What are the most asked pool questions? Do we have the answers? Yes we do and below we list the most asked pool questions of 2026.
💧 Pool questions on chemicals
Q: What should the pH of my pool be?
A: Anything from 7.2 – 7.6
Q: What should my chlorine level be?
A: If you using a test kit then the color yellow in the middle of clear and dark yellow which will be anything from 2.0 – 3.0 ppm
Q: Why does my pool pH keep going up?
A: Anything you do with a pool will have an effect on a pools Ph level. It can change from weather conditions, Body sweat, Sunscreen lotions and rain. It is the one thing that changes all the time no matter what you do.
Q: How do I lower the pH in my pool?
A: By adding acid
Q: How do I increase the pH in my pool?
A: By adding Alkaline but intheory anything such as adding chlorine, sweat and sunscreen lotion will up the Ph level in a pool.
Q: How do I lower alkalinity in my pool?
A: By adding Acid
Q: What is pool stabiliser?
A: Pool stabiliser is cyanuric acid. This component stops, or should i say “slows down the sun evaporating chlorine”. Without a stabilizer, direct sunlight can destroy up to 90% of a pool’s free chlorine in just a few hours.
Q: Can you put chlorine and acid in a pool at the same time?
A: If you are adding them together in water then yes you can. If you are adding them together outside water I would not recommend it as it is in theory, mustard gas.
Q: Why does my pool smell strongly of chlorine?
A: Because you have clearly added to much chlorine or you are using a cover which in turn will not allow the suns UV rays to evoporate the chlorine.
Q: Why do my eyes burn when I swim?
A: This is usually caused by either having a very high / Low Ph level or an extremely high level of chlorine.
Q: How often should I test my pool water?
A: Twice a day anything more i would say you are obsessed.
Q: What chemicals does a swimming pool need?
A: A well maintained pool only needs granular chlorine every 2-3 days. If the Ph spikes then add a bit of acid.
Q: Can I use household bleach in my swimming pool?
A: You can use Jik as it is exactly like liquid chlorine without the high price tag.
Q: How much acid should I add to my pool?
A: Depends on the size but always start small as less is always more. 1 cup, test and adjust accordingly.
⚙️ Pool questions on pumps
Q: How long should I run my pool pump every day?
A: Between 6 and 8 hours but in all honesty 4 to 6 hours is enough.
Q: Why is my pool pump not sucking?
A: There could be many reasons why your pool pump is not sucking. But the most common reason is should there be so much as 1 hairline crack anywhere on the suction line or a lose union on the inlet side of the pump, and it will not suck.
Q: Why does my pool pump keep losing prime?
A: If your pool pump is losing prime it usually means either there is a leak on the suction line, the pumps basket or weir basket is full or the pumps mechanical seal is gone.
Q: Why is my pool pump making a loud noise?
A: A noise from a pool pump usually means a bearing needs to be replaced.
Q: Why is my pool pump humming but not starting?
A: Pool pump humming almost always means capasitor has gone or a bearing is stuck.
Q: Why is my pool pump leaking water?
A: If your pump is losing water from under the pump between the pumps housing then it is mechanical seal.
Q: Why is my pool pump overheating?
A: Normally pool pumps do not overheat as they are wet tested if your pump is overheating the pump may require new bearings as the current ones are old and not turning which in turn causes the shaft to heat up quicker.
Q: Why does my pool pump keep tripping the electricity?
A: This could be incorrect wiring or capasitor causing it to trip.
Q: How do I know what size pool pump I need?
A: The rule is simple. Small pools = 0.75kw pool pump, Large pools = 1.1kw pool pump, XL pools = 1.5kw pool pump. But this can also go many other ways too. Example a 3 bag sand filter cannot handle a 1.1kw pool pump, a 1.1kw pump is best suited for a 4 and 5 bag filter. Then if you wanting to run a heat pump, fountain or solar panels on the system you will have to go 1.1kw to 1.5kw.
Q: When should I replace my pool pump?
A: The reality as sad as it may sound here, is most pumps only last 2-3 years as the warranty is out.
Q: Is it better to repair or replace a pool pump?
A: Replace the pool pump
Q: What is the best pool pump for a swimming pool?
A: In my opinion Speck and Quality pool pumps
Q: How much does it cost to replace a pool pump?
A: 0.75kw = R3200 – R3600 including fitment, 1.1kw = R4200 – R5200 including fitment
🟢 Green, cloudy & dirty pool Questions
Q: How often should I shock my swimming pool?
A: You should only shock a pool when it is green
Q: Why does my pool have algae even though the chlorine is correct?
A: Remember on marbelite pools it is almost promised that you will have trowel marks or crevices, These will attract algae and more so when the pool water temps are higher than 15 degrees. Algae thrives in this temp.
Q: How do I get rid of black algae in my pool?
A: The ugly truth here is drain the pool and do an acid wash this method is so far the most successful.
Q: Why does my pool turn green after it rains?
A: Because your Ph level has either dropped or gone up. Use a test kit to get the result and adjust accordingly. Or contact a pool pro.
Q: How do I clear a pool that has been neglected?
A: If I gave the answer here I do not think I would have a job! But honestly everyone has a different method and some may not agree with ours but it has never failed us, its how its done and in what sequence we do it in that will either make or break a pool. A hint is Peroxide, Chlorine, Flockant and Oxygen. I do however recommend you call a pool technician to solve the problem.
Q: Can I swim in a green pool?
A: Now lets be a bit more precise here, how green? If a pool has just turned green then I say why the hell not? But if it is a pool which has been standing for months on end then hell no.
We hope this article of pool questions helps those in need. Thanks for reading and if you have any other pool questions we may have missed, please inbox us.