Pool FAQ
Quick answers to common questions.
The questions pool owners and contractors ask most — answered in a sentence or two, with links to go deeper.
Pool care
How often should I test my pool water?
Test free chlorine and pH two or three times a week (daily during hot, heavy-use stretches). Test alkalinity, calcium hardness, stabilizer (CYA) and salt about once a month.
What chlorine level should my pool be?
Most outdoor pools do well at 3–5 ppm free chlorine, but the right minimum depends on your stabilizer: keep free chlorine at least 7.5% of your CYA level. Our chlorine & stabilizer chart does the math for you.
Why is my pool green even though I added shock?
A single dose rarely clears algae. You need to raise chlorine to shock level for your CYA and hold it there — testing and re-dosing several times a day — until the water is clear and chlorine holds overnight.
How long should I run my pool pump?
Long enough to filter the whole pool volume about once a day. With a variable-speed pump, running at a low speed for more hours is usually the most efficient way to get there.
Is a saltwater pool chlorine-free?
No. A salt chlorine generator makes chlorine from dissolved salt. The water is much less salty than the ocean, and you still need to manage pH and stabilizer.
Can I swim right after shocking?
Wait until free chlorine drops back to your normal range for your stabilizer level, and follow the product label.
How much water loss is normal?
Evaporation of around a quarter inch a day is common in summer, and more in hot, dry, windy weather. If you are losing more, run the bucket test.
What is a shipping container pool?
A pool fabricated from a steel shipping container — typically 20 or 40 feet long and about 8 feet wide — that is waterproofed, finished and delivered ready to connect.
What is polyurea and why is it used on container pools?
Polyurea is a spray-applied elastomer that cures in seconds into a seamless, flexible, waterproof membrane. On container pools it seals the steel completely, bridging welds and cut-outs without seams.
Do you answer individual pool questions?
Yes — send it through the Ask a Pool Tech form. We read every question, and the most common ones become new guides.
Container pools & coating businesses
Do I need coating experience to get started?
No. Many successful applicators start with no spray experience. Hands-on training, practice and technical support are what get you to professional results — and safety training is mandatory.
What equipment does it take?
A heated plural-component proportioner, heated hoses, a spray gun, transfer pumps, air supply, supplied-air respiratory protection and PPE, plus surface prep equipment such as abrasive blasting gear. ArmorThane offers complete packages and can walk you through options for your budget.
How long does it take to coat a container pool?
Spraying is fast — polyurea gels in seconds. Most of the time goes into surface preparation and masking. Your advisor can walk you through a realistic production schedule.
Is polyurea suitable for the inside of a pool?
Polyurea is used as a seamless waterproof membrane on container pools, tanks and water features. Interior systems are specified with a compatible topcoat for UV exposure and water chemistry, and ArmorThane’s technical team helps you spec the right system for each job.
What else can I do with the same rig?
A lot: truck bedliners, roofing, secondary containment, floors, tanks, marine and industrial protection. Many applicators combine several markets to keep the rig busy year-round.
Is financing available?
ArmorThane works with equipment finance partners. Ask your advisor about options when you get in touch.
Where are you located?
ArmorThane is headquartered in Springfield, Missouri, and works with applicators across the U.S. and internationally.