FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions & Their Answers

We love talking to customers. We get lots of questions and have added the most common questions here for your convenience. Feel free to give us a call for clarification or ask us anything about pools, we would love to hear from you. Contact Us

Can the light faceplate be installed underwater?

Yes, any faceplate can be installed underwater.

Can I get in the pool before Rustic Pools is finished?

No! Do not get in the pool before we have come to cut in the faceplates and gaskets and the pool has been filled up to its normal level. There is a skim coat of lightweight concrete under the liner. If you get in the pool you will leave footprints that we cannot get rid of until the next liner installation.

Now that my pool is full how do I take care of chemical start-up?

Rustic Pools does not take care of chemicals. You will need to take a sample of your pool water to your local pool store and have them tell you what you need to get your pool chemically balanced again.

Should I use a floating chlorine dispenser?

No. Rustic Pools never recommends any floating chemical dispenser be used in inground vinyl pools as they will eventually cause damage to the liner.

Are chlorine tablets okay to use in my pool?

When used properly in an inline chlorinator at the filter system they are safe to use in any pool. They should NEVER be used in any skimmer as they can cause extensive damage to the underground plumbing lines.

What type of chlorination does Rustic Pools recommend?

We recommend a saltwater chlorine generator but liquid chlorine is the 2nd best option.

Is granular chlorine okay to use in my pool?

Yes. However, you should put the granular chlorine into a bucket of water before putting it into the pool. This essentially makes it a liquid and is the best way to add it to the pool to stop it from settling at the bottom of the pool and causing problems.

How does saltwater chlorine generation work?

Salt (NaCl) is made from sodium and chloride (chlorine). When the water in the pool passes through the “cell” electrolysis is used to break down the salt into usable chlorine which then treats your pool. The average residential pool will use about 100-150lbs of salt per year. This is mostly from splash-out and backwashing as evaporation does not affect the salt. The total cost for 150lbs of salt is about $35-$40.

How does the salt taste?

The salt level in a pool using saltwater chlorination is about half of the level of salt in your tears. In most cases, it is barely detectable to taste and never to the point of being a bad taste.

What are the best/cheapest ways to put chlorine in my pool?

Saltwater chlorine generation is by far the cheapest and the best solution as the chlorine is all but free. Second would be an automatic dispenser that is designed for use with large tablets. Third would be any automatic dispenser. Fourth would be liquid chlorine.

How much water can be safely removed from an in-ground vinyl pool and for how long?

Once filled and used, you do not want to drain an in-ground vinyl lined pool. There are many reasons not to drain the pool. The main reason is that over time the liner seems to become less pliable and when the pool is drained the liner contracts. When you refill the pool the liner does not expand to the previous shape and often rips. This is an expensive error. The other reason is that the weight and pressure of the water in the pool provides structural integrity, helping to prevent the walls from collapsing.

How do I measure water evaporation from my pool?

You can measure water evaporation in your pool by doing the bucket test. Place a five-gallon bucket on the second pool step and fill it to match the water level of the pool (probably have to put a concrete block in the bucket before you fill it with water to help keep in place). Over the course of 2-3 days, the bucket will lose water from evaporation and gain water from rainfall at the same rate as your pool! As long as there is no splash-out or backwashing during that time, if the pool level drops more than the bucket level then you have a leak.