Get matched with top above ground pool installation pros in Ottertail, MN

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.

When looking into fiberglass vs. concrete pools, you will notice a big price difference. A fiberglass pool costs $15,000 to $75,000, whereas a concrete pool costs $35,000 to $100,000. While concrete pools are customizable, fiberglass is faster to install and requires less maintenance. Additionally, you can expect to pay $25,000 to maintain a concrete pool over a ten-year span. On the other hand, a fiberglass pool only requires basic maintenance like testing water levels and cleaning.

Most importantly, you should never cut corners when building a pool. Whether it’s an in-ground or aboveground, poorly constructed pools are dangerous to both the swimmers and your property. Leaks can even lead to home foundation damage. While you can DIY smaller elements of pool installation, always hire a contractor to oversee the process.

With a regular pool, the water is contained by visible walls that are higher than the water level. An infinity pool has one or more walls that are right at the waterline so they're not truly visible. For an invisible look, the lower wall is often made of glass or clear acrylic. The water laps over the lower edge and into a catch basin below where it gets pumped back into the pool.