Frequently Asked Questions — Budget Pools & Spas

We're located at 150 Newbury Street, Route 1 South, Peabody, MA 01960 — easy to reach for families across the North Shore and Greater Boston.

We're open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, and Sunday from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm — seven days a week to make it easy to stop by.

Since 1965 — that's over 50 years serving North Shore families. We've grown into Boston's Backyard Superstore while keeping the same focus on honest advice and fair prices.

Yes. You can browse and order online anytime, or visit our Peabody showroom to see products in person. Either way, our team is here to help you choose the right fit.

Absolutely. We encourage it. Visit our showroom to see hot tubs, swim spas, and grills up close, and to talk through your options with our knowledgeable team.

We carry Artesian Spas, Bullfrog Spas, and DreamMaker Spas — trusted names built to hold up through New England winters, with options for every family and budget.

A hot tub is built for warm-water relaxation and hydrotherapy, seating a few people to several. A swim spa is larger and adds a powerful current you can swim against, so you get exercise, play, and relaxation in one unit. Our TidalFit swim spas are a great fit when you want a pool and a hot tub without the space of an in-ground pool.

Yes. The spas and swim spas we carry are designed to run through New England winters, so you can enjoy warm water even on the coldest North Shore nights.

We do. Our in-house team handles professional installation so your spa is set up correctly from day one. Reach out and we'll walk you through what your space needs.

We carry Sharkline above-ground pools — durable, family-friendly, and a fraction of the cost and hassle of an in-ground pool.

Above-ground pools are the easiest, most affordable way to beat the summer heat. They're quicker to set up than in-ground pools, easier on the budget, and perfect for teaching the kids to swim or hosting the neighborhood.

Yes. Our in-house service department handles professional installation, and we'll help you choose the right size and shape for your yard before we start.

We do. Our team handles seasonal pool openings and closings, so getting your pool ready for summer — and buttoned up for winter — is one less thing to worry about.

We carry the Big Green Egg, Green Mountain Grills, and Summerset Grills — gear built for everything from low-and-slow weekend smoking to a quick weeknight burger night.

Of course. Tell us how you like to cook and how many people you usually feed, and our team will match you with the grill that fits your backyard and your style.

Yes. We run an in-house service department for installations, repairs, and seasonal maintenance, so you have one trusted team to call from start to finish.

Right here. We stock chemicals, filters, pumps, heaters and heat pumps, robotic cleaners, steps, ladders, floats, games, and more. Run low mid-season? Stop in or order online and you're back to enjoying the water fast.

We carry a wide range of parts and accessories for pools and spas. If you're not sure what you need, bring in the details or give us a call and we'll help you track down the right item.

Yes — ask our team about our loyalty program on your next visit so you can get more from every purchase.

Tips for maintaining a crystal-clear pool:

1. Chemically clean your filter every 4 to 6 weeks with Softswim Filter Cleaner.
2. Change the sand in the filter each year. A sand filter is the preferred filter for this non-chlorine system.
3. Add “A” (Algaecide) weekly (very important).
   Add “B” (Sanitizer) level to its proper range
   Add “C” (Oxidizer) level to its proper range.
4. Keep metal concentration at zero. Un-sequestered metals will consume the “C” levels. Use Stain Control and Sparkle Up.
5. Bring in a water sample to Budget Pools at least once a month.  

1. The cell output is at a constant rate of 1.5 pounds of free chlorine in 24 hours.
2. The boost setting does not increase the amount of chlorine added to the pool water.
3. If the salt concentration is increased above the recommended range (for example, 3200 ppm), the cell will not increase output.
4. Running the cell on the boost setting for extended times decreases the life of the cell.
5. When generating chlorine, the cell also produces Sodium Hydroxide which increases pH.

1. Shock pool as prescribed by a Budget Pools Technician.
2. Wait one hour then brush pool.
3. Add Curative Algaecide – BANISH (broad spectrum algaecide) – Run pump 24 hours per day for 2 days (48 hours).
4. Test frequently to assure free chlorine is high for 48 hours. Re-shocking may be required.
5. Chemically clean filter after 48 hours with Spray n Rinse or Strip Kwik.

It’s a good idea to put the pool brush and skimmer in the pool during the treatment process, to avoid re-contaminating the pool. After Algae bloom is cured use LifeLine Algaecide #8 or #9, Algae All 60 or Backup Algaecide once a week. Bring in a water sample and our technicians can give you the proper dosages needed to cure your algae problem.

With August upon us, your pool water gets warmer and pools are used more often. Here are some tips to keep your pool algae free and crystal clear!

1. Operate pump 12-15 hours per day. This will insure adequate chemical circulation.
2. Use an Algaecide weekly. i.e. LifeLine #8 or #9, Algae All 60, Backup 2, Banish
3. Add stabilizer (CYA) to keep the chlorine in the pool and protect it from the sun.
4. Shock your pool (as needed) at least once per week. Test pH with AquaChek test strips 2-3 times per week.
5. Remember…you MUST maintain proper water balance to be safe, comfortable and to keep your equipment like new. It is recommended to bring a water sample to Budget Pools at least once a month or after a large rainstorm or heavy use.
6. Check your free chlorine after heavy rain or after heavy usage.
7. Chemically clean your D.E. or cartridge filter at least twice a year. Use Spray n Rinse or Strip Kwik, not Muriactic Acid.
8. If you have a Cartridge Filter, the Skim Mor skimmer socks are a must. Socks remove copious quantities of solids which do not enter into your filter. This will save you time from taking apart your filter and cleaning it. (At least one cleaning per season is saved.)
9. For D.E. and Cartridge Filters, we recommend using #7 Ultra Clear or Polysheen Blue to clear cloudy water, improve filtration and achieve brilliant water. Overdosing leads to the opposite effect, cloudy pool! 

pH is a numerical scale that ranges from 0 to 14. It indicates whether or not your pool water is acidic or alkaline. The proper pH range for your pool should be 7.2-7.6. 

Low pH will cause your eyes to sting and high pH will remove oil from your skin and make you feel itchy. Proper pH also allows the free chlorine to work efficiently. High pH is controlled (reduced) by adding our Life-Line product Red #2. Low pH is controlled by adding our Life-Line product Yellow #2 or Blue #4.

The best way to ensure your pool is comfortable with the proper pH range is to bring a water sample into Budget Pools on a monthly basis.