1. Why is my pool water cloudy?

  • Your chemicals are probably off or your filter is slacking. Test the water and clean the filter. Stop dumping in random stuff and hoping for the best.

2. How often should I shock my pool?

  • Once a week in summer or anytime it looks sketchy. More often if it rained, got used heavily, or smells weird.

3. What’s the ideal pH level for a pool?

  • Keep it between 7.2 and 7.6. Outside that range and chlorine stops working like it should.

4. Can I swim right after shocking the pool?

  • No. Wait until chlorine is under 5 ppm. Otherwise, you’re just marinating in bleach.

5. Why does my pool smell like chlorine?

  • That smell comes from chloramines, not chlorine. You need to shock your pool to clear them out.

6. What’s the right chlorine level?

  • Stay between 1 and 3 ppm. Too low and it’s bacteria soup. Too high and your eyes will feel it.

7. How often should I test my pool water?

  • Twice a week minimum. More if the weather’s wild or the pool’s getting heavy use.

8. Do I need to brush my pool walls?

  • Yes. Algae doesn’t take vacations. Brush once or twice a week, even if the water looks fine.

9. How long should I run my pool pump each day?

  • Aim for 8 to 12 hours in summer. Adjust depending on water quality and usage.

10. What’s the difference between free chlorine and total chlorine?

  • Free chlorine does the work. Total chlorine includes the stuff that’s already been used. You want them to match.

11. How do I get rid of algae?

  • Shock it, brush it, filter nonstop, and follow up with algaecide. Repeat until it’s dead and gone.

12. What causes algae in the first place?

  • Low chlorine, poor circulation, and warm water. Basically, pool neglect.

13. Can I use bleach instead of pool chlorine?

  • Technically yes, but it’s more trouble than it’s worth. Stick to pool-grade stuff unless you like guesswork.

14. Do I need to vacuum the pool if I have a robotic cleaner?

  • Sometimes. Robots are great, but they miss corners and steps. Manual touch-ups help.

15. How do I know if my filter is working?

  • If pressure is way off or your water looks like soup, it’s probably not. Check the gauge and clean it out.

16. What type of pool filter is best?

  • Sand filters are low-maintenance, cartridge filters are easy, and DE filters are the cleanest. Pick your battle.

17. How often should I backwash my filter?

  • When the pressure is 8 to 10 psi above normal or your flow feels weak.

18. Can I over-shock my pool?

  • Yes, but it’s not the end of the world. Just don’t swim in it until levels drop back down.

19. My pool water is green. What now?

  • Triple shock it, brush like crazy, and keep the pump running until it clears.

20. Can I use baking soda to raise alkalinity?

  • Yes. It works and it’s cheap. Just measure before dumping it in.

21. Why is my pool foamy?

  • Usually from body oils, algaecide, or someone who got wild with soap. Fix your chemistry and clean the filter.

22. How often should I clean my skimmer basket?

  • Every few days. Daily if trees treat your pool like their personal trash can.

23. What’s calcium hardness and why should I care?

  • Too low and water eats your surfaces. Too high and it leaves scale. Keep it between 200 and 400 ppm.

24. Can I add all pool chemicals at once?

  • Don’t. Space them out. Adding everything at once can cause weird reactions.

25. Why do I keep losing chlorine?

  • Sunlight and organic junk eat it up. Use stabilizer and clean the pool.

26. What’s cyanuric acid?

  • It’s a stabilizer that protects chlorine from the sun. Keep it balanced or chlorine gets wiped out fast.

27. How do I lower pH?

  • Use muriatic acid or a pH reducer. Add it slowly and test after.

28. How do I raise pH?

  • Use soda ash or washing soda. Again, small doses and retesting are key.

29. How do I know if my pool is safe to swim in?

  • If all the test levels are good and it looks clean, you’re good. If not, fix it first.

30. Should I cover my pool at night?

  • Yes. It helps retain heat, saves chemicals, and keeps junk out.

31. What’s the best way to open a pool for the season?

  • Uncover, clean, fill, test, shock, and let it circulate for a day. Then fine-tune.

32. How do I winterize a pool?

  • Balance water, lower water level, blow out lines, plug returns, add winter chems, and cover it tight.

33. Can I run my pump at night?

  • Yes. It’s fine and can even save money depending on power rates.

34. Why does my pool have white flakes or dust?

  • Usually calcium or salt cell residue. Clean the cell and balance the water.

35. Is saltwater better than chlorine?

  • Saltwater pools are chlorine pools with a different delivery system. Less maintenance, more upfront cost.

36. Can I switch from chlorine to saltwater?

  • You can. Just install a salt chlorinator and start adding salt.

37. What’s the best pool vacuum type?

  • Robotic if you want easy. Suction for budget. Pressure-side for in-between.

38. Do I need to run my heater all day?

  • No. Use it when you need it. Constant heating will drain your wallet.

39. Can I swim with high alkalinity?

  • Yes, but fix it soon. It messes with chlorine and can make water cloudy.

40. What’s the fastest way to fix a green pool?

  • Triple shock, nonstop filtration, and obsessive brushing. It takes time, but it works.

41. Why does my pool water feel slimy?

  • That’s early-stage algae or biofilm. Brush everything, shock the pool, and clean your filter.

42. Do I really need a pool cover?

  • If you like clean water, lower bills, and fewer leaves, yes. If you like skimming every day, you can skip it.

43. Can I overfill my pool?

  • Yep. It messes with skimming and can flood your deck. Watch it when topping off.

44. How do I lower chlorine levels quickly?

  • Stop adding it and run the pump. Sunlight helps burn it off. In a rush? Add a chlorine neutralizer.

45. Why are my pool steps turning yellow?

  • Probably mustard algae or metal stains. Test both and treat accordingly.

46. How often should I clean my pool filter?

  • Cartridge: once a month. Sand: backwash when needed. DE: after a few backwashes or as gunky as it looks.

47. Can dogs swim in pools?

  • Sure, but rinse them first. Their fur clogs filters and their nails can wreck liners.

48. What is a pool skimmer and do I need one?

  • It pulls in floating debris before it sinks. Yes, you absolutely need one.

49. Why is my pool losing water?

  • Could be evaporation, could be a leak. If you’re losing more than 1/4 inch per day, check for trouble.

50. How do I tell if I have a leak or it’s just evaporation?

  • Try the bucket test. Google it—it’s easy. If the bucket loses less than your pool, you’ve got a leak.

51. Should I drain my pool every year?

  • No. Draining can crack the shell or pop the pool out of the ground. Only drain when absolutely necessary.

52. Can rain mess up my pool water?

  • It dilutes chemicals and adds junk. Test after every storm and rebalance if needed.

53. How do I clean pool tile line scum?

  • Use a pool-safe tile cleaner and elbow grease. It’s the price of snacks and sunscreen.

54. What’s the deal with phosphates in pools?

  • Algae loves phosphates. Reducing them helps, but chlorine still does the heavy lifting.

55. Can I use vinegar to clean pool surfaces?

  • Yes, for light scaling or mineral deposits. Don’t dump it in the water though.

56. Is it safe to swim with red eyes?

  • It means something’s off. Usually chloramines or pH imbalance. Fix the water first.

57. How long after adding chemicals can I swim?

  • Depends. Wait 15–30 minutes for most, but 24 hours for a strong shock.

58. Can I mix pool chemicals?

  • Never. Add one at a time. Mixing can cause dangerous reactions. This isn’t a science fair.

59. How do I get rid of metal stains?

  • Use a metal sequestrant and clean your source water. If it’s deep, you’ll need a stain remover.

60. Why are my pool jets weak?

  • Dirty filter, clogged skimmer, or air in the lines. Check all three.

61. What causes scale buildup on pool walls?

  • High calcium and pH levels. Balance both and scrub it off.

62. Do I need a floating chlorine dispenser?

  • It helps, especially in small or above-ground pools. But it’s not a substitute for real testing.

63. How do I clean a cartridge filter?

  • Rinse it with a hose, soak in cleaner if it’s extra gross, and let it dry completely.

64. Can I use a pressure washer in my pool?

  • Please don’t. It can ruin your finish or send debris flying. Use proper tools.

65. How do I fix low water pressure in my pool pump?

  • Check for clogged baskets, dirty filters, or air leaks in the suction line.

66. Why does my pool foam after adding algaecide?

  • You probably used a cheap foaming kind. Get the non-foaming type next time.

67. What’s the best time of day to add chemicals?

  • Evening. Less sun means less breakdown, and it has time to circulate overnight.

68. Can I swim if my pool is a little green?

  • You could, but why would you? Fix it first unless you’re into slimy water adventures.

69. What is TDS in a pool?

  • Total Dissolved Solids. When it gets too high, your water stops behaving. Sometimes a partial drain helps.

70. Should I use a pool clarifier?

  • If your water’s hazy but balanced, yes. It helps tiny particles clump together so your filter can grab them.

71. Why is my liner wrinkled?

  • Water got under it or it was installed too loose. Minor wrinkles are fine, but deep ones can trap dirt.

72. Can I install a heater myself?

  • You can, but it’s better to leave gas or electric hookups to pros unless you enjoy expensive mistakes.

73. How do I know if my pool is properly balanced?

  • Test regularly. If chlorine, pH, alkalinity, and stabilizer are all in range, you’re good.

74. What does it mean if my pool water is milky?

  • It’s probably suspended particles. Use clarifier or floc, clean your filter, and stop overdoing chemicals.

75. How do I prevent algae long-term?

  • Keep chlorine steady, brush regularly, maintain good circulation, and use a quality algaecide as backup.

76. Is it bad to swim with high calcium?

  • Not dangerous, but you’ll get scale buildup and cloudy water. Balance it to save your equipment.

77. Can pool water damage my lawn?

  • If it’s chlorinated, yes. Diluted backwash or overflow is usually fine. Just don’t soak the same patch daily.

78. Why does my salt cell need cleaning?

  • Minerals build up and block it. Clean with acid solution per your manufacturer’s instructions.

79. How often should I replace my filter media?

  • Cartridge: every 1–2 years. Sand: every 3–5 years. DE: top off after each backwash and deep clean yearly.

80. Should I brush my pool before or after vacuuming?

  • Before. Stir up the gunk so your vacuum can suck it up instead of leaving it to settle again.

81. What’s the difference between shocking and regular chlorination?

  • Shocking is a high dose meant to kill everything in sight. Regular chlorination keeps things clean day-to-day.

82. Can I use pool water for my garden?

  • Not if it’s freshly treated. Let chlorine drop to safe levels or use rainwater instead. Plants aren’t big fans of bleach.

83. Why is my pool green even though chlorine is high?

  • Probably a filtration or circulation issue. Or metals reacting with chlorine. Test everything, not just chlorine.

84. What’s a flocculant and when should I use it?

  • It clumps fine particles into chunks your filter can’t miss. Use it when your water is stubbornly cloudy.

85. How do I get sand out of my pool?

  • Manually vacuum it to waste. Your skimmer won’t help here. And check your filter later—could be a broken lateral.

86. Should I drain my pool after a big storm?

  • Only if it’s overflowing. Otherwise, test and rebalance. Rainwater throws everything off.

87. Why are there bubbles coming out of my return jets?

  • Air leak somewhere. Check the pump lid, o-rings, and connections. Your pump shouldn’t double as a bubble bath.

88. Do I need to test for metals in my pool?

  • Yes, especially if you use well water. Metals can stain and react with chlorine. Test occasionally or if you see strange colors.

89. How can I lower cyanuric acid (CYA)?

  • Drain and refill part of your water. Unfortunately, CYA doesn’t go down on its own.

90. Can I use my pool during winter?

  • If it’s heated and maintained, yes. Otherwise, cover it and let it rest. Nobody likes polar plunges by accident.

91. Why do I see bubbles in the pump basket?

  • That’s air getting sucked into the system. Could be a loose fitting, bad seal, or low water level.

92. Can sunscreen mess with my pool water?

  • Yep. Oils and lotions gunk up filters and add to organic load. Shower before swimming if you can.

93. What causes pink slime in a pool?

  • It’s not algae, it’s bacteria. Usually in hidden areas like behind ladders. Clean thoroughly and shock hard.

94. Is it okay to let my pool go “natural” for a while?

  • If “natural” means green, cloudy, and mosquito-friendly, go ahead. Otherwise, keep up the basics at least weekly.

95. Can I switch from tablet chlorine to liquid chlorine?

  • Sure. Just adjust your dosing. Tablets add stabilizer, so keep an eye on CYA if switching to liquid.

96. Why are my eyes burning even if chlorine is balanced?

  • Usually a pH issue. High or low pH makes chlorine irritating. Test both together, not just one.

97. How do I clean my pool deck safely?

  • Use a pool-safe cleaner or diluted vinegar. Skip the bleach and harsh stuff unless you like white streaks.

98. Should I test pool water myself or hire someone?

  • Test yourself. It’s cheaper, easy with digital kits, and keeps you in control. Hire pros only if you’re over it.

99. What’s the ideal total alkalinity for a pool?

  • Between 80 and 120 ppm. Too low and pH swings like crazy. Too high and it gets hard to adjust anything.

100. Can I leave pool equipment outside all year?

  • Most of it, yes. But clean and cover what you can. UV and winter will wear things out faster than you think.

Still can’t figure it out? Check out our Pool Chemistry Blog for no-fluff guides that don’t suck.

Need gear help? Hit the Pool Equipment section.