Swimming Pool Chemistry 101
Swimming pools are a great addition to a home for many reasons. Not only do they make for a great way for you and your kids to enjoy a warm day, but they can also greatly increase the overall value of your property.
That said, having a pool does come with its share of responsibilities. For starters, you have to make sure your swimming pool is in pristine condition. No one wants to come over to swim just to see a murky or discolored pool in your backyard.
This is where swimming pool chemistry comes into play. Using the right chemicals on your pool will help balance it and give you clear swimming pool water. Keep reading to find out some important things you need to know about swimming pool chemicals!
1. Test Kit
Perhaps the most important care equipment you’ll need for your pool is a test kit. You can’t find a solution to treating your pool if you don’t even know what state it’s in or what it needs. Test kits (or test strips) are what you need to take care of this matter.
Using a test kit, you can learn more about the intricacies of your pool that you couldn’t tell from the surface. Use a strip to get the right chemicals and balance your swimming pool.
2. Alkalinity and PH
After you’ve used a test kit to learn about your pool’s pH level, you need to make sure you keep it at a healthy number. Using an Alkaline solution such as sodium bicarbonate, which is also called sodium hydrogen carbonate can help make that possible. Alkaline can absorb major basic or acidic changes in the water and keep the pool in a balanced condition, so make sure to periodically add some to your water.
The alkalinity level should be between 80 to 120 parts per million. When this is at the proper level the PH will need to be between 7.4 and 7.6. Any imbalance of chemicals can damage the structure of the pool and equipment over time.
3. Calcium Hardness Increaser
Calcium isn’t just good for your bones; it’s also very important for your pool as well! A pool with a low calcium hardness level can lead to scalding and even corrosion on your pool’s surface. By adding a calcium hardener, your pool will gain resistance to corrosion and last longer because of it.
4. Cyanuric Acid
You want to make sure the chlorine you add to the pool will not evaporate from the sun and ultraviolet rays. By adding a pool conditioner or pool stabilizer, you will be able to maintain the chlorine levels, leading to less maintenance of adding chlorine and being more cost-effective in the long run.
5. Chlorine
It’s well-known that chlorine is a necessary part of maintaining your swimming pool. Chlorine is a mineral that helps to eliminate harmful pathogens in the pool and acts as a sanitizer. This is very important for ensuring the health and safety of everyone who enters your pool. So make sure the chlorine level is always at the correct level which should stay between 1.0 and 3.0 parts per million.
6. Mineral Sanitizer
We use a lot of different minerals to help regulate our body and keep it healthy. But did you know that those same minerals are healthy for your pool too?
Substances such as magnesium act as great sanitizers by releasing positively charged ions into the pool to kill germs. Others, such as copper, are useful as an algaecide and will keep pesky algae at bay.
Your Swimming Pool Chemistry Matters
Now that you know about swimming pool chemistry 101, you should be able to take care of your pool and keep it in top shape for a long time to come. That said, it pays to have a professional to help you look after your pool and give you the right products to maximize your pool’s well-being. At Escape Pools, we would like to assure you that we are the right people to help you with your swimming pool needs.
We dedicate ourselves to giving our customers the best pools and pool services to make sure they love their new swimming pool. We specialize in making custom pools and spas, and we also sell pool equipment, carry out pool remodeling and maintenance, and much more. No matter what you need, we have the product or service for you.
Want us to take care of your pool? Make sure to browse through our site to learn about all that we have to offer, or get in touch with us to get your swimming pool back in top condition. We know you’re going to love your pool!
