Results for "plumbing"

Filters Medium 2-3 hours 557 👍 0

Pool Filter Balls vs Sand: Complete Replacement Guide

Noticed my pool filter isn't performing like it used to — can't afford professional service right now, so is switching from sand to filter balls a DIY job under $100? The pool store mentioned they might work better than traditional sand, but I want to make sure before I make the switch.

Are filter balls actually a good replacement for sand in my filter system? I'm curious about things like how well they filter compared to sand, if they're easier to work with, and whether the maintenance routine changes at all. Any guidance would be really helpful!…more

Read answer

Water Chemistry Easy 15 minutes 325 👍 0

Can I Use Pool Chlorine Tablets in My Toilet? Safety Guide

Standing in my garage with a bucket of leftover trichlor tablets from last season and wondering if these can pull double duty as toilet bowl cleaners. My thinking is that chlorine is chlorine, right? I've seen those blue toilet bowl tablets that slowly dissolve and keep things clean, so I figured maybe I could just drop one of my 3-inch pool tablets in the tank to do the same thing.

Before I try this, I want to make sure it's actually safe for my plumbing and won't cause any problems. Are pool chlorine tablets too strong for toilet use? I don't want to damage my pipes or create any health hazards, but it seems like it could be a good way to use up these extra tablets instead of letting them go to waste.…more

Read answer

Salt Water Medium 45 minutes 312 👍 0

How to Know If Your Pool Salt Cell Is Bad - 7 Warning Signs

Opened up my new place's pool equipment for the first time and this salt cell has crusty white buildup everywhere while chlorine levels keep tanking.

What are the telltale signs that a salt cell is actually failing? I don't want to replace it unnecessarily, but I also don't want to keep throwing money at chemicals if the real problem is a dead cell. Are there specific things I should check or test to know for sure?…more

Read answer

Product Ranking 8 compared

Best Pool Covers

4.5 (11,300 reviews)

Pump Problems Easy 15 minutes 289 👍 0

Can You Run Pool Pump Without Filter? Risks & Solutions

Somewhere between my husband questioning why our pool pump is running without a filter cartridge and my growing panic, I'm wondering if I'm actually damaging something. My filter cartridge is completely clogged and I need to replace it, but my kids are asking to swim this afternoon. I'm wondering if I can just run the pump without any filter for a few hours until I can get to the pool store.

I know this probably isn't ideal, but would it cause any serious damage to the pump or create unsafe water conditions? I don't want to risk my children's safety, but I also don't want to damage our equipment if there's a way to manage this temporarily.…more

Read answer

Heaters Medium 2-4 hours 282 👍 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

Read answer

Maintenance Medium Planning phase - 1 hour assessment 277 👍 0

How Long Can a Pool Be Empty? Safe Duration & Risks

Replaced my old above-ground pool with this inground concrete setup that needs major repairs, but I've never dealt with draining one before and I'm worried about structural damage. The pool will be without water for potentially several weeks while contractors complete the work.

What are the specific time limits before hydrostatic pressure becomes a concern? Are there differences in safe empty duration between inground concrete pools versus above ground pools with vinyl liners? I want to avoid any structural damage or liner issues during this extended maintenance period.…more

Read answer

Salt Water Medium 5-10 days with mail-in service 263 👍 0

Can Pool Salt Cells Be Rebuilt? Complete Repair Guide

Woke up to a dead salt cell again — thing works flawlessly when it's under 85 degrees but won't generate a drop of chlorine once we hit the 90s. A local pool tech mentioned that these cells can sometimes be rebuilt by replacing the internal titanium plates, which would cost significantly less than buying a brand new unit.

I'm worried about whether a rebuilt cell would be as reliable and safe for my kids as a new one. The housing on our current cell looks fine, no cracks or damage that I can see. Has anyone had experience with rebuilding salt cells? I want to make sure we're not compromising water quality or safety just to save money. What should I consider before deciding between rebuilding versus replacing entirely?…more

Read answer

Salt Water Medium 2-4 hours for complete winterization 242 👍 0

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

Read answer

Pump Problems Medium 30 minutes 237 👍 0

Can You Run Pool Pump Without Skimmer? Safe Solutions

Every pool owner seems to swear by replacement skimmer baskets, but I'm wondering if I'm about to waste money on this cracked assembly replacement? I have a 20,000 gallon inground pool with both a main drain and skimmer line feeding into the pump. The skimmer is currently letting air into the system and causing the pump to lose prime intermittently.

I'm wondering if I can temporarily close off the skimmer line completely and just run the pump using suction from the main drain until I can fix the skimmer properly. Will this provide adequate circulation for my pool size, and are there any risks I should be aware of? I'm concerned about whether the main drain alone can handle all the filtration needs and if this might cause any damage to my pump or affect water quality during this temporary period.…more

Read answer

Winterizing Medium 4-8 hours 234 👍 0

Do I Need to Winterize My Pool? Complete Regional Guide 2024

My 20,000 gallon inground pool looked fine yesterday, but walked out this morning and spotted ice crystals forming around the edges that definitely weren't there last night. I live in central Pennsylvania where we definitely get freezing temperatures, but I'm trying to figure out the right strategy.

I've been maintaining my pool chemistry pretty well - chlorine stays around 2-3 ppm, pH is balanced at 7.4, and alkalinity is good at 100 ppm. The pool has been crystal clear all season. But now that October is here and nighttime temps are starting to drop into the 40s, I'm wondering what level of winterization is actually necessary for my climate zone.

Do I need to drain the pool, blow out all the lines, and do the full winterization process? Or are there different approaches depending on how cold it gets in my area? I want to make sure I protect my equipment and plumbing from freeze damage, but I also don't want to do more work than necessary if my climate doesn't require it.…more

Read answer

Maintenance Easy varies 231 👍 0

Do You Need a License to Clean Pools? Requirements by State

Somewhere in the paperwork mess the previous owner left behind, I discovered they were running an unlicensed pool cleaning business right out of this house. But I'm completely lost on the legal side of things and don't want to get shut down before I even start.

Do I need some kind of special license just to clean pools? What about when I'm adding chemicals or fixing pumps and filters? I've heard different things from different people and I'm getting conflicting information about business permits too. Really hoping someone can break down what's actually required because I'm ready to make this career change happen!…more

Read answer

Product Ranking 8 compared

Best Robotic Pool Cleaners

4.6 (28,500 reviews)

Leaks Medium 2-4 hours for inspection and testing 229 👍 0

Can Pool Leak Through Tile Grout? Expert Detection Guide

Woke up to my pool losing another 3 inches this week from my 20,000-gallon inground — before I jackhammer the tile grout, will homeowner's insurance cover this mess? I've checked all the obvious spots like the skimmer, return lines, and pump connections, but haven't found any obvious leaks.

What's got me wondering about the grout is that I've noticed some areas where it looks cracked or slightly deteriorated, especially on the north side of the pool where we get the most freeze-thaw action during winter. The tile and grout are probably 8-10 years old now. My water chemistry has been pretty stable - chlorine around 2-3 ppm, pH 7.4, alkalinity 120 ppm - so I don't think chemical imbalance is causing rapid deterioration.

Is it actually possible for pool water to leak through damaged grout at the waterline? I'm trying to figure out if I should focus my leak detection efforts there or keep looking elsewhere. The water level seems to stabilize when it drops below the tile line, which makes me think the grout theory might be on the right track.…more

Read answer

Leaks Medium 45 minutes 228 👍 0

Can Pool Jets Leak? Diagnosis & Repair Guide

I turned to a second opinion after my pool contractor quoted $3,000 to replumb my entire return system when I suspect these leaking jets might just need a simple repair. I keep losing water and can't pinpoint where it's going. The jets seem like the obvious suspect since they're these openings in the wall, but I honestly have no clue how they're put together or what could go wrong with them.

Is it even possible for the actual jets to leak? And if so, where would the leak typically happen - like around the edges where they meet the pool wall, or somewhere else entirely?…more

Read answer

Pump Problems Easy 15 minutes 220 👍 0

Do Variable Speed Pool Pumps Last Longer? Expert Analysis

Noticed this is the third pool pump that's died on me in five years and I'm done guessing whether upgrading to variable speed will actually give me better longevity. While the upfront investment is significantly higher than single speed units, I need to understand the actual lifespan differences between these pump types to calculate true ROI.

Specifically, I'm looking for data on operational longevity - how many years can I realistically expect from a variable speed pump compared to a traditional single speed unit? Are there mechanical advantages to variable speed operation that translate to extended equipment life, or is this primarily marketing?…more

Read answer

Leaks Medium 2-4 hours for assessment 214 👍 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

Read answer

Loading more Q&A...

You've seen all 121 Q&A articles!