Run your chlorinator daily for 6 to 12 hours, ideally while the pool pump is actively circulating water. The exact duration depends on the season, pool usage, and water temperature.
How many hours should I run my salt chlorinator per day? This all depends on the time of year, the number of people swimming and the flow rate of your pump. Ideally, run for 4 hours in the morning (6am-10am) and 4 hours in the evening (4pm-8pm). For a smaller pool you can run less hours.
A sore throat from a chlorinated pool is usually caused by chloramines, which form when chlorine binds to sweat, oils, or urine in the water. These irritants become airborne gas, inflaming your throat. Mild irritation usually clears in a few hours.
All pools lose some water daily due to evaporation. Under normal conditions, expect about 1/4 inch per day, with weekly losses typically ranging up to 2 inches at most. However, factors like high temperatures, low humidity, wind, and pool activity can increase evaporation, leading to greater water loss.
For a completely fresh 20,000-gallon pool, you will need approximately 13 to 14 standard 40-lb bags of pool salt (or about 530 lbs of salt) to reach the ideal salinity of 3,200 ppm.
Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) acts as a natural buffer that raises both your pool's total alkalinity and its pH. It prevents severe pH fluctuations (known as "pH bounce"), clears cloudy water, prevents equipment corrosion, and helps your chlorine sanitize more effectively.
Growth of algae and bacteria: a low salt concentration can create an environment that fosters the growth of algae and bacteria in the pool, which may cause cloudy water, green patches and an increase in risk to health.
Generally speaking, pools lose approximately 1/4” of water per day on average, though this can vary due to factors like wind, temperature, humidity and of course, the pool's total surface area.
A typical pool pump lasts 8 to 12 years with regular maintenance, though high-quality variable-speed models can occasionally reach 15 years. The motor usually needs replacement or significant repair every 7 to 9 years.
In most climates, you'll need to add water once or twice a week during the swimming season. Adding water more often than that may indicate a leak, especially if your pool is losing more than ½ inch per day.
"Swimmers lung," medically known as Swimming-Induced Pulmonary Edema (SIPE) or immersion pulmonary edema, is a dangerous condition where fluid leaks from your blood vessels into the air sacs of your lungs. It happens during physically demanding swimming or diving without inhaling or choking on water.
Chlorine cough (often called "swimmer's cough") is a temporary respiratory irritation caused by inhaling chloramines—chemical byproducts that form when chlorine mixes with swimmers' sweat, body oils, and urine. It is most common in poorly ventilated indoor pools and creates a dry, burning sensation in the throat and lungs.
Feeling sick after swimming is usually caused by accidentally swallowing contaminated water, intense exertion that diverts blood from your digestive system, inner ear disturbances, or swallowed air.
Three Most Common Pool Chlorinator Problems
To clear cloudy water in your pool, you may need to temporarily run the filter 24 hours a day to expedite the cleanup. For sand filters, adding a small amount of Alum acts as a filter aid, and it flushes out with a backwash. Both sand and cartridge filters benefit from a chemical cleansing with a filter cleaner.
A common schedule is about 12 hours per day, with 3–4 hours on high (for cleaning) and 8–9 hours on low (for filtration).
Pool pumps typically last 8 to 12 years, but premature failure usually stems from overheating, water leaks, or debris blockages. Common culprits include a failing motor (often due to worn bearings), electrical shorts, dry running caused by air leaks, and impeller damage from clogged debris.
For concrete or gunite pools, the shell is often the single most expensive component. Furthermore, it requires extensive engineering and highly specialized labor.
A new pool pump costs between $150 and $1,600+ for the unit alone, depending on your pool setup. Factoring in professional labor, total replacement typically ranges from $500 to $2,500+.
Run your pool pump continuously when temperatures are near or below freezing. You don't need to run your heater, moving water likely will not freeze. Disconnect any aerators and lines to slides. Booster pumps for pool cleaners don't need to run continuously.
Choosing between a garden hose and a water truck comes down to your budget, how fast you want the pool filled, and your home’s water source. In most cases, a garden hose is significantly cheaper, while a water truck is much faster.
A normal, uncovered swimming pool typically loses 1 to 3.5 inches of water per week (about 1/8 to 1/2 inch per day) due to natural evaporation.
Chlorine, in its natural form, is unstablized—which means it degrades when exposed to sunlight. Adding a chlorine stabilizer reduces the sun's impact on chlorine loss. Maintain a stabilizer level between 30-150 ppm.
Saltwater pools are highly appealing for their softer water and easier daily maintenance, but they come with notable downsides. The most significant drawbacks include high upfront installation costs, the corrosive nature of salt on equipment, and complex repairs.
For a 10,000-gallon pool, you will need approximately 6 to 7 bags of pool salt (assuming 40-lb bags) to reach the ideal starting level of 3,000 to 3,200 ppm.