No, shock and chlorine are not the same thing, though they are related and both are used for pool maintenance. Regular chlorine, often in the form of tablets, is a sanitizer used for routine, day-to-day maintenance to keep a steady chlorine level. Pool shock, however, is a highly concentrated dose of chlorine used periodically for a more intense cleaning. It rapidly raises chlorine levels to fix issues like cloudy water or algae growth and also eliminates chloramines, which are byproducts of regular chlorination. Because their purposes and concentrations differ, they are not interchangeable, and proper pool care typically requires using both.

Aboveground pools take between one day to a few days to install, depending on the pool size and type. Your project may take longer if you’re planning to complete other projects simultaneously, like building a deck around the pool. If your land is hilly or rocky, you’ll also need to budget time for the land preparation. Aboveground pools need to be installed on a level surface.

Chlorine performs several functions, depending on where and how you use it. In drinking water, chlorine in small amounts kills potentially harmful bacteria. It's also a common ingredient in detergents for its whitening properties. Most people associate the chemical with pool use, where it works to kill and control bacteria, germs, and viruses in the water. 

Detecting a leak in your pool costs about $300 on average. The price ranges widely from low $100 up to $1,000. Here are the costs involved in leak detection services for your pool:

• Pool inspection: $125–$250

• Above ground pool leak detection: $100–$700

• Inground pool leak detection: $400–1,000

• Vinyl liner repair: $350–$3,600

• Fiberglass lining repair: $300–$400

• Concrete liner repair: $75 per linear foot

• Pressure test pool lines: $200–$500

• Skimmer repair: $100–$250

• Main drain repair: $400–$700

• Pump repair: $50–$300

• Tile repair: $20-$30 per linear foot