Complete Pool Guide is a troubleshooting site for pool and hot tub owners. Each guide starts from one problem, like green water two days after you shocked the pool or a hot tub that will not heat, and walks you through the checks in a sensible order: test the water and check the easy things first, then move to parts.
Why this site exists
When a pool or hot tub acts up, the answer is often spread across a long forum thread, a video and a PDF manual. Store websites mostly want to sell you a chemical or a part. We put the answer on one page: what the problem usually means, the cheapest checks first, and the point where you should stop and call a pro.
Most problems are small. A dirty filter, low free chlorine, a closed valve or a tripped GFCI can make a pool or tub look broken. We want you to find those before you pay for a service visit or another bag of shock.
What we cover
- Green, cloudy and off-color pool water
- Pool chemistry: pH, alkalinity, chlorine and stabilizer
- Pool pumps, filters, heaters and heat pumps
- Salt systems, pool lights and robotic cleaners
- Hot tub water, heating, jets, pumps and GFCI trips
- Inflatable hot tubs and above-ground pools from Intex, Bestway and Coleman
How each guide is made
Water chemistry ranges come from public health sources such as the CDC’s Model Aquatic Health Code and from test kit makers. Equipment steps come from the maker’s own manual, such as Hayward, Pentair, Jandy, Balboa, Intex and Bestway documents. Each guide lists its sources at the end. You can read the full set of rules on our how we write our guides page.
What we do not do
- We do not sell chemicals, parts or repair services.
- No brand pays us to be recommended. Some product links in our guides are Amazon affiliate links, and our disclaimer explains how they work.
- We do not give advice for work that needs a licensed pro, such as gas line work, wiring a new circuit or repairs inside a gas heater. Guides say when you have reached that point.
Found a mistake?
Equipment changes and manuals get revised. If a step does not match your pool or tub, tell us through the contact page with the brand and model of the part. We check it and update the guide.