Get matched with top above ground pool installation pros in Potlatch, ID

You can have an automatic pool cover with a saltwater pool, but it’s important to know that the small levels of salt in your pool can eventually corrode the metal parts of the pool cover. This means you’ll have to keep your unit clean, especially the reels, pulleys, and tracks. As with any other pool cover, test your chlorine levels weekly and keep them on the lower end of the threshold.

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.

How long a pool liner lasts depends on the type of pool. Most in-ground pool liners last between six and 12 years, while aboveground pool liners last anywhere from six to 10 years. You can extend the life of your pool liner by maintaining proper pool chemistry, adding chemicals individually to avoid staining the liner, using a pool cover to protect it from the sun, and keeping sharp objects away from it.

The total time to install an inground pool typically ranges from 8 weeks to 4 months. This timeline can be influenced by several factors, including permitting, site preparation, and the construction process itself.

Key phases and their typical durations include:

• Permits: Obtaining necessary permits can take anywhere from two to six weeks.

• Excavation and Site Preparation: This phase takes about a week but can be extended by problematic soil, unexpected ground conditions, or the need to move underground utility lines.

• Construction: The actual build, including plumbing and electrical work, often takes one to two months. The pool material is a major factor here; a concrete pool needs about 30 days to cure, while installing a fiberglass or vinyl liner is much faster.

External factors can also cause significant delays:

• Contractor Availability: Spring and summer are busy seasons, and high demand can lead to long waitlists, potentially adding months to your start date. It is often recommended to start planning and getting estimates up to a year in advance.

• Other Delays: Weather, material shortages, complex designs, and other unforeseen challenges can extend the project timeline.