Results for "pool diagnosis"

Pump Problems Medium 15-30 minutes 324 👍 0

How to Reset Pentair Variable Speed Pool Pump - Complete Guide

Pulled into my driveway after work and realized our Pentair variable speed pump is throwing constant error messages with Saturday's pool party just days away. It keeps throwing error codes and the speeds seem all wonky - like it's not responding to the programmed settings at all. I've tried adjusting the speed programs but nothing seems to stick.

I'm hoping a good reset might fix this mess before I have to call a tech out. I know there's got to be a way to do a complete system reset on these things, but I want to make sure I do it right. What's the proper procedure to fully reset one of these pumps and get it back to working normally?…more

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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

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Above Ground Medium 2-4 hours 231 👍 0

Above Ground Pool Problems: Complete Troubleshooting Guide

Our above ground pool faces the exact same maddening issues every single spring, and we're tired of getting ripped off by overpriced pool store "solutions. Between overpriced chemicals and costly service calls, I'm looking to become more self-sufficient with pool maintenance.

My pool seems to have different issues throughout the season - sometimes the water looks off, other times the pump isn't working right, and occasionally I notice problems with the liner or walls. Rather than guessing or getting upsold every time, I'd love a systematic way to figure out what's actually wrong so I can tackle these problems myself and save some money.…more

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Best Robotic Pool Cleaners

4.6 (28,500 reviews)

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

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Water Chemistry Medium 2-3 hours for water correction 225 👍 0

Can Pool Chemicals Cause a Rash? Complete Guide & Solutions

Last week my kids broke out in red, itchy rashes after swimming, and I'm worried the pool chemicals might be dangerous - should I keep them out? Red, itchy patches on my arms and chest after getting out. Is this from the chlorine or other chemicals? Water looks clear but maybe something's off with the balance. What should I test for and how do I fix this?…more

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Above Ground Medium 30-45 minutes 220 👍 0

Can You Clean Pool Liner with Bleach? Safe Methods & Tips

Halfway through cleaning my new vinyl liner with the same bleach method that worked perfectly on my old above-ground pool, I'm wondering if I'm damaging it. They always push these expensive chemicals and act like regular household products will destroy my pool. I've got some stains and algae buildup on my vinyl liner that need attention, and I'm wondering if I can just use regular bleach to clean it.

I know bleach is basically chlorine, which is already in my pool, but I want to make sure I won't damage the liner if I use it directly. Has anyone successfully cleaned their pool liner with household bleach? If so, do I need to dilute it or can I use it straight from the bottle? Looking for some honest DIY advice from people who aren't trying to upsell me!…more

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Water Chemistry Easy 30 minutes 211 👍 0

How to Lower Pool pH: Safe Methods & Dosing Guide 2024

I got my pool pH sitting at 8.2-8.4 despite following every YouTube tutorial on lowering it - somehow I'm just making things worse by randomly dumping pH decreaser. I'm worried I'm going to mess something up even worse.

What's the proper way to bring pH down safely? I have a 15,000 gallon pool and I want to do this right for once. Should I use the liquid stuff or the powder? And how much should I actually be adding? I'm done with the guesswork - I need a real plan that actually works.…more

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Heaters Medium varies by setup 207 👍 0

How Long Pool Heaters Take to Heat Up - Complete Guide

After years of relying on my old gas heater's predictable 24-hour heating schedule, this new heat pump is throwing me completely off track. They keep pushing expensive systems without giving me straight answers about actual heating performance. I need to know the real deal on how long different heater types actually take to warm up a pool.

Specifically, what's the realistic heating rate for gas heaters versus heat pumps? I keep hearing conflicting info and I'm trying to make an informed decision without getting upsold on features I don't need. Just want honest numbers on temperature rise per hour so I can figure out what works for my situation and budget.…more

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Above Ground Medium 4-6 hours 206 👍 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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Pump Problems Medium 45 minutes 194 👍 0

Do I Need a New Pool Pump? Signs & Replacement Guide

Spent three hours getting completely different advice about my 9-year-old pool pump—neighbor says it just needs cleaning, pool store wants to sell me a replacement, and YouTube's giving me five conflicting solutions. It's making some grinding noises when it starts up, and I noticed a small puddle of water forming near the motor housing after it runs. The pump still seems to be circulating water and maintaining decent flow, but I'm worried these issues might get worse.

I got a quote from a local pool service company and they said repairs would cost around $350, while a new comparable pump would run about $600-700 installed. The pump has been reliable overall, but I'm wondering if I should just bite the bullet and replace it now, or if these are minor issues that are worth fixing. What are the key signs that indicate it's time for a full replacement rather than trying to repair an aging pump?…more

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Heaters Medium 45 minutes 189 👍 0

How Solar Pool Heaters Work: Diagnosis & Troubleshooting

According to what I spotted this morning, my solar heater panels are just sitting there doing absolutely nothing while every "expert" keeps pushing gas systems instead. They keep pushing these pricey gas heaters and telling me solar is "complicated" - probably because there's less markup for them.

I want to understand the actual process of how solar pool heaters function before I make any decisions. Do they really just use the sun's energy somehow? I'm hoping to find a more cost-effective heating solution and maybe even explore some DIY options instead of getting ripped off again.…more

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Product Ranking 8 compared

Best Pool Heaters

4.4 (8,900 reviews)

Above Ground Medium 30 minutes 188 👍 0

Do All Pools Need Liners? Pool Types and Liner Requirements

During my pool consultation, three different contractors gave me completely opposite answers about needing a liner, and now I'm wondering if someone's trying to upsell me.

I'm considering several options including above-ground pools, concrete inground pools, fiberglass shells, and even looked into natural swimming pools. Some contractors are telling me that every pool needs a liner, while others say certain types don't require them at all. I want to make sure I understand the liner requirements before making my final decision, especially since this affects both the initial cost and long-term maintenance.

Can someone break down which specific pool types actually need liners versus which ones can function without traditional vinyl liners? I'd appreciate any insight into how the construction material affects liner requirements.…more

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Salt Water Medium 2-4 hours 185 👍 0

Salt Water Pool Skin Irritation: Causes & Solutions

Finally got my 15,000-gallon saltwater pool dialed in and my kids are still coming out with red, burning skin after every swim. We switched to saltwater specifically because I thought it would be gentler than traditional chlorine pools, but now I'm second-guessing that decision.

Is this normal for saltwater pools? What could be causing the irritation, and more importantly, how can I fix it to make sure the water is safe for my kids to swim in? I really want to understand what's going wrong with our pool chemistry so I can get this resolved quickly.…more

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Filters Medium 1-3 hours 182 👍 0

Can Pool Filter Pressure Be Too Low? Diagnosis & Solutions

Found out from my wife that our pool filter pressure gauge has been stuck at a weirdly low 6-7 PSI all week and now I can't stop obsessing over it. My 20,000 gallon inground pool has been running fine otherwise, but I'm wondering if this low pressure is something I should be concerned about.

I've heard people talk about high filter pressure being bad, but nobody ever mentions if pressure can be too low. The pump seems to be running, but I'm not sure if the water flow looks as strong as it used to be. Water chemistry has been balanced - chlorine at 2.5 ppm, pH at 7.4, and alkalinity at 110 ppm. Should I be worried about this low pressure reading, and what could be causing it?…more

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Cloudy Water Medium 15-20 minutes 179 👍 0

Cloudy Pool Water: Causes & Solutions - Complete Fix Guide

Cloudy pool water results from poor filtration, chemical imbalance, or contaminants. Fix by testing chemistry, shocking to proper FC/CYA ratio, and running filtration 24/7 until clear.…more

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