Results for "year-round pools"

Maintenance Hard Multi-month project (design, permitting, construction) 51 👍 1

Are Natural Bio Pools Worth It? Costs, Pros & Cons

Looked into this after my neighbor started talking about something called a 'bio pool' or natural swimming pool, and I feel a little silly that I had never heard of it before. Apparently you build a separate zone full of aquatic plants and gravel that cleans the water biologically instead of using chlorine — and I'll be honest, the idea of not dragging home jugs of chemicals every other week sounds pretty amazing. My backyard in Wisconsin is a decent size and I have an existing conventional pool, but our winters are brutal and everything freezes solid.

Is this actually a real thing people are doing, or is it more of a niche experiment? I'm curious how the plant zone actually purifies the water, whether it stays clear and safe to swim in, and whether a cold climate like mine would completely kill the concept. Also, is it realistic to convert what I already have, or would I basically be starting from scratch? I'm worried I'm missing some obvious downside that makes this impractical for most homeowners.…more

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Filters Easy 15 minutes 351 👍 0

How Long Do Pool Filter Balls Last? Complete Lifespan Guide

About the third time this season my pool filter balls have turned into a cloudy water nightmare and I'm done playing the guessing game! I switched to filter balls a few months ago hoping they'd be the magic solution, but now I'm wondering if I'm supposed to replace them regularly or what. My pool gets pretty heavy use during summer with the kids and their friends constantly jumping in.

I've been trying to stay on top of cleaning them, but honestly some weeks I forget and go longer between cleanings. Are these things supposed to last forever or do they wear out? I just want to know how long I can expect them to work effectively before I need to buy new ones.…more

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Filters Easy 30 minutes 251 👍 0

How to Clean Pool Filters: Complete DIY Cleaning Guide

Replaced my pool filter cartridge but now I'm standing in the pool supply store aisle staring at all these cleaning products with no clue which ones I actually need. I've got a cartridge filter system and I'm honestly not sure how often I should be cleaning them or what the actual process looks like.

I keep seeing conflicting info online - some people say weekly, others say monthly. And I have no clue if I'm supposed to just spray them off or if there's more involved. Would love some straightforward guidance on timing and the actual steps so I don't mess anything up!…more

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Maintenance Easy 30 minutes 321 👍 1

How Long Do Inground Pools Last? Complete Lifespan Guide

Walked into three pool showrooms with my checkbook ready, but now I need the straight truth about which inground pools actually last before I commit. I'm looking at concrete, vinyl, and fiberglass pools, but each one claims theirs is superior.

I don't want to make a $50k+ decision and then have to replace or major renovate in 10 years. I'm willing to do proper maintenance myself to save on service costs, but I need to know realistic lifespans for each type. Which pool materials actually last and which ones are just marketing hype?…more

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Above Ground Medium 15 minutes 344 👍 0

Do Inground Pools Need Liners? Complete Guide 2026

Wondering if my pool renovation is draining my savings account because I keep second-guessing whether my inground pool actually needs a liner. My neighbor just had to replace his pool liner after like 10 years and it was a huge hassle, but my other friend says her concrete pool doesn't have a liner at all?

So which types of inground pools actually need liners and which ones don't? And if I do end up with one that needs a liner, how often am I looking at replacing the thing? Trying to figure out the long-term maintenance costs before I commit to anything!…more

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Salt Water Easy 5 minutes 282 👍 0

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

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Above Ground Medium 15 minutes reading 263 👍 0

Do Pools Need Liners? Complete Guide for All Pool Types

Noticed my pool contractor is pushing a $3,000 liner upgrade during installation — is this actually necessary or just an expensive upsell? Some people say all pools need them, others say only certain types do.

What's the actual rule here? Which pools require liners and which use something else instead?…more

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Above Ground Easy 15 minutes 942 👍 0

How Long Do Above Ground Pools Last? Lifespan Guide 2026

Every YouTube video promised their above ground pool would last 20+ years, but now I'm drowning in conflicting lifespan advice and more confused than ever. I've been looking at steel, aluminum, and resin options and they're all pretty different price-wise.

Before I commit, I'd love to know how long each type typically lasts? Like, are we talking a few years or more like a decade? And does the material really make that big of a difference, or is it more about how well you take care of it? Don't want to cheap out now and regret it later when I'm dealing with rust or cracks!…more

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Salt Water Medium Research and decision: 2-4 weeks 194 👍 0

Do People Have Salt Water Pools? Complete Guide & Benefits

Last time I walked into my pool area, that eye-watering chemical smell hit me like a wall and got me wondering if saltwater pools really eliminate all this harsh chlorine odor.

I'm getting tired of constantly adding chlorine to my pool and dealing with that harsh chemical smell. My neighbor mentioned something about saltwater systems but I honestly don't really understand how they work. Are they actually better than regular pools or just different?…more

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Salt Water Easy 15 minutes 206 👍 0

Do Salt Water Pools Use Chlorine? The Complete Truth

Since getting my salt water pool, I've been too embarrassed to ask this probably obvious question: does it actually use chlorine or not? Some say salt water pools are chlorine-free, others say they still have chlorine. Which is it?

Looking at switching from traditional chlorine but want to understand what I'm actually getting into. Does the salt system eliminate chlorine completely or not?…more

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Above Ground Medium varies by finish type 248 👍 0

Do Concrete Pools Need Liners? Complete Guide to Finishes

Somewhere between a few tiny wet spots around my concrete pool's shallow end last month and now watching my water level drop daily, I'm wondering if I need a liner system. Unlike vinyl pools that use liner systems, concrete pools appear to use different waterproofing methods, but I want to understand the technical specifications.

What type of waterproof finish is required for concrete pools to prevent water loss and provide proper surface functionality? I'm particularly interested in understanding the different finish options available and their performance characteristics for long-term water retention.…more

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Water Chemistry Medium 30 minutes 200 👍 0

Do Indoor Pools Need Cyanuric Acid? Pool Stabilizer Guide

Standing in front of my indoor pool with a tight budget — is cyanuric acid actually necessary or can I skip this $30+ expense the pool store keeps pushing? Last time I was there, they insisted I needed cyanuric acid for my indoor pool and tried to upsell me on their "premium stabilizer package" for like $60.

My pool is completely indoors with no direct sunlight hitting it. I've been managing fine without CYA so far, but I'm wondering if there's actually a legitimate reason to use it? I'm all for DIY pool maintenance and cutting out unnecessary expenses, but I also don't want to mess up my water chemistry if stabilizer actually serves a purpose indoors.…more

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Salt Water Medium 45 minutes 236 👍 0

Do Salt Water Pools Stay Clean? Complete Maintenance Guide

Already three weeks into this rental with a salt water pool I've never maintained before and getting nasty algae blooms plus cloudy water. My generator is running fine and producing chlorine, but somehow I still have to test chemicals, brush walls, and fight green water.

What am I missing here? Does the salt water system actually keep the pool clean on its own, or is there still a bunch of regular maintenance I need to be doing? I feel like I got sold a bill of goods about how "easy" salt water pools are supposed to be.…more

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Above Ground Easy 30 minutes 387 👍 1

Do You Need to Shock Above Ground Pools? Complete Guide

I'm wondering if I'm about to waste my money on pool shock for my above ground pool since I keep getting mixed advice on whether it's even necessary. Some people tell me that above ground pools don't need to be shocked as often as inground pools, while others say they need the same treatment. My chlorine levels have been staying around 2-3 ppm with regular chlorine tablets, but I've noticed the water getting a bit hazy after heavy use on weekends.

I'm wondering if above ground pools have different shocking requirements compared to inground pools, or if the maintenance routine should be exactly the same? Should I be shocking weekly during swim season, or is there a different schedule I should follow for an above ground setup?…more

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Salt Water Medium 30 minutes 274 👍 0

Do Saltwater Pools Need Chemicals? Yes - Here's What You Need

Despite having a 15,000 gallon saltwater pool with a functioning salt system, the pool store keeps pushing $200+ worth of chemicals every month. They keep telling me I need all these pH adjusters, alkalinity boosters, and other expensive stuff on top of the salt. I thought the whole point of going saltwater was to avoid dealing with a bunch of chemicals!

I'm looking to handle this myself and cut down on costs, but I want to make sure I'm not missing something important. Does the salt chlorine generator really only make chlorine? What other chemicals do I actually NEED to keep my water balanced, and what can I skip?…more

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