Practical articles for pool owners on skimming, water testing and choosing the right equipment.
479 articles
Pool Care · Archive date: · 3 min read
Read pool test strips by dipping for the label’s time, then matching each pad to the bottle chart right away in good light. Retest if results look unclear.
Written for PoolSkimmer on Oct 23, 2026; assigned an earlier archive date, not published on that date.
Water Chemistry · Archive date: · 3 min read
Shocking a pool means giving the water a temporary boost in sanitizer or oxidizer to break down contaminants, help clear odors, and support normal pool care.
Written for PoolSkimmer on Oct 23, 2026; assigned an earlier archive date, not published on that date.
Water Chemistry · Archive date: · 3 min read
To raise cyanuric acid, use a pool stabilizer made for swimming pools, follow the label exactly, circulate the water, and retest before adding more.
Written for PoolSkimmer on Oct 23, 2026; assigned an earlier archive date, not published on that date.
Water Chemistry · Archive date: · 3 min read
There’s no universal wait time after shocking a pool. Swim only when the shock has circulated, the water is clear, and test results match the product label’s safe range.
Written for PoolSkimmer on Oct 23, 2026; assigned an earlier archive date, not published on that date.
Water Chemistry · Archive date: · 3 min read
Pool shock is usually chlorine-based or non-chlorine. The exact active ingredient depends on the product label, so read it before you add anything to pool water.
Written for PoolSkimmer on Oct 23, 2026; assigned an earlier archive date, not published on that date.
Pool Care · Archive date: · 3 min read
Open an inground pool by removing the cover, clearing debris, restarting circulation, and checking the water and equipment before anyone swims.
Written for PoolSkimmer on Oct 23, 2026; assigned an earlier archive date, not published on that date.
Skimming & Debris · Archive date: · 3 min read
Skim bugs with a fine-mesh net, clear baskets safely, and check circulation and water quality. If they return, fix the cause or call a pool professional.
Written for PoolSkimmer on Oct 7, 2026; assigned an earlier archive date, not published on that date.
Skimmer Equipment · Archive date: · 3 min read
Pool skimmer socks can catch fine debris before it reaches the skimmer basket and pool filter. They are often worth using if you want easier cleanup.
Written for PoolSkimmer on Oct 7, 2026; assigned an earlier archive date, not published on that date.
Water Chemistry · Archive date: · 3 min read
Retest pool water only after it has fully circulated and the correction has had time to work. Timing depends on the change, the pump, and water clarity.
Written for PoolSkimmer on Oct 7, 2026; assigned an earlier archive date, not published on that date.
Filtration & Circulation · Archive date: · 3 min read
Air in a pool pump system usually points to a suction-side leak, low water level, or a lid seal problem. Start with safe checks and know when to call a pro.
Written for PoolSkimmer on Oct 7, 2026; assigned an earlier archive date, not published on that date.
Seasonal Pool Care · Archive date: · 3 min read
Close an inground pool by cleaning it thoroughly, checking equipment, following the manual for water level and plumbing, and securing a winter cover before freezing weather.
Written for PoolSkimmer on Oct 23, 2026; assigned an earlier archive date, not published on that date.
Pool Troubleshooting · Archive date: · 3 min read
Black algae is usually a sanitation warning, not an immediate toxin threat, but it can make a swimming pool slippery, unsanitary, and unsafe to use.
Written for PoolSkimmer on Oct 23, 2026; assigned an earlier archive date, not published on that date.