After living here for 18 months I finally took the plunge (haha) and cancelled my pool cleaning/balancing service. Time to DIY! I’m excited, nervous, and really hoping I don’t regret it 😅 I was paying $200/month (tiny pool) and my first supply purchase, including a vac, was $200. I hope it pays off!
That’s it. I just wanted to celebrate with other pool people 🙂
Posted last week and got a lot of answers whether or not the spillover not being level and tiles being some wheat sloppy was an issue - most people said the tile work was acceptable but the level wasn’t.
Had a reputable pool guy who has done repair work for me in the past come over and mentioned he could redo the spillover and make sure with a laser-level that it is level across the entire opening.
He suggested that I remove the smaller mosaic tiles altogether, instead opting for just the square tiles across the entire spillway - which he suggested may look more clean and modern. He said he would use a wet saw and get very clean, even cuts. Currently the only other mosaic is being used for step line tiles.
Either way will be happy once the spillover is level, but I think removing the mosaic might allow for less grout in general and could look a lot more clean. Including pictures of the entire spillover and both sides.
What are your thoughts? Thanks in advance!
I’m in Texas, 18000 gallon fiberglass in ground pool. This will be my third summer with a pool, I maintained it myself using TFP and the pool math app for the first year but grad school/full time work made it difficult to keep up. My wife found and hired a pool guy about a year and a half ago and all the communication has gone through her, no big issues, water looked clean. I was doing some spring cleaning and found my Taylor test kit and was shocked at the values I saw. pH was under 7, FC 0.4, TC 0.2, TA 0, CH was almost 1000, and CYA was over 200! I asked my wife if he mentioned any issues and his latest report from the day before said pH 7.4, TA 50, no other values, no issues. I texted him and he said “I’ve been having trouble keeping the alkaline up” and “I keep the CYA high on fiberglass pools to hold the chlorine in them.” He said he didn’t have anyone available to come out so I added baking soda to help the pH and I got some sediment, which my pool robot picked up and I noticed a blue tint to my filters. How should I approach my pool guy on Wednesday to address my concerns? Thanks in advance!
So the covers work that are supposed to warm them? Does anyone have any ideas? It’s pretty deep, like 8 ft I think. Any ideas/suggestions help!
First time pool owner and having our liner changed for the first time, the pool company we hired poked holes in the liner to drain it. They said this is normal practice before they put a new liner.
Just checking that this makes sense? I assume they were going to put a pump to drain into the street but I guess not.
Just got the shotcrete. Pool builder said I don’t need to water it daily? Figured if I volunteered to do it they would want it but said I don’t need to.
I live in northeast FL. A lot of posts are 50/50 on it so wanted advice.
Good ole ChatGPT says 100000% do it 3 times a day. So a little confused why builder says their shot Crete doesn’t need watered each day.
Thank you!
Went with pebble brilliance Clearwater. And seeded in AGT glow in the dark stones. Anxious to see how they look tonight. Acid wash tomorrow and start filling. Hopefully get my decking wrapped up in the next two weeks.
Oh and for the people commenting on last post about my “fireplace”. Lol yes I’m still happy with it. Just need to build the little columns (steps) on either side of it.
Looking for advice on a filter replacement.
Currently i have a Hayward EC65 that is approaching 20 years old. For the last 2 years, i've been replacing parts here and there on it (grid plate, and then gasket this year) but honestly its time to get something new. Looking for feedback from the hivemind on what to go with. The filter will be paired with a VSP pump if that matters.
In order of preference, priorities for the filter system:
Options:
Looking for any opinions, or recommendations on what filters may suit the bill. Thanks in advance!
Need some grounded advice before I make an expensive mistake.
I’ve got a semi-inground pool that’s at end-of-life, but the situation around it is what makes this tricky:
- There are structural brackets set in concrete (not a simple install)
- We just added a fence
- My wife built a full deck around it… less than a year ago
So ripping everything out has real collateral damage.
I see three paths right now:
Basically extend the life without a full rebuild.
→ Question: is this just delaying the inevitable if the structure is already compromised?
Keep the general setup, try to preserve the deck/fence as much as possible.
→ Concern: existing concrete anchors + current excavation… will this fight me the whole way?
Clean slate, but the deck becomes awkward/useless and the fence was just installed.
→ Also worried about proper backfill and long-term settling.
What I’m trying to understand from people who’ve been through it:
- When is a liner + wall reinforcement actually worth it vs a money pit?
- Has anyone successfully reused a semi-inground setup with existing concrete supports?
- If you downsized the pool in the same hole, did you run into stability/backfill issues?
- Anyone regret saving the structure instead of just starting over?
Not looking for “it depends” — I’m trying to gauge where the real tipping point is between patching vs replacing.
Appreciate any firsthand experience.
So I’ve finally convinced my wife to give me the ok to shop for a pool builder. Before I do so, I want to get a rough idea on what to expect in cost for a pool similar to the picture I’ve attached. Pool, fire pit, spa, enclosure. I’m in central Florida if that helps. Any advice would be great, thanks!
This pool looked gorgeous back in 1990. In 2026 not so much.
My original Hayward sand filter label deteriorated in 3 seasons. No way was I spending $10+Shipping on a replacement for it to also only last a couple more seasons. So I designed and printed this one in PETG.
It’s about 2 years old. Check cell light went off like 6 months ago I just haven’t had time to investigate. I soaked it in muriatic acid however there was hardly any visible buildup up on it. Ive noticed the pool (25,000 gallon) has had some algae build up. It’s since been treated but makes me think the generator isn’t working.
What is the stuff floating in my hot tub? All my chemical levels are good and balanced. Once the water starts circulating the spots are gone. if I stir them around, they break apart and don’t disintegrate. Only in the hot tub not the pool, Salt water pool
Thanks!
Pool has been drained for at least 8 years. Mainly looking for a rough estimated cost to convert this into a play pool. Would love some sort of splash pad. I’m looking to probably have it just be a 10x20ish rectangle that goes from like 3 down to 5ft max. I want to get rid of the spa too. (I know how to install pumps and filters) So I don’t need that cost calculated. If anyone that does pool construction could give me a little idea for the cost of remodeling/deck work. I’d greatly appreciate it!
Hi, I’m new to pool heaters so I’m not sure if this is normal. I have a Hayward HP59HA heat pump (about 7,000 gal pool). It runs normally (fan works, no current error), but after 3-4 hours the return water is only about 0.7 degree warmer than the pool, and I don’t really see the pool temperature going up.
Is this normal for a heat pump, or could it be a refrigerant or efficiency problem? Also should the return water be more than 0.7 degrees(celsius) warmer than the pool water?
Hello, this week when we had our pool guy open the pool (we have a DE filter) he said the pool wasn’t priming. He replaced impeller, defuser, impeller screw and orings. He also took apart the filter, cleaned and all orings lubbed . Filter was recharged to manufacturer specs. He said it was running and gave me the attached pics. But when I just looked the pressure was very high like at 40 and it wasn’t hardly pushing or pulling any water. Google said there is a blockage somewhere. How do I even start to find it?
Got it in the most level spot I had still ended up like this any tips?
Hi, all, it’s getting to be pretty warm here in the Midwest, and I am going to attempt to open my pool with my fiancé for the first time this year! Getting everything prepped, and opened up the pump housing to find two drain plugs, and a Jandy valve. I attached a picture of the plumbing and want to make sure that I’m doing things right. I know it’s a silly question, but which way should I have both Jandy valves turned? Don’t want to mess the first time up!