Guides

Explanations you can act on, with sources. Each guide links to the calculator that does the math.

• Cyanuric Acid (Pool Stabilizer): How Much You Need and Why It MattersStabilizer stops sunlight from destroying chlorine, but it also raises the chlorine level your pool needs. How CYA works, good levels, and how to raise or lower it.Read the guide (3 min)
• How Much Does a Hot Tub Cost to Run? A Realistic EstimateWhat really drives a hot tub's electric bill, how to find your spa's tested standby watts, and worked monthly estimates for mild and cold weather.Read the guide (3 min)
• How to Lower (or Raise) Pool pH SafelyWhy pool pH drifts up, how to bring it down with muriatic or dry acid, how to raise it, and why your alkalinity decides how much acid you actually need.Read the guide (3 min)
• How to Close an Inground Pool for WinterWhen to close, how much chlorine to add, how far to lower the water, and how to protect pipes and equipment from freezing, in the order the work actually happens.Read the guide (4 min)
• How to Shock a Pool (and How Much Shock You Actually Need)How to shock a pool so it actually works. Find the right chlorine level for your stabilizer, choose a product, and hold the level until the job is done.Read the guide (4 min)
• Pool Water Chemistry for Beginners: What Each Test Number MeansWhat free chlorine, pH, alkalinity, CYA, calcium hardness and combined chlorine actually tell you, which ones matter most, and what order to fix them in.Read the guide (4 min)