Results for "structural cracks"

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

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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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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

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Best Pool Heaters

4.4 (8,900 reviews)

Above Ground Medium 30 minutes 220 👍 0

How Long Do Pool Liners Last? Lifespan & Replacement Guide

Staring at my pool liner that I replaced last summer, wondering if I chose the wrong thickness — did I mess this up or how long should this thing actually last? My above-ground pool is about 4 years old now with the original vinyl liner, and I want to know what kind of lifespan I should expect before needing a replacement.

I've been pretty good about maintaining proper water chemistry - keeping pH between 7.2-7.6 and chlorine around 1-3 ppm. The pool gets full sun most of the day during summer, and I'm wondering if the UV exposure will shorten the liner's life significantly. Are there things I can do now to extend how long it lasts, or is replacement just inevitable after a certain number of years regardless of maintenance?…more

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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

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Leaks Medium 2-4 hours for DIY repairs 213 👍 0

Can Fiberglass Pools Leak? Yes - Here's How to Fix It

Looked like just a minor water drop in my fiberglass pool last month but now it's become a massive leak draining faster than any evaporation. I've heard people say fiberglass pools don't leak like other types, but that can't be true, right?

I'm wondering if there are common spots where fiberglass pools develop leaks? I'm hoping this is something that can actually be fixed without having to tear the whole thing apart. Has anyone dealt with this before and found a solution that actually works?…more

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Above Ground Medium 15 minutes 208 👍 0

How Long Do Inground Pool Liners Last? Complete Guide

Replaced my inground pool liner three years ago — before I start tearing into another replacement would this failing liner be covered under my home warranty? The pool store mentioned that I'll eventually need to replace the vinyl liner, but they didn't give me much detail about timing.

How long do these liners typically last before needing replacement? Is it something I should be budgeting for in the next few years, or is it more of a long-term expense? I want to make sure I'm taking proper care of it so it lasts as long as possible.…more

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Leaks Medium 2-4 hours 204 👍 0

Can Pool Leak Through Hydrostatic Valve? Detection & Repair

According to my pool's behavior, the water level started dropping steadily yesterday even though nobody's been swimming, and now I'm wondering if the hydrostatic valve is leaking. The water level drops consistently even when the pool isn't in use, and I've already ruled out obvious surface leaks around the skimmers, returns, and visible plumbing.

From my understanding, hydrostatic valves are designed to prevent the pool shell from floating during high groundwater conditions, but I'm wondering if they can work in reverse - allowing pool water to escape when groundwater levels are low or if the valve mechanism fails. The water loss seems to correlate with our recent dry spell, which has me questioning whether the valve could be stuck open or damaged.

Is it technically feasible for a hydrostatic valve to cause pool water leakage, and if so, what specific failure modes should I be looking for during inspection?…more

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Maintenance Easy 30 minutes 191 👍 0

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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Leaks Medium 30 minutes to 2 hours 186 👍 0

Can Pool Leaks Be Fixed? Complete Repair Guide 2024

Got a pool that keeps losing water with exposed equipment around the edges — is this dangerous with kids constantly playing in the yard? I've tried those DIY leak detection methods I found online but honestly can't tell if it's the liner, the plumbing, or something else entirely.

Before I throw in the towel and call it quits on pool ownership, I need to know - can pool leaks actually be fixed for good? I don't want some temporary band-aid solution that'll fail again next season. Are there reliable repair methods that will solve this nightmare once and for all, or am I just fooling myself thinking this can be permanently resolved?…more

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Leaks Medium 2-3 hours 184 👍 0

Can Pool Leak Through Plaster? Causes & Detection Guide

Every time I check my pool it's down another few inches, the pool store wants $300 for leak detection, AND they're already pushing a full replaster job. Before I drop thousands of dollars, I need to know - can water actually leak through the plaster itself or are they just trying to make money off me?

I've noticed some hairline cracks and a few rough spots where the plaster feels different, but I'm not sure if that's normal wear or actual leak points. Is there a way I can test this myself instead of paying their ridiculous diagnostic fees? I'm tired of these stores pushing expensive solutions when maybe it's something I can identify and even fix on my own.…more

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Best Variable Speed Pool Pumps

4.5 (12,400 reviews)

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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Above Ground Easy 10 minutes 176 👍 0

How Long Do Pool Liners Last? Above Ground Pool Lifespan

Above ground pool liner is starting to fade and get thin in spots after seven seasons. Dreading the $400 replacement cost and wondering if these things ever last longer than that. My neighbor got 12 years out of hers somehow — what am I doing wrong?…more

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Maintenance Medium 15-20 minutes to read, 30-60 minutes to complete weekly tasks 171 👍 0

Weekly Pool Maintenance Checklist: Complete Expert Guide

Weekly pool maintenance involves testing and balancing water chemistry (pH 7.4-7.6, proper chlorine levels), cleaning skimmers and equipment, brushing walls, and vacuuming debris. Consistent weekly care prevents expensive repairs and keeps your pool safe for swimming year-round.…more

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Leaks Hard 2-5 days for permanent repair 170 👍 0

Can Pool Leak Through Concrete? Yes - Here's How to Fix

Woke up this morning to find my pool water level had dropped another two inches overnight and now I'm wondering if water is somehow seeping through the concrete itself. My kids spend hours in the pool every day, and I've noticed the water level dropping more than usual lately.

I always thought concrete was completely waterproof, but now I'm wondering if that's actually true. Can pool water actually leak through the concrete shell itself? I'm worried about what this might mean for water quality and whether it's safe for the kids to keep swimming if there are structural issues with the concrete.…more

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