Imagine stepping into your pool on a hot summer day, only to discover murky water and a strong chlorine smell. A poorly balanced pool is not only uninviting, but it can also harm your health and reduce the lifespan of your pool.
As we have learned along our long history as swimming pool builders, the best way to deal with this problem is to think of your pool as a living system, where every element needs to work together in harmony. Just as the human body requires the right balance of nutrients, your pool also needs the proper mix of chemicals to remain healthy. In this guide, we will demystify pool chemistry and show you how to maintain your oasis in perfect balance.
Basic Components of Pool Chemistry
To maintain a healthy pool, it’s crucial to monitor and adjust its chemical balance regularly. Here are some of the key components you must understand and manage:
- Chlorine: Chlorine is the primary disinfectant in pool maintenance. It works by killing harmful bacteria, viruses, and algae that can accumulate in the water, ensuring a safe swimming environment. Maintain a chlorine concentration of 1–3 ppm (parts per million) to keep the water sanitised without causing irritation to swimmers. Too little chlorine can allow contaminants to thrive, while too much can lead to a strong chemical odour or skin irritation.
- pH: The pH level is a measure of how acidic or alkaline the pool water is. This can directly impact swimmer comfort and also the effectiveness of chlorine. Aim for a pH level between 7.2 and 7.6, as this range is not only comfortable for swimmers but also optimises chlorine's performance. Water that is too acidic can cause corrosion of pool equipment, while water that is too alkaline can lead to scaling and reduce chlorine’s efficiency.
- Alkalinity: Alkalinity acts as a stabiliser for pH and helps in preventing sudden changes or fluctuations. Keep alkalinity levels within 80–120 ppm to create a balanced environment for other chemicals to work effectively. Keep in mind that without adequate alkalinity, maintaining consistent pH levels becomes challenging, leading to water instability and potential damage to the pool and equipment.
- Calcium Hardness: If calcium levels are too low, the water can become corrosive, damaging pool surfaces and equipment. On the other hand, high calcium levels can lead to scaling, which causes rough deposits on surfaces and clogs equipment. Try and maintain calcium hardness between 200–400 ppm to protect your pool’s structure while keeping the water balanced as well.
- Cyanuric Acid: The main role of cyanuric acid is to protect the chlorine from being broken down by ultraviolet rays, especially in outdoor pools. Without it, chlorine can degrade quickly, especially on sunny days, making it less effective in maintaining sanitation. We advise to keep cyanuric acid levels between 30–50 ppm. Be cautious not to exceed this range, as high levels can over-stabilise the chlorine, reducing its ability to sanitise effectively.
At the same time, it is always recommended to test chlorine and pH levels at least twice a week and other components weekly. By staying on top of these parameters, you’ll ensure your pool remains balanced, inviting, and safe for swimmers.
Troubleshooting Pool Chemistry Problems
Even with careful home swimming pool maintenance, pool chemistry issues often arise. Here are some of the most frequently encountered problems and how to solve them:
- Cloudy Water: The most common cause of cloudy water is high calcium hardness, imbalanced pH, insufficient chlorine, or a combination of all. The best solution to deal with this issue is to test and adjust chemical levels regularly. You can also try and shock the pool if necessary to remove contaminants.
- Algae Growth: Often caused by low chlorine levels, poor circulation, or prolonged sunlight exposure, algae growth is a frequent problem faced by pool owners. Some easy solutions include brushing pool surfaces, shocking the water, and ensuring adequate filtration.
- Eye or Skin Irritation: Eye or skin irritation is a common sign of high chlorine levels or an imbalanced pH. Testing and adjusting the pH to the ideal range and maintaining chlorine levels between 1–3 ppm will restore swimmer comfort.
- Strong Chlorine Odour: A strong chlorine odour is not a sign of too much chlorine but of chloramines, which simply means combined chlorine, that builds up when free chlorine reacts with organic matter. Shocking the pool will break down chloramines and restore the water’s balance.
- Scaling or Corrosion: Scaling and corrosion result from improper calcium hardness levels. High calcium causes scaling, while low calcium leads to corrosion. Testing the water and adjusting its hardness with calcium chloride or diluting the water can prevent these issues.
Common Pool Chemical Adjustments
Maintaining proper pool chemistry requires occasional adjustments to ensure all levels stay within the ideal range.
- To raise pH levels, add sodium carbonate (soda ash), and to lower them, use sodium bisulfate or muriatic acid.
- If chlorine levels drop, use chlorine tablets, liquid chlorine, or shock the pool for an immediate boost.
- To stabilise pH levels, you can add sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) to raise alkalinity, which prevents sudden pH fluctuations and keeps the water stable.
- Managing calcium hardness involves adding calcium chloride to increase levels or diluting the pool water by partially draining and refilling to reduce hardness.
- Gradual application of cyanuric acid without exceeding 50 ppm, ensures chlorine remains effective without becoming over-stabilized.
For best results, always add chemicals one at a time, pre-dissolve granules when necessary, and distribute them evenly around the pool. Regular adjustments and monitoring will keep your pool balanced and inviting year-round.
Conclusion
By now, you’ve got the tools and knowledge to keep your pool in perfect chemical balance. Even though maintaining pool chemistry may feel overwhelming at first, with a basic understanding and regular upkeep, it becomes a simple and manageable routine.
To minimise maintenance issues, on our pools, we use eco-friendly and rot-free Liner-enforced PVC for durability and anti-slip, which is easier to maintain and clean. If you require it, then we at Desjouauxpools can also renovate your existing pools with our patented swimming pool technology and enhance your pool life by decades. Here’s to a lifetime of carefree swimming in a pool that’s always ready for a splash!