When it comes right down to it, there are three basic elements to getting (and keeping) a crystal clear, sparkling pool. Get these three elements under control, and you can enjoy a truly paradise-like, perfect, sparkling pool.
Let these elements get unbalanced and out of whack, and you will be faced with everything from algae growth, to cloudy water, to skin irritation, to chemical stains to scale formation …. and the list could go on and on.
Suffice it to say that with these three key areas, the phrase “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” could not be more accurate! So here are 3 keys to having perfect swimming pool chemistry (and, by extension, to enjoying a perfect, crystal clear, sparkling pool).
Read More→
In the back of their minds, all swimming pool owners know the risk of having a silent, lurking body of water in the back yard. Even more so for families with children, a swimming pool c
an be a silent killer. Consider this top ten list of the most common, and most dangerous swimming pool deficiencies:
10) Electrical
Proper electrical wiring for a swimming pool and all its components is critical since water, electricity and people are a dangerous mix. Swimming pools, and all metal components within one meter of the water line should be bonded with a heavy ground wire loop. Additionally all electrical devices that come into close contact with water such as pumps and lights must be properly connected with a GFIC or ground fault interrupter. Read More→
It is important to keep proper ‘Stabilizer’ (cyanuric acid) levels in all pools. This will allow chlorine to stay in the pool longer, thus, saving chemical cost. It is also important to keep proper ‘Stabilizer’ levels in pools using Chlorine Salt Generators. This will allow chlorine to stay in the pool longer, thus, will not unnecessary overwork the generator.
It is important to keep proper ‘Stabilizer’ (cyanuric acid) levels in pools using Chlorine Salt Generators. This will allow chlorine to stay in the pool longer, thus, will not unnecessary overwork the generator. Consult the Stabilizer Chart for proper (cyanuric acid) levels.
Alkalinity in pools is an extremely important topic as it’s what helps prevent sudden pH changes. Total alkalinity is a measure of alkaline substances in this case, ionic compounds, that act as buffers that resist pH change.
Don’t worry, this is just a bunch of chemistry and scientific mumbo jumbo that you really don’t need to know. What is important to understand is that alkalinity helps stabilize the pH balance in your pool, and keeping it within normal range can save you a lot of headaches as well as solve a lot of problems.
The recommended range for a swimming pool’s total alkalinity is between 80 and 120 parts per million. Any good pool testing kit will let you determine the range, and it’s important to test often.
So, when it comes to alkalinity there are really only 3 states in can be in: Too High, Too Low and Just Right.
Low Alkalinity With low alkalinity your pH levels can swing back and forth between too high, and too low. It’s not uncommon for these numbers to shift drastically causing an unbalance in your pools pH.
Some problems that are associated with this include: -Chlorine inefficiency -Metal Corrosion -Pool Staining -Scale
You can easily raise a pool’s alkalinity by using a chemical called sodium bicarbonate which is, baking soda. The recommended dosage is 1.5 pounds of sodium bicarbonate per 10,000 gallons of water. If you’re unsure how much water you have you can find a good estimate by using this formula: Read More→
Most, but unfortunately not all, staining on pool surfaces are preventable. The problem is most people don’t realize they have metals in their water. Even trace amounts of these metals (iron, copper, manganese, cobalt, silver) can cause staining. In fact there’s enough copper in ONE penny to completely stain an average sized swimming pool! Obviously, the conditions have to be right. This is where prevention & good, proper pool care come into play.
Here’s what happens: metals come into your pool whenever fresh, make-up water is added. They’re dissolved in the water. Whether it’s municipal water or well water, metals can be present. As the metals accumulate, the greater the chance that they will eventually come out of solution. Once out of solution, they make the water cloudy or worse, they “plate out” on the pool’s surfaces & stain. Metals can come out of solution through a variety of ways. But there’s 2 that typically happen.
When a pool is shocked whether with chlorine or a non-chlorine oxidizer, the shock oxidizes everything in the water, including metals. Oxidized metals become “rust” in the case of iron or “Verdi gris” in the case of copper.
In the second way, metals come out of solution or are left “exposed” when the pH, Total Alkalinity and/or Calcium Hardness are left unchecked & allowed to go low (pH below 7.2, Total Alkalinity below 80 ppm [non-Pristine Blue pools], Calcium Hardness below 100 ppm). The water becomes aggressive & the metals are more susceptible to oxidation. In many cases, pool-owners don’t properly test their water & more likely rely on the “look” of the water (the water’s clear, everything must be alright). This is typically the case with blonde hair turning green – low pH helps bring copper out of solution & “plates” it out on the person’s hair! Then people blame the chlorine! It’s the copper in the water.
When it comes to testing, remember that you can only test for metals when they are in solution. Once oxidized, the metals come out of solution & cannot be tested. That’s why once a metal stain has occurred, the metal test will NOT show any metals present.
Here’s how to prevent metal stains: Read More→
