Results for "cold climate pool"

Heaters Easy 10 minute read 167 👍 2

What's the Ideal Pool Temperature? Comfort, Science & Cost

Every summer it's the same argument. The kids climb out shivering and beg me to crank the heater, but I'm staring at the energy bill thinking about how short our Minnesota season is anyway. Is there an actual *right* temperature for a pool, or is it just personal preference? I keep hearing different numbers — Disney pools, the Olympics, swim lessons — and they're all over the place. What does the science actually say, and where's the sweet spot between happy kids and a heating bill I can live with?…more

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Maintenance Hard Multi-month project (design, permitting, construction) 156 👍 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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Winterizing Easy 2-4 hours 258 👍 0

Do I Need a Pool Cover? Winter & Summer Benefits Guide

Somewhere between dumping another fortune into pool chemicals and actually wanting to swim in my own backyard, I decided to grab a pool cover and handle this myself.

I've been looking into DIY solutions to cut down on maintenance costs, and I keep seeing mixed opinions about covers. Do they really make a difference with chemical usage and heating bills? I live in an area with cold winters, so I'm also wondering if I need different types of covers for different seasons. Just want to know if this is a legitimate way to save money or if I'm better off sticking with my current routine.…more

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Pump Problems Easy 45 minutes 386 👍 0

Should You Cover Your Pool Pump in Winter? Complete Guide

According to my pool pump manual I should cover it for winter, but that completely contradicts what three different pool technicians have told me.

I've already done the basic winterization steps but I'm worried about leaving expensive equipment exposed to the elements for months. Should I be covering my pump or not? And if so, what kind of cover works best? I don't want to make a costly mistake here.…more

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Maintenance Easy 15 minutes 1,178 👍 1

When Are Pools Open in Las Vegas? Year-Round Pool Season

My Vegas hotel's pool is supposedly "closed for winter" but I'm literally watching guests splash around in 70-degree weather right now. Do most hotels and resorts close pools during winter months like other places? Or does the desert climate keep them running all year?

Looking at both resort pools and maybe some residential options. Want to know if there's a specific season or if it's pretty much always pool weather out there.…more

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Above Ground Medium 4-6 hours for winterization 1,351 👍 0

Can You Leave Above Ground Pool in Winter? Complete Guide

The frost is creeping up the sides of my above ground pool right now and I'm staring at it wondering if I should tear this whole thing down or just leave it up all winter. I live in an area that gets pretty cold with some snow, and I'm not sure if my pool can handle it or if I'm just asking for a disaster come spring.

I've got one of those steel frame pools, not the super cheap inflatable kind. What do I need to do to winterize it properly? Or should I just bite the bullet and take it down? Really hoping someone can save me from hours of disassembly work!…more

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Winterizing Easy Research and decision: 2-3 hours 371 👍 0

Do I Need a Pool Cover? Winter Protection Requirements

Despite watching three neighbors deal with expensive freeze damage to their pools last winter, I'm still on the fence about whether my 20,000 gallon inground pool actually needs a cover. We live in a climate where temperatures drop below freezing for about 3-4 months of the year, and I currently spend a fortune on heating costs during shoulder seasons plus constantly dealing with leaves and debris that require daily skimming.

I've been going back and forth on this decision because of the upfront cost, but I'm curious about the long-term benefits. My current chemical usage seems excessive - I'm adding chlorine tablets twice weekly and shock treatment every 10 days just to maintain proper levels around 2-3 ppm. The constant debris also means my filtration system works overtime.

For those with experience, how much difference does a pool cover actually make in terms of chemical reduction, heating efficiency, and overall maintenance? Is it truly essential for winter protection in freezing climates, or more of a nice-to-have convenience feature?…more

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Heaters Medium Research and planning: 2-3 hours 354 👍 0

Do I Need a Pool Heater in Florida? What to Consider

Finally hit my budget limit this winter but can't justify spending $3,000+ on a pool heater when the water's dropping into the 60s — any cheaper solutions for the kids? We're in the Orlando area, and I've noticed that even though it's the 'sunshine state,' our pool water gets pretty chilly during the winter months - sometimes dropping into the 60s.

I want my children to be able to enjoy the pool year-round without shivering or getting too cold, which I worry could affect their swimming ability or even be unsafe. Do most Florida families really need pool heaters to keep the water at a comfortable temperature for kids, or is this just a luxury? I'm trying to figure out if this is a worthwhile investment for our family's safety and comfort.…more

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Heaters Medium 2-4 hours 251 👍 0

Electric Pool Heaters: Types, Costs & Installation Guide

I woke up to three completely different electric pool heater recommendations for my 20,000 gallon inground pool and now I'm more confused than ever. Some pool stores are pushing gas heaters hard, saying they're the only real option, but I don't have a gas line to my equipment pad and running one would be expensive. My neighbor mentioned something about electric heaters but wasn't sure if they actually work well. I've been researching online but getting mixed messages about whether electric pool heaters are even a viable option. Are electric pool heaters a real thing that actually work, or am I stuck having to run a gas line?…more

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Maintenance Medium 2-4 hours 355 👍 1

Do I Need to Shock My Pool in Winter? Complete Guide

Between the musty, swamp-like stench seeping through my pool cover and that weird chemical smell hitting me every time I walk by, I'm wondering if I should still be shocking it this winter.

I have a 20,000 gallon inground pool that I keep open year-round here in the Southeast, but I've heard conflicting advice about whether I need to shock as often in winter as I do in summer.

Right now my water temperature is around 55°F and my free chlorine levels have been holding steady at about 2.5 ppm. During summer I was shocking every two weeks religiously, but with the cooler temps and less usage, I'm wondering if I can scale back. Does the type of pool setup (open vs closed for winter) make a difference in shocking frequency? And should I be adjusting based on water temperature or just stick to my summer routine?…more

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Pump Problems Medium 2-3 hours 520 👍 0

Can I Leave Pool Pump Outside in Winter? Storage Guide

During freezing weather my pool pump starts making this bizarre clicking sound that I've never heard before, and I'm genuinely confused about what's causing it. We have young kids who love to explore everything in the backyard, and I want to make sure our pool pump will be safe sitting outside through the cold months.

I've heard horror stories about pumps getting damaged from freezing, which could lead to expensive repairs or worse - safety issues when we open the pool next spring for the kids. Should I be taking it inside somewhere, or is there a way to properly protect it outdoors? We live in an area that definitely gets below freezing, so I'm particularly concerned about freeze damage.…more

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Above Ground Medium 2-4 hours 583 👍 0

Can I Leave My Above Ground Pool Empty? Winter Storage Guide

The brutal freeze last winter that cracked my neighbor's liner has me questioning whether I should abandon my usual partial drain approach and go completely empty this year.

My pool has been up for three seasons now, and I've always done partial draining and winterization with chemicals, but this year I'm wondering if it would be easier to just empty it entirely.

I'm concerned about potential damage to the pool structure if I leave it empty for several months. The pool sits on leveled ground with a sand base, and we get pretty harsh winters here with freezing temperatures. I've heard conflicting advice - some people say it's fine to empty it completely, while others warn about structural issues. What are the real risks of leaving an above ground pool empty for an extended period, and would I be better off sticking with my usual winterization routine?…more

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Pump Problems Easy 15 minutes to set up winter schedule 336 👍 0

Should You Run Your Pool Pump in Winter? Complete Guide

Pulled the cover off my pool this winter and realized I have absolutely no clue whether I'm supposed to keep this pump running or not. The pool store told me I still need to run the pump during winter, but they didn't really explain how long or when.

I live in an area where it gets cold but doesn't freeze every day. Do I need to run it the same 8 hours I've been doing all summer? And what happens if we do get a freeze - should I do anything different? I really don't want to mess up the equipment since I'm still learning all this stuff.…more

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Above Ground Medium 3-4 hours 1,159 👍 1

Should You Drain Above Ground Pool for Winter? Complete Guide

Despite having my winter prep checklist ready and being determined to winterize this above ground pool myself — just need to nail down the right water level for safe storage. I've seen conflicting information about whether to completely drain the pool or maintain partial water levels during freezing months.

Specifically, I need technical guidance on optimal water height relative to skimmer and return line positions, and the structural implications of different drainage approaches. What are the engineering considerations regarding liner integrity and ground pressure effects during winter storage?…more

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Above Ground Medium 4-6 hours initial setup, monthly maintenance 462 👍 0

Can You Leave Above Ground Pool Up All Year? Winter Guide

Halfway through winter prep I've tried partial winterization, full chemical shutdown, and running it with a heater — but I'm still getting conflicting advice about leaving my above ground pool up year-round.

Is it actually possible to leave my above ground pool up through winter and do the winterization myself? What really needs to be done to prevent damage, and can I skip some of these expensive add-ons they keep pushing? I'd rather invest time than keep throwing money at the pool store every season.…more

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