Pool & Spa: questions, answered with sources
Each answer cites the public sources it was checked against, with the date it checked them. Jobs that need a licensed pro in Virginia say so, and explain the job instead of teaching it.
Hot Tub & Spa Service
5 answers
How do I drain and clean a hot tub?
Turn the power off at the breaker, take out the filters, and run a garden hose from the drain valve to a spot where chlorine-free water can go. Scrub the shell with a non-abrasive spa cleaner, deep-clean the filter, then refill with tap water and restart. Cal Spas says to do this every four to six months; check your own manual.
How much does hot tub service cost in Virginia?
No Virginia agency or manufacturer publishes a dated price for hot tub service, so there is no single number to quote. The price depends on the visit type, the size of the tub, whether chemicals and filter cleaning are included, and the distance. Ask at least three companies to quote the same written scope and compare line by line.
Is a hot tub maintenance service worth it?
It is worth it if you will not reliably test the water daily, clean the filter every month or two and drain and refill every four to six months, or if a neglected tub could void your warranty. If you will do those chores yourself, hire a pro only for deep cleans and repairs. Get three written quotes before you commit.
Why is my hot tub water foamy?
Foam usually means the water is loaded with soap, lotion, sunscreen or other residue, or was filled with softened water. Cal Spas says soft water can make proper chemistry impossible and may cause foaming. Clean the filter, add a spa defoamer through the filter compartment with the jets running, and if it keeps coming back, drain and refill with regular tap water.
How often should I change hot tub water?
Cal Spas' owner's manual says to drain a spa every four to six months and refill it with fresh tap water. A tub used daily by several people belongs at the short end, and your own manufacturer's interval takes precedence. Between changes, test weekly and deep-clean the filter at least monthly, or every two weeks with heavy use.
Hot Tub Moving
3 answers
How do you move a hot tub?
Drain it, then move it on a cart or dolly with several helpers, never by dragging. Check the route first: an 8-foot spa needs a 44-inch gate and 9 feet of overhead clearance. Have an electrician disconnect and later reconnect the power. Set it on a level 4 to 6 inch concrete slab, since a filled tub weighs about 5,000 pounds.
How much does it cost to move a hot tub in Virginia?
There is no reliable single Virginia price for a hot tub move, because it is several jobs: the move itself, an electrician at both ends, possibly a new concrete slab, a permit and sometimes a crane. Cal Spas says a crane is not included in standard delivery. Get three written quotes for identical work and compare them line by line.
Who moves hot tubs?
Hot tub and spa dealers, pool and spa service companies and specialist hot tub movers do it, with a licensed electrician for the wiring and sometimes a crane company. In Virginia, a contractor on work valued at $1,000 or more needs a licence, and the electrical work needs a licensed tradesman. Check each licence at DPOR before you sign.
Leak Detection & Repair
5 answers
How do I find a leak in my pool?
Do a bucket test. On a calm day, switch off the pump, cleaner and automatic fill, set a bucket of water on a pool step, mark the water level inside the bucket and outside it, and wait 24 hours. If the pool dropped more than the bucket, it may have a leak. Then check the equipment, the auto-fill and the ground around the pool.
How much does pool leak repair cost in Virginia?
We found no Virginia source that dates a price for pool leak repair, so we do not quote one. The cost depends on where the leak is, how hard it is to find, the type of pool, which trades are needed and the permit. Get itemized written quotes from licensed pros, and limit the deposit to 10% or $1,000, whichever is less.
Who should I call to fix a leaking pool?
Call a licensed pool contractor, who in Virginia can repair in-ground pools and often finds leaks too. Bring in a licensed plumber or electrician when the leak or the fix involves house plumbing or pump wiring, which the pool specialty excludes. Run a bucket test first, check the DPOR licence, and get the work in writing.
Is my pool leaking or just evaporating?
Compare your pool with a bucket. Switch off the pump, cleaner and automatic fill on a calm day, float a bucket of water on a step, mark both levels and wait 24 hours. If the pool dropped more than the bucket, it may be leaking. Losing more than 2 inches a week, or 3 in hot, dry areas, likely means a leak.
How do I keep my pool from leaking?
You cannot make a pool leak-proof, but you can prevent the common causes and catch the rest early. Keep the chemicals balanced, drain the equipment and piping before freezing weather, test the automatic fill every three months, watch the weekly water loss, and keep the level where it will not slosh over. Fix small leaks before they grow.
Openings & Closings
5 answers
How do I open my pool in the spring?
Remove and clean the cover, reinstall the ladder and hardware, fill to the skimmer, start the filter, then test and balance the water before anyone swims. Virginia's health department guide for pool operators keeps pH at 7.2 to 7.8 and replaces test reagents each season. Leave heaters and wiring to a licensed pro.
How much does it cost to open and close a pool in Virginia?
There is no single Virginia price. The cost depends on pool size and type, the cover, what the visit includes (chemicals, water testing, plumbing blowout) and the condition of the water. Get itemized written quotes for the same scope, and keep any deposit to 10% of the price or $1,000, whichever is less.
Should I open and close my pool myself or hire a pool company?
Open and close a simple pool yourself if you can handle the cover and are willing to test the water several times. Hire a pool company for a heavy safety cover, a heater or automation, a history of green water, or if time is short. Wiring, gas and structural repairs are for licensed professionals.
Why is my pool green after I opened it?
Green water in spring is almost always algae that took hold under the cover or in the first days after opening, because the chlorine was low, the pH was off or the water was not circulating. Test and correct pH and alkalinity first, brush every surface, run the pump around the clock, then raise chlorine as the product label directs.
When should I close my pool in Virginia?
No fixed closing date applies in Virginia. Close the pool once swimming is over for the season and before freezing temperatures arrive, because freezing water cracks pumps, filters, heaters and piping. The timing is set by your local weather, not the calendar.
Pool Cleaning & Service
5 answers
How do I clean a swimming pool?
Skim the surface, empty the skimmer and pump baskets, brush the walls and floor, vacuum, then test and adjust the water. The Portsmouth Health Department's operator guide gives pH 7.2 to 7.8 and free chlorine 1.0 to 3.0 ppm for public pools; use them as targets. Check the filter, and never mix chemicals with chlorine.
How much does weekly pool service cost in Virginia?
There is no single Virginia price for weekly pool service, so no number is worth quoting. The price depends on pool size, debris, season, what each visit includes and whether chemicals are in it. Ask at least three companies for the same written scope and compare them line by line.
What does a pool service company do each visit?
A weekly visit usually means skimming the surface, emptying the skimmer and pump baskets, brushing and vacuuming, testing chlorine and pH, adding chemicals and checking the filter and equipment. What a company does is set by its written agreement, so ask for the list and compare at least three bids.
Why is my pool water cloudy?
Cloudy pool water usually comes from weak filtration or off-balance chemistry. Test free chlorine, pH and total alkalinity first: a high pH or high alkalinity can cloud water, and chloramines from low free chlorine do the same. Then empty the baskets, run the pump, and clean or backwash the filter when its gauge says so.
How often should I clean my pool?
Empty the skimmer and pump baskets every day or two, test chlorine and pH at least a few times a week, brush and vacuum weekly, and test alkalinity, hardness and stabilizer weekly. Backwash or clean the filter when its gauge rises, not on a calendar. Public pools are held to a stricter daily routine; use it as the ceiling.
Pool Decking & Coping
5 answers
How do I fix cracks in a concrete pool deck?
Hairline and narrow cracks can be cleaned out and filled with a flexible concrete crack sealant: clear the crack of dirt, oil and loose gravel, fill it slightly over, and let it cure for 24 hours without rain. Do not use the product in cracks wider than 1/2 inch. A crack with one edge higher than the other, or a deck that is heaving or sinking, needs a licensed contractor.
How much does it cost to redo a concrete pool deck in Virginia?
This page gives no per-square-foot figure, because it has no dated Virginia source for one. The bill depends on deck size, whether you resurface a sound slab or tear out and pour new, the condition of the base and drainage, the finish, and access. Get at least three written bids on identical specifications, and keep the deposit to 10 percent or $1,000, whichever is less.
Should I resurface or replace my pool deck?
Resurface when the slab is solid and the trouble is on the surface: wear, scaling, pitting, stains, a slick finish or hairline cracks. Replace it when the slab itself is moving: wide or stepped cracks, sinking or heaving sections, or water that runs toward the pool. A thin resurfacer cannot stop old cracks reappearing, so get both options quoted in writing.
Why is my pool coping loose?
Coping comes loose when its bond to the pool wall or deck fails: water gets in through open joints, freezing and thawing push on the masonry, or the deck moves under it. Coping is also the swimmers' handhold, so keep people off any stone that rocks. A sealed joint is a small repair; a stone that moves needs a masonry contractor.
How do I keep a pool deck from getting slippery?
Keep the surface clean, because algae and film are what make a deck slick, and keep water from standing on it. Scrub shaded and damp areas on a schedule, rinse away from the pool, and avoid glossy sealers, which add shine. A deck that is smooth and slick even when clean needs a non-slip treatment applied by a pro.
Pool Heaters
1 answer
Pumps & Filters
5 answers
How do I clean a pool cartridge filter?
Turn the pump off, cut power at the breaker, open the air relief valve until the gauge reads zero, then open the filter and lift out the cartridges. Hose each one top to bottom at a 45-degree angle, working between the pleats, soak off sunscreen and body oils if needed, rinse, and reassemble. Clean when pressure is about 10 psi above the clean starting pressure.
How much does a new pool pump cost in Virginia?
No Virginia agency publishes a dated price for a new pool pump, so this page quotes none. The bill is the pump itself plus installation, and it moves with horsepower, single-speed versus variable-speed, wiring and bonding changes, any permit and the company's labor. Get three written quotes for the same pump and scope, and ask what is and is not included.
Should I upgrade to a variable-speed pool pump?
Usually yes when your pump is old or failing and the pool runs daily. ENERGY STAR says reducing pump speed by one-half lets a pump use just one-eighth as much energy, and that variable-speed pumps are quieter and last longer. The case is weaker for a pump that is newly installed or a pool used only a few weeks a year. Get both options quoted in writing.
Why is my pool pump losing prime?
Almost always because air is getting into the suction side. The usual causes are an empty or low strainer pot, a dry or poorly seated lid O-ring, a full pump or skimmer basket, a low pool water level, or a loose union or leaking valve on the suction line. Clear the basket, refill the pot, reseat the O-ring and look for bubbles at the returns.
How often should a pool cartridge filter be replaced?
Pentair says to expect an average cartridge life of three years under normal conditions, but bather load, wind and dust change that. Replace sooner if the pressure gauge climbs back within days of cleaning, the pleats are torn or flattened, or the pressure will not return to its clean starting reading after a proper wash and soak.
Resurfacing & Liners
4 answers
How do I know when my pool needs resurfacing?
Resurface when the finish itself is failing: it is rough enough to scrape skin, cracked or flaking, or has lost its bond to the shell. San Diego County treats plaster cracks and chipping larger than one square foot as a reason to resurface. Rule out a leak first with a bucket test, then get a written assessment from a licensed pool contractor.
How much does pool resurfacing cost in Virginia?
We could not find a current, dated Virginia price for resurfacing a pool from a government or manufacturer source, so we do not quote one. Cost depends on pool size, the finish, preparation, tile and repairs, and the drain and refill. Get at least three itemized written quotes from licensed pool contractors and compare them line by line.
How do I choose a pool resurfacing contractor?
Pick a contractor with a valid Virginia licence that covers pool work, check it on DPOR's website, and call local references. Get the finish, price, schedule, warranty and permit plan in a written contract, keep the deposit to no more than 10% or $1,000, whichever is less, and do not pay in full until the work is complete.
Why is my pool plaster rough or stained?
Most often the water, not the plaster, is the cause. Water that stays too basic leaves white calcium scale on the surface, and water that is too acidic eats into it. San Diego County's guide shows plaster damaged by unbalanced chemistry. Test pH, alkalinity and calcium hardness, correct them, and brush the shell before you decide it needs resurfacing.
Safety Covers
5 answers
How do I put on a pool safety cover?
Lay the mesh cover out evenly over the pool, then fasten each strap spring to its deck anchor with the installation rod until the cover is drum-tight with no gap at the edge. Work with a second person, remove ladders first and keep the water 15 to 18 inches below the cover. Leave first-time anchor setting to a pool professional.
How much does a pool safety cover cost in Virginia?
There is no single Virginia price for a pool safety cover, so no figure is quoted here. The cost depends on mesh or solid fabric, manual or powered operation, pool shape and cut-outs, the deck and anchors, installation and any barrier permit. Get at least three itemized written quotes for your own pool.
Does Virginia require a fence or barrier around a pool?
Usually, but the rule is local. The Code of Virginia lets each locality require a fence at least four feet high around a pool, and Chesterfield County, for one, requires a barrier at least 48 inches high with a self-closing, self-latching gate. The state building code does not exempt a pool barrier from permits. Call your building department.
Why is water pooling on my pool safety cover?
Water pools on a safety cover when debris blocks the mesh, the straps have gone slack, the pool level is too low to support the cover, or a solid or automatic cover's pump is not working. Sweep the top from the deck, tighten the straps and restore the water level. Stay off the cover, because standing water is a drowning risk.
How do I clean and store a pool safety cover?
Remove leaves and debris, spray the cover with a hose and brush it gently to loosen dirt, then let it dry. Check it for damage, fan-fold it into its bag and hang the bag off the ground, away from chemicals and heat, so mice stay out. An automatic cover can be washed with mild dish liquid every 3 to 6 months.
Water Chemistry
5 answers
How do I balance pool chemicals?
Test the water, then adjust one thing at a time: free chlorine, total alkalinity, pH, then calcium hardness. Virginia sets 1.0 to 3.0 ppm free chlorine and a pH of 7.2 to 7.8 for regulated pools; the Portsmouth Health Department's guide gives total alkalinity of 80 to 120 ppm and calcium hardness of 200 to 300 ppm. Retest between additions.
How much do pool chemicals cost per season in Virginia?
No Virginia agency publishes a dated price for a season of pool chemicals, so there is no honest single number. Your cost follows pool volume, the strength of the chlorine you buy, sun and swimmers, and how well the water stays balanced. Price the products you will use, then compare with written quotes for the same season.
Is it worth paying a pool service to handle the chemicals?
It is worth it if you travel, are new to pools, or your pool keeps drifting out of balance, and not if you will test weekly and handle strong chemicals carefully. No Virginia agency publishes a dated price for chemical service, so compare three written quotes for the same scope, including whether chemicals are included, at cost or marked up.
Why is my pool turning green?
A green pool is almost always algae, which grows when free chlorine drops below Virginia's 1.0 ppm minimum, pH or alkalinity drifts out of range, or the water barely circulates. Test first, fix circulation, brush the walls and floor, then bring chlorine and pH back into range and run the filter until the water clears.
How often should I test my pool water?
Test free chlorine and pH at least a few times a week in season, and daily in hot weather, after storms and after heavy use. Check total alkalinity, calcium hardness and stabilizer weekly. Portsmouth's rule for public pools is every two hours when open, which shows how quickly chlorine and pH can move.