Depending on where you live and the demand for pools and spools, a spool may increase your property value and make your home more appealing to potential buyers. It’s worth looking at installation, maintenance, insurance, and safety costs to see if the increase in value is worth the cost of installing a spool.

You shouldn’t swim in a pool with algae. When there’s algae, there’s also bacteria that’s feeding on the algae. Also, algae-infested pool water is often chemically imbalanced, which means germs like Cryptosporidium, Giardia, and E.coli could be present. These germs can cause a range of illnesses from gastrointestinal issues, to rashes, and respiratory problems.

The best thing to do is to get rid of the algae first, test and balance the water, and then you can enjoy swimming without any worries.

Yes, some pool designs do not have coping. However, most designers will extend the decking beyond the water's edge to keep water inside the pool and lower potential pool repair costs in the future. A pool without coping may look more seamless but can raise the risk of slipping and make it trickier to get in and out of the pool.

An easy way to know whether your sand filter has enough sand is to check how full the filter is and what the sand looks and feels like. The filter container should be two-thirds to three-quarters full of sand. Look for interior marks indicating the ideal sand level. If you put your hand into the sand, it should flow through your fingers without clumping. The filter pressure gauge is also an easy indicator—the right amount of sand leads to normal pressure, while too much or too little sand can cause high or low pressure.