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Yes, it's normal for pool pumps to make noises—like a humming or gentle rumbling sound. But if your pool pump is making loud noises, then this could indicate an underlying problem. Sounds to keep an ear out for include grinding, whining, screeching, and banging noises. Also, pay attention to any new or louder sounds emanating from your pump.

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 often you should add water to your pool depends on how quickly the water evaporates. Keep an eye on your skimmer box, if you have one. Top up the water in your pool if you notice the water levels are lower than the bottom third of your skimmer. This helps prevent damage to your pump. 

Replace all the water in your pool every five to seven years, depending on how often you use your pool, the weather, and whether or not you close your pool for the winter.

Both above ground and inground pools can have pool liners. Inground pools made of gunite don’t need pool liners, and you’ve probably walked along an unlined pool and felt the ripples and ridges on the floors and walls. But adding a liner over gunite or other pool types helps protect the wall panels from algae growth.