"AHS is ok. They cover repairs of most everything under the roof of your house. The companies that contract with them are not always the best. You call AHS with the issue, they send a fax to the repair company and give you the contact info. If they don't contact you within 24 hours, you call them. Sometimes they answer, sometimes they don't. When they arrive (usually three days or so later), they service the item. if it has issues within the 90 days, you call AHS again, they are sent out with no charge. If the serviceman decides the unit is unrepairable, AHS will allow you to choose a replacement from their listing (usually not as good as what you have) they will install and remove your old item, or give you wholesale amount to buy and install your own. Prices vary on what you want covered and what you want the copay to be, plus where you live. For me it is 49.99 per month with a 75.00 time of service order. You can have more than one item serviced at the same time under the same fee. If you have a SEAR product the repair guys are great. Not that wild about the other ones they send out. But it is a big savings compared to calling someone on your own. The cost of service is only the 75.00 copay."
Install Above Ground Pools questions, answered by experts
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.
Concrete pools have the longest life span. As long as you properly maintain your concrete pool, you can expect it to last 50 to 100 years. That said, you will need to resurface your concrete pool as it ages. Fiberglass is durable, but fiberglass pools generally only last around 25 to 30 years. That said, some high-end fiberglass pools can last more than 50 years if they’re well-maintained.
If your pool takes longer than one or two days to fill, you might be dealing with low water pressure. Using a water pressure gauge on your outdoor tap, you can check your water pressure. A reading of 40 psi or below is considered low. A leak, a nearby water shutoff, or several other reasons could cause this.
If the water pressure isn’t a problem, you could have a low flow rate from clogs, corroded pipes, or other plumbing issues. It’s best to call in a local plumber to get to the root of the issue.
It’s a good idea to wait at least 24 hours after opening your pool before you swim in it. Pool opening often involves shocking the water, and the chemical levels need to come down a bit before it’s safe to swim. You can continue testing your water pH and chlorine levels if you’re in a rush. It’s wise to wait until your chlorine levels drop to under four parts per million (ppm) and you have a water pH of between 7.2 and 7.8. You can artificially lower your water pH to speed up the process.
Generally, you do not need to drain your pool to convert it to a saltwater system. The main exception is if you have used an antibacterial agent containing polyhexamethylene biguanide to sanitize your pool, as these sanitation products do not mix well with saltwater systems. If this is the case, you will need to start fresh. You can either drain the pool or treat the existing water with a high dose of chlorine to remove the antibacterial agent. If you choose the chlorine treatment, wait several days to allow the chlorine to work before proceeding with the conversion. If you are unsure whether this applies to your pool, consult a pool technician.
The Pine Ridge, SD homeowners’ guide to above ground pool installation services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Above ground pools are more affordable than inground pools, so can you put an above ground pool in the ground to save money? Learn when it’s safe to do so.
