools Be Heated? Complete Heating Guide
Halfway through summer my salt water pool heater works perfectly when it's below 80 degrees outside, but shuts down completely once temperatures hit the mid-80s. My current setup uses a standard salt water chlorine generator, and I'm concerned about potential interference or operational conflicts when adding a heating system.
Specifically, I need to understand which heating methods work effectively with salt water systems - whether gas, electric, heat pump, or solar options present any technical limitations. Are there material compatibility requirements I should consider, particularly regarding corrosion resistance with the salt water chemistry?
Looking for precise guidance on heating system selection and any modifications needed to ensure reliable operation with my existing salt water generator setup.…more
Specifically, I need to understand which heating methods work effectively with salt water systems - whether gas, electric, heat pump, or solar options present any technical limitations. Are there material compatibility requirements I should consider, particularly regarding corrosion resistance with the salt water chemistry?
Looking for precise guidance on heating system selection and any modifications needed to ensure reliable operation with my existing salt water generator setup.…more
How Far to Lower Water When Closing Your Pool
Three weeks ago my husband and I bought our first house with an inground vinyl pool, and now everyone is telling us we need to close it for winter — but nobody can agree on exactly what that means. We have a mesh safety cover, and I've gotten completely opposite advice about how much water to drain out before we put it on. One neighbor says drop it below the skimmer, another says below the returns, and my pool store guy shrugged and said we might not even need to lower it at all with a mesh cover?
I honestly have no idea what any of those terms even mean yet, or where those parts are on my pool. I'm afraid of draining too much and damaging the liner, or not draining enough and having pipes freeze and crack over the winter. Is there a standard answer here, or does it really depend on what type of cover you're using?
Also — a few people have mentioned that the rules are different for above-ground pools and solid covers, and now I'm even more confused. Can someone break this down in plain language for a complete first-timer?…more
I honestly have no idea what any of those terms even mean yet, or where those parts are on my pool. I'm afraid of draining too much and damaging the liner, or not draining enough and having pipes freeze and crack over the winter. Is there a standard answer here, or does it really depend on what type of cover you're using?
Also — a few people have mentioned that the rules are different for above-ground pools and solid covers, and now I'm even more confused. Can someone break this down in plain language for a complete first-timer?…more
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Can You Filter Pool Water to Drink? Safe Methods & Risks
Replaced my emergency water storage with a pool filtration system idea since shortages are coming — but am I about to waste money on something unsafe? My pool is about 20,000 gallons and I maintain it with standard chlorine tablets, algaecide, and pH balancers. The chlorine levels are usually around 2-3 ppm, and I add shock treatment weekly.
I've seen some advanced water filtration systems advertised that claim to remove chemicals and contaminants. Would something like reverse osmosis or activated carbon filtration be able to remove all the pool chemicals like chlorine, cyanuric acid, and other sanitizers to make it safe for drinking? I'm concerned about the health risks but need to understand if there are any reliable methods that could work in an emergency situation.…more
I've seen some advanced water filtration systems advertised that claim to remove chemicals and contaminants. Would something like reverse osmosis or activated carbon filtration be able to remove all the pool chemicals like chlorine, cyanuric acid, and other sanitizers to make it safe for drinking? I'm concerned about the health risks but need to understand if there are any reliable methods that could work in an emergency situation.…more
Do Salt Water Pools Freeze? Winter Protection Guide
Between the $800 winterizing quote I just got and hearing horror stories about frozen saltwater pools, I'm wondering if there's anything special I need to know before winter hits.
The pool store told me that salt water systems are different from regular chlorine pools, but they didn't really explain much about winterization.
Do salt water pools actually freeze like regular pools? I've heard conflicting things - some people say the salt prevents freezing, others say it doesn't matter. I want to make sure I'm preparing properly and not going to come back to any nasty surprises in the spring. Any guidance would be really appreciated!…more
The pool store told me that salt water systems are different from regular chlorine pools, but they didn't really explain much about winterization.
Do salt water pools actually freeze like regular pools? I've heard conflicting things - some people say the salt prevents freezing, others say it doesn't matter. I want to make sure I'm preparing properly and not going to come back to any nasty surprises in the spring. Any guidance would be really appreciated!…more
How Salt Water Pools Stay Clean: Complete Chlorination Guide
My neighborhood pool party is in two weeks and I'm panicking about whether to convert my 20,000 gallon inground pool to salt water since I have no clue how these systems actually work. I've been managing a traditional chlorine pool for years, manually adding liquid chlorine and monitoring my free chlorine levels (usually keeping them between 2-4 ppm), but I'm curious about how salt water pools generate their own sanitizer.
From what I've read, there's some kind of salt chlorine generator involved, but I don't fully grasp the process. Does the salt itself clean the water, or is there still chlorine being produced somehow? I want to make sure I understand the complete chlorination system before making the investment, including what kind of ongoing maintenance and chemistry monitoring would be required to keep everything running properly.…more
From what I've read, there's some kind of salt chlorine generator involved, but I don't fully grasp the process. Does the salt itself clean the water, or is there still chlorine being produced somehow? I want to make sure I understand the complete chlorination system before making the investment, including what kind of ongoing maintenance and chemistry monitoring would be required to keep everything running properly.…more
How Pool Filters Work: Sand, Cartridge & DE Filter Guide
Pool store tried explaining the difference between sand, cartridge, and DE filters for 20 minutes and I walked out more confused than when I went in. My sand filter is dying and I need to pick a replacement but every type seems to have major trade-offs. How do these three actually compare?…more
Where to Drain Pool Water When Winterizing
Nobody told me this part would be confusing. When I started dropping the water level to close the pool for winter, I realized I had absolutely no idea where that water is actually supposed to go. My pool is an inground, and right now I've got a submersible pump running — but I keep stopping because I'm genuinely not sure if I'm about to flood my neighbor's yard or create a problem with the municipality.
The water has to go somewhere, obviously, but there seem to be a few options and I can't figure out which one is actually correct. Is it okay to run it out to the street drain? Can I just let it soak into the yard? Or is there a hookup to the sewer I should be using instead?
I want to do this right and not get a fine or cause a drainage mess. Any guidance would be really helpful before I crank the pump back on.…more
The water has to go somewhere, obviously, but there seem to be a few options and I can't figure out which one is actually correct. Is it okay to run it out to the street drain? Can I just let it soak into the yard? Or is there a hookup to the sewer I should be using instead?
I want to do this right and not get a fine or cause a drainage mess. Any guidance would be really helpful before I crank the pump back on.…more
Do Salt Water Pools Have Chlorine? Yes - Here's Why
Already asked my neighbor about her "chlorine-free" saltwater pool, but mine definitely has chlorine — what am I missing here? I have a 20,000 gallon inground pool and I'm considering converting to a salt water system because I thought it meant no more dealing with chlorine chemicals. My neighbor has been telling me that salt water pools are "chlorine-free" and that's why they're gentler on skin and eyes.
But when I was talking to a pool supply store, the guy mentioned something about salt water pools still having chlorine, just generated differently? I'm confused because if there's still chlorine involved, what's the actual difference? I've been manually adding liquid chlorine to my pool for years and my levels typically run around 2-3 ppm, but I'm tired of the constant chemical additions and storage issues.
Can someone explain whether salt water pools actually contain chlorine or not? And if they do, how does that work with the salt system?…more
But when I was talking to a pool supply store, the guy mentioned something about salt water pools still having chlorine, just generated differently? I'm confused because if there's still chlorine involved, what's the actual difference? I've been manually adding liquid chlorine to my pool for years and my levels typically run around 2-3 ppm, but I'm tired of the constant chemical additions and storage issues.
Can someone explain whether salt water pools actually contain chlorine or not? And if they do, how does that work with the salt system?…more
How Pool Salt Cells Work: Complete Guide to Salt Water Generation
Wondering why my salt cell's red blinking light contradicts what the pool store tech said about it still producing chlorine normally? What actually happens when electricity hits the salt water? How do the titanium plates convert salt into chlorine?
Looking for the technical process - not just 'it makes chlorine' but the actual chemical breakdown and how the sanitizer gets produced automatically.…more
Looking for the technical process - not just 'it makes chlorine' but the actual chemical breakdown and how the sanitizer gets produced automatically.…more
Do I Need to Winterize My Above Ground Pool? Complete Guide
Standing at the pool store listening to this guy insist I need to drop hundreds on winterizing chemicals and equipment for my above ground pool when I'm not even convinced it's necessary.
The guy at the pool store mentioned something about winterizing when I was buying chemicals last week, but I didn't want to seem clueless so I just nodded along. I live in the Midwest where it definitely gets cold in winter - like below freezing for months. Is winterizing actually necessary for above ground pools, or is it just something people do to be extra cautious? I'm trying to figure out what I absolutely need to do versus what's just nice to have.…more
The guy at the pool store mentioned something about winterizing when I was buying chemicals last week, but I didn't want to seem clueless so I just nodded along. I live in the Midwest where it definitely gets cold in winter - like below freezing for months. Is winterizing actually necessary for above ground pools, or is it just something people do to be extra cautious? I'm trying to figure out what I absolutely need to do versus what's just nice to have.…more
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How Pool Skimmers Work: Complete Step-by-Step Guide
Walked out to check my pool skimmer this morning and I'm staring at all these mysterious parts with zero clue how they work together. They keep pitching fancy skimmer upgrades and I don't even know how my current skimmer is supposed to work in the first place.
I see leaves and bugs floating on the surface and sometimes they get sucked into that rectangular opening, but other times debris just sits there. Is there something I should be doing differently, or is this normal? I'd rather understand the basics before these salespeople convince me I need to spend hundreds on upgrades.
Basically, what's the step-by-step process of how water and debris move through a skimmer system? I want to know if mine is working properly or if there's a DIY fix I can try first.…more
I see leaves and bugs floating on the surface and sometimes they get sucked into that rectangular opening, but other times debris just sits there. Is there something I should be doing differently, or is this normal? I'd rather understand the basics before these salespeople convince me I need to spend hundreds on upgrades.
Basically, what's the step-by-step process of how water and debris move through a skimmer system? I want to know if mine is working properly or if there's a DIY fix I can try first.…more
How Pool Skimmers Work: Complete Guide to Pool Circulation
About to drop serious cash on a new skimmer system for my 20,000 gallon inground pool, but I'm clueless about how these things actually work — am I getting ripped off? Sometimes I see leaves and oils getting pulled in, and there's a basket that I empty, but I'd love a complete explanation of what's happening from start to finish. Does the skimmer work differently depending on pump speed or water level?…more
Do You Have to Cover a Salt Water Pool? Requirements Guide
Standing in front of my saltwater pool after following three conflicting YouTube tutorials about covers, I'm now more confused than when I started. I keep hearing mixed opinions - some neighbors swear by covers while others never bother.
I'm mainly wondering if there are any actual requirements I need to follow, and what the real benefits are beyond just keeping leaves out. Also, if I do decide to cover it, is there anything special I need to know about winterizing a salt water system? Don't want to accidentally mess up my salt cell or anything expensive like that!…more
I'm mainly wondering if there are any actual requirements I need to follow, and what the real benefits are beyond just keeping leaves out. Also, if I do decide to cover it, is there anything special I need to know about winterizing a salt water system? Don't want to accidentally mess up my salt cell or anything expensive like that!…more
How to Winterize Your Pool: Complete Step-by-Step Guide
Tried winterizing my pool last week using online guides, but algae is already forming — did I screw up the process somehow? What's the proper order? Chemistry first or cleaning? How low should water go? What chemicals do I need?
Don't want to mess this up and deal with a green swamp come spring. Last year skipped some steps and regretted it.…more
Don't want to mess this up and deal with a green swamp come spring. Last year skipped some steps and regretted it.…more