Results for "winter storage"

Salt Water Medium 2 hours including testing and adjustment 213 👍 0

Do Saltwater Pools Need Cyanuric Acid? Essential Guide

My saltwater pool opens every spring with the same nagging question about whether I actually need cyanuric acid or not. I know the salt cell generates chlorine automatically, but I'm not sure if that means I can skip the stabilizer. My pool gets tons of sun exposure throughout the day.

What's the ideal CYA level for saltwater pools, and does it work differently than regular chlorine pools? Don't want to waste money on chemicals I don't need, but also don't want my chlorine getting zapped by UV rays!…more

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Water Chemistry Medium 2-3 hours for setup 197 👍 0

Can I Store Pool Chemicals Outside? Safe Storage Guide

Halfway through my morning coffee, I spotted my pool chemicals sitting in direct sunlight by my detached shed that definitely weren't there yesterday. Shed gets hot/cold with seasons and sometimes damp. Garage stays more consistent but still gets chilly in winter.

Which is better for storing chlorine, muriatic acid, and shock? Or do I need to bring everything indoors? Just want to avoid any safety issues or chemicals going bad.…more

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Winterizing Medium 2-3 hours 188 👍 0

Should I Cover My Pool Heater in Winter? Complete Guide

Our new house came with a Pentair heat pump that the previous owner left completely exposed to the elements with zero winter protection. I have a Pentair heat pump that I've been using throughout the swimming season, and I'm wondering about proper winterization procedures.

I've heard conflicting advice about whether pool heaters need to be covered during the off-season. Some neighbors with gas heaters say they just shut them down and leave them exposed, while others insist that all heaters should be covered regardless of type. My heat pump manufacturer's manual mentions winterization but isn't super clear about covering requirements.

Given our climate with snow, ice, and temperatures that can drop below freezing for extended periods, what's the best practice for protecting different types of pool heaters? Does it matter if it's a heat pump versus a gas heater, and are there specific covers or protection methods that work best for harsh winter conditions?…more

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Best Pool Heaters

4.4 (8,900 reviews)

Maintenance Medium 2-4 hours for winterization 182 👍 0

How Long Can You Keep a Pool Closed? Complete Guide

During winter I'm trying to decide between keeping my pool closed all season to save on chemicals versus opening it and dealing with the constant money drain from maintenance. Every time I go to the pool store they're trying to upsell me on some expensive treatment or service. I'm thinking about just closing my pool for an extended period to avoid all these costs.

Can I keep it closed for longer than just the winter months? What's the maximum time I can leave it shut down without causing permanent damage? I'd rather do the work myself when I reopen it than keep throwing money at these overpriced pool companies all season long.…more

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Winterizing Medium 45 minutes 180 👍 0

Do You Remove Skimmer When Closing Pool? Step-by-Step Guide

I opened my weather app to see the first freeze hits this weekend and I'm staring at this skimmer wondering if I need to yank it out or leave it. I know I need to do something with the skimmers, but I'm getting conflicting advice online about what exactly needs to come out.

Do I need to physically remove the entire skimmer unit from the pool wall, or just certain components? I've heard about removing baskets and doors, but I want to make sure I'm not missing anything that could get damaged over winter. Last thing I need is expensive repairs come spring after this disaster of a season.…more

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Pump Problems Medium 2-3 hours 176 👍 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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Winterizing Easy 30 minutes 175 👍 0

Can Pool Chemicals Be Stored Outside in Winter? Storage Guide

Our family is trying to decide between hauling all our pool chemicals into the basement this winter or just leaving them in our unheated garage. We're expecting some pretty cold temps this winter and I'm wondering if I should drag all this stuff inside or if it's fine to leave out there?

I've got the usual suspects - chlorine tablets, shock, algaecide, pH adjusters, some liquid stuff. My neighbor said something about containers cracking but I figured I'd ask here before hauling everything to my basement. Anyone know which chemicals are okay with cold and which ones I definitely need to bring in?…more

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Above Ground Medium 4-6 hours initial setup, monthly maintenance 170 👍 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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Above Ground Medium 2-4 hours 169 👍 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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Filters Medium 45 minutes 168 👍 0

Can I Leave Pool Filter Outside for Winter? Storage Guide

This Hayward sand filter is sitting in my backyard and the pool store warned me the housing will crack if I leave it outside this winter. They're saying I absolutely MUST bring my filter inside and store it properly or it'll crack from freezing water. Is this just another upsell, or will my filter actually get damaged if I leave it outside during winter?

I'm in a climate that gets below freezing, and I'm trying to handle as much of the winterization myself as possible. The pool store quoted me $200 just for filter removal and storage! Can I really not just drain it well and leave it in place, or am I risking expensive damage? Looking for honest advice from people who've actually dealt with this.…more

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Salt Water Medium 45 minutes 165 👍 0

How Salt Water Pool Systems Work: Complete Guide 2024

Despite my pool guy insisting I need to understand salt water electrolysis to maintain my system, his overly technical explanation makes me think he's overcomplicating things.
Specifically, what happens at the cellular level when salt water passes through the system? How does dissolved sodium chloride get converted into an effective sanitizing agent, and what role does electrolysis play in this conversion process? I want to grasp the complete operational mechanism before investing in this technology.…more

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Best Pool Filters

4.5 (15,600 reviews)

Above Ground Medium 4-6 hours for winterization 163 👍 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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Water Chemistry Medium 15-20 minutes 162 👍 0

Hot Tub & Spa Water Care Guide: Complete Chemistry Manual 2024

Hot tub water care requires maintaining proper pH (7.4-7.6), alkalinity (80-120 ppm), and sanitizer levels while following regular testing and chemical adjustment schedules. Higher temperatures and smaller water volumes make spas more sensitive to chemical imbalances than pools.…more

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Winterizing Medium 60-90 minutes 156 👍 0

Do I Need to Winterize My Pool Heater? Complete Guide

Woke up dreading winterizing season because my old gas heater routine was foolproof — but this new heat pump has me completely lost. We definitely get some cold snaps here where temps drop into the 30s and sometimes lower.

I've heard horror stories about equipment getting damaged over winter, but I'm not sure if that's just pool store scare tactics or if there's real risk. What's the worst that could happen if I skip the winterizing process? Just trying to figure out if this is one of those "nice to do" things or absolutely essential.…more

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Pump Problems Easy 45 minutes 156 👍 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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