There's nothing better than having a pool to cool off in on a hot day, but a significant amount of prospective pool owners don't always acknowledge the work that goes into maintaining a pool. While a recreational pool can bring you hours of relaxation, its chemistry is not something to be taken lightly. It's always important to be vigilant of the chemicals going into your pool before anyone takes a dip.
The chemicals that go into your pool are, first and foremost, a means of maintaining water balance – the tendency of the water to be either scale forming or corrosive. By maintaining the pH and total alkalinity levels, as well as calcium hardness, you can achieve a healthy chemical balance that prevents a number of problems:
- Scale and stain formation
- Cloudy or colored water
- Corrosion of pool surfaces and equipment
- Algae formation on pool surfaces
The last thing you want when your friends and family show up for an afternoon in the water is a dirty-looking pool. Not only are stains unsightly, but letting them get out of hand can lead to issues down the road. Monitoring your pool's alkalinity will help prevent calcium scaling, which can cause surface deterioration and clouded water.
Maintaining PH Levels
Closely related to and ultimately dependent on alkalinity is your pool's pH level. With a pH below 7.0, the water is in a corrosive or aggressive state, which can severely shorten the life of vinyl liners and pool covers. Keeping your pH level balanced will ensure you get the most life out of your vinyl liner. Once you’ve treated your pool, make sure you know how soon after treatment you can use your pool again.
Algae Growth
One of the most obvious signs of an improperly maintained pool is algae growth. Not only can algae cause unattractive water coloring, but it can also make your pool liner feel slippery underfoot. Concrete pools are especially susceptible to algae growth and require more chemical usage, including the addition of algaecide. Fiberglass pools, on the other hand, require far less chemical usage and minimal algae buildup can be eradicated quickly.
Maintaining Water Balance
Maintaining the right water balance is also a matter of keeping the elements out of your pool. Anything from oils to dirt and rain can affect your pool's water balance. A automatic safety cover can keep out these unwanted irritants while reducing your chemical usage by up to 70%.
Maintaining your pool's chemical balance can seem like a hassle at first, but educating yourself on the importance of pool chemistry can make the process much easier. By incorporating pool maintenance into your weekly schedule, you'll have a long-lasting pool and happier swimmers.
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