Shocking your pool eliminates bacteria, algae, and contaminants that chlorine tablets alone can’t handle. Weekly shocking also helps maintain pH balance, preventing issues like cloudy water or irritation.

Always shock your pool in the evening, after sunset. The absence of sunlight prevents chlorine from burning off, allowing it to fully sanitize your water overnight. By morning, the chlorine levels should normalize, and swimming is typically safe.

Maintaining a pH level of 7.2 to 7.6 is crucial for: Preventing skin and eye irritation. Protecting pool components like liners and metal parts from damage. Ensuring chlorine works effectively. A balanced pH ensures a safe and enjoyable swimming environment.

Use 1-2 tablets per 10,000 gallons of water, adjusting based on weather and usage. Avoid overuse, as tablets have low pH and can disrupt water chemistry. Supplement with shock for heavy algae or bather loads.

Perform these tests: Skimmer Faceplate Test: Mark the water level on the skimmer faceplate and measure water loss over 12-24 hours with the pump running. Repeat with the pump off. Greater water loss when the pump is running may indicate a plumbing leak. Bucket Test: Place a bucket filled with pool water on a pool step. If the pool loses more water than the bucket, a leak is likely present.

Use a pump timer and automatic chlorinator to keep water circulating and sanitized. Alternatively, ask a neighbor to run the pump and check chemicals every few days.

No, applying chemicals like shock or calcium hardness through the skimmer can damage the pump and filter. Always dissolve chemicals first and add them directly to the pool as directed.

Home test kits provide limited information on pH, chlorine, and alkalinity, but professional testing measures additional factors like calcium hardness and stabilizer levels with greater accuracy. This ensures balanced water chemistry and a safe swimming environment.

Balancing chemicals (pH, alkalinity, calcium hardness): Wait 1 hour. Shock treatments: Wait overnight for chlorine levels to stabilize.

Yes, baking soda can be used for slight alkalinity adjustments, but it may cloud the water if added in large amounts. For significant increases, use a specialized alkalinity increaser to avoid water cloudiness.

Liquid shock: 12.5% sodium hypochlorite, designed for pools. Bleach (e.g., Clorox): 3% sodium hypochlorite with detergents that may disrupt pool chemistry. To treat a 20,000-gallon pool, use 2 bottles of liquid shock or 8 bottles of bleach—but liquid shock is recommended.

Backwashing removes debris from your sand or DE filter, restoring its efficiency. Perform backwashing when the pressure gauge reads 10 psi above normal or monthly as a preventative measure.

Sand filters struggle with microscopic debris smaller than sand grains. Use a filter cleaner at the end of the season, backwash regularly, and add clarifiers to keep water clear.

This may indicate: Torn grids or filter fingers. A damaged spider gasket or cracked manifold in your DE filter. True Blue offers a "Clean, Soak, and Inspect" service to resolve such issues. To learn more, contact us today.

Maintain proper chlorine levels (1.0-2.0 ppm). Use a weekly dose of algaecide. Brush walls, vacuum, and test water chemistry regularly.

Mustard Algae: Use Yellow X and chlorine shock. Green Algae: Apply Algaecide 60, Hydrofloc, and shock, then vacuum to waste. Black Algae: Brush aggressively, apply Algaecide 60, and add chlorine directly to affected areas.

Cloudy water may result from: Poor filtration (run the filter 10-12 hours daily during swim season). Imbalanced water chemistry (check pH, alkalinity, and calcium hardness). Algae or contaminant buildup (shock and clarify the water).