Frequently Asked Questions

  • Pool Renovation
    Pool Renovation
      • New Construction Pool
        New Construction Pool
              • Water Slide Pool Feature
                Water Slide Pool Feature
                • Pool Maintenance
                  Pool Maintenance
                  • Pool Equipment Upgrades
                    Pool Equipment Upgrades
                    • DFW Pool Renovations
                      DFW Pool Renovations
                              • Water Feature Pools
                                Water Feature Pools
                                • Skimmer Repairs
                                  Skimmer Repairs
                                  • Pool Deck Overlay
                                    Pool Deck Overlay
                                    • Spa Spillway
                                      Spa Spillway
                                      • Pool Tile Cleaning
                                        Pool Tile Cleaning
                                        • Drain & Clean
                                          Drain & Clean
                                          • HP Van
                                            HP Van
                                            • Pentair Lighting & Water Features
                                              Pentair Lighting & Water Features
                                              • Pentair Automation Systems
                                                Pentair Automation Systems
                                                • Pentair Heaters
                                                  Pentair Heaters
                                                  • Warranty
                                                    Warranty

                                                    Maintenance & Additional Services

                                                    Why should I hire a pool service?

                                                    Consider how much you make per hour at your job. Take that number and multiply it by the number of hours you spend each month cleaning your pool. Don’t forget to include the time it takes for trips to the pool store. Now take that number and add an average cost of $35 or more for the necessary supplies you’ll buy – chlorine, acid and more.

                                                    That’s how much it costs, at a minimum, for you to maintain your own pool every month. Plus, you have to store the supplies.

                                                    Now compare that to turnkey, expert pool service from Handcrafted Pools for an average cost of only $150 a month, leaving nothing for you to do yourself except sit back, relax and enjoy your swimming pool!

                                                    How do I calculate how many gallons my pool holds?

                                                    First, take the depth of the deep end of your pool (in feet), add it to the depth of the shallow end (again, in feet) — and divide that number by 2. That’s your “average depth.” Now, take that number and apply it to the formula for your pool’s shape:

                                                    • For rectangular pools:
                                                      Length (in feet) x width (in feet) x average depth x 7.5 = total gallons
                                                    • For oval pools:
                                                      Long diameter (in feet) x short diameter (in feet) x average depth x 5.9 = total gallons

                                                    How often should I run my pool filter?

                                                    The single most vital aspect to maintaining a clean, clear swimming pool is the filter mechanism. In order to remove maximum debris and keep your water circulating, you should run your pool’s filter at least 8 to 10 hours a day in the summer (4 to 6 hours in winter). For maximum effectiveness, run your filter during the hottest part of the day. This is the best way to prevent algae and ensure water clarity.

                                                    How often should my filter be cleaned?

                                                    The manufacturer recommends you clean a quad cartridge filter every 3 months and a DE filter every 6 months. There are some circumstances that can warrant more or less cleanings depending on the situation.

                                                    My pool light stopped working, what should I do?

                                                    Check your circuit breaker, there is typically a separate 15 or 20 amp breaker for the pool and spa lights. Check your GFCI plug by the pool equipment. This could have been tripped during a storm.

                                                    Why is my pump is running, but there is no water circulating?

                                                    Check your water level in your pool. It needs to be at the middle of the water line tile or half way up the skimmer opening, this can cause the pump to “lose prime”. Make sure your pump basket is clean of debris. The impeller may be clogged. If you can’t get the pump to prime, turn the system off and call us for a service call. Running your pump dry will damage the motor seal and possibly the motor and other parts.

                                                    Warranty & Guarantees

                                                    What kind of warranties and guarantees do you provide?

                                                    More than you’ll ever need! You’ll have warranties from the manufacturers of the products we use and also guarantees from Handcrafted Pools – guarantees and warranties on our work, on the products we use, and on the timetable we give you. The fact is, you have our name on everything, which means if there’s a problem with anything, anything at all, you don’t have to contact a manufacturer or supplier, you just call us. After all, you bought it from us and you should expect us to make it right. We will – period.

                                                    General Questions

                                                    Why are some pool companies so much less than other companies?

                                                    Some pool companies can advertise lower prices because they’re giving you a lesser product. You might not be able to notice inferior quality for a few years, but there is a difference. These “cheaper” pool companies use cheaper materials, transient and often poorly trained crews, and lower quality mechanical equipment and cleaning systems. They skimp on the amount of concrete and reinforcing steels bars in the pool shell and they build a less substantial deck. There are lots of ways for them to save money and build you a “cheaper” pool. But in the long run, it’s not cheaper at all. Poor quality is always, sooner or later, expensive and a mistake.

                                                    The fact is, a Handcrafted Pools will be the best quality and the best value, at any budget. If you want to save money, we’ll show you how, but we won’t build you an inferior pool. We never have.

                                                    What should I do if there is a potential for freezing weather?

                                                    Always make sure that your pumps are circulating water including all water feature pumps, most systems have a freeze guard sensor that will do this for you. If your motor is dead and the pump will not turn on, be sure to remove the drain plugs from the pumps, heater, filter and any other component that is holding water so it can drain. Cover your equipment with a blanket if the temps are extremely low. You can also prevent circulation issues by making sure that your skimmer traps and pump traps are clear of debris.

                                                    Renovations

                                                    How long does it take to renovate a pool?

                                                    Most pool renovations take about 7-10 days to complete, which includes refilling the pool. Some projects can take longer due to the extravagant details entailed or due to unforeseen bad weather.

                                                    When my pool is drained, will it shift or damage the shell?

                                                    We have all heard stories of pools popping out of the ground when they were drained. The reality is, if you prepare and plan properly and take all of the precautions, this will not happen. We always make sure to remove all of the hydrostatic plugs and we even drill holes in the floor of the pool to allow ay ground water to push through the holes. While we can’t promise this won’t happen, we have being doing this for 14 years and never had an issue.

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