Q: Will my pool collapse if I drain it?

• <div><p>You can avoid pool collapse&mdash;known as pool pop in an inground pool&mdash;if you follow the instructions on how to drain your pool safely. Wait for a temperate, dry day and slowly remove the water with a sump pump, hose, or the attached drains and hydrostatic plugs.</p></div>

Q: Can you swim in a pool with algae?

• <div><p>You shouldn&rsquo;t swim in a pool with algae. When there&rsquo;s algae, there&rsquo;s also bacteria that&rsquo;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.</p><p>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.</p></div>

Question 1

Does a pool pump use a lot of electricity?

Accepted Answer

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Yes, pool pumps use a significant amount of electricity, making them one of the biggest energy consumers in a home. A pool pump can use up to three times as much electricity as a refrigerator. Typically, a residential pool pump consumes about 1 kilowatt-hour (kWh) for every hour it runs. Because pumps often need to run for about eight hours a day to properly filter the water, this can add up to an annual consumption of 3,000 to 5,000 kWh, which can cost between $480 and $800 per year based on average electricity rates.

The amount of electricity your pump uses depends on its size, energy efficiency, and daily run time. To lower your energy consumption, you can choose an energy-efficient or variable-speed pump, ensure it is correctly sized for your pool, and run it only for the minimum time required to keep the water clean.

Question 2

What is the least expensive time of year to build a pool?

Accepted Answer

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Off-season pool-building prices often align with the time of year you're least likely to use a pool. Many contractors offer deals in the late fall and winter to bolster the slow time of year. However, if you live in an area with freezing winters, you'll need to wait beyond the final frost and threats of extreme weather.

Question 3

Will my pool collapse if I drain it?

Accepted Answer

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You can avoid pool collapse—known as pool pop in an inground pool—if you follow the instructions on how to drain your pool safely. Wait for a temperate, dry day and slowly remove the water with a sump pump, hose, or the attached drains and hydrostatic plugs.

Question 4

Will baking soda clear a green pool?

Accepted Answer

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Figuring out how to clear a green pool can seem tricky at first, but it’s all about knowing which pool cleaning chemicals to use. You may think of using baking soda to help you with your algae problem, but unfortunately, it won’t help. This is because baking soda only raises your pH and alkalinity levels.

Instead, you need to use pool shock to clear up a green pool—the shock raises the free chlorine levels and will kill the algae.

Question 5

Can you swim in a pool with algae?

Accepted Answer

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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.