A Guide to Proper Pool Water Chemistry

 

Summer is the perfect season for pool owners to enjoy their backyard paradise. With warm sunshine, delicious barbecues, and inviting crystal-clear water, it's no wonder that swimming is a favorite pastime.

 

However, many pool owners feel daunted by the prospect of managing their water chemistry and equipment. As a result, they often rely on expensive pool maintenance services to keep their pool in good condition. However, you don’t need to spend your hard-earned money paying a pool company to do regular testing, and you definitely don’t need to go out and buy a copy of “pool chemicals for dummies” to get the job done right.

 

By taking a few minutes to learn which few basic chemicals you need to monitor and how to monitor them, you can keep your pool water clean, safe, and inviting all summer long without calling in any reinforcements.

 

Anyone who’s had trouble keeping their eyes open while swimming underwater has experienced firsthand the perils of poor water chemistry. But imbalanced pool chemistry can lead to more than just irritation. It can also be a breeding ground for bacteria and create problems like staining, corrosion, and degradation of metals on your pool equipment and accessories.

 

By keeping your pool’s chemical levels in check, you’ll not only help keep your water clean and clear, but you’ll also help prolong the health of your pool, reduce the opportunity for bacteria and algae to grow, and ensure your family and friends enjoy your pool without stinging eyes or irritated skin.

 

Pool professionals suggest testing pool water a couple of times per week in the heart of swim season when the harshness of sunlight and body oils and fluids can combine to create problems. It’s easy to forget to be so vigilant, but water problems that are diagnosed early generally require much less corrective action.

 

 

Pool Chemistry 101: The Basics Water chemistry is relatively simple to maintain under normal use and manageable weather conditions. Experts advise there are just a handful of basic chemicals to keep under control with weekly testing using pool test strips. They include: pH level Total alkalinity Calcium hardness "Free" chlorine (chlorine that hasn’t yet begun to dissolve) Chlorine stabilizer Let’s dive into the basics of what you need to know about these pool chemicals, along with the ideal pool water chemistry levels for each.

 

 

 

 

 

Total Alkalinity (TA) is a crucial factor to balance in pool water because it directly affects the pH balance. The role of TA is to resist changes in pH when materials are added to the pool that could cause it to go up or down. When a substance is added to pool water that could alter the pH, TA reacts by neutralizing it and helps maintain the pH within the desired range. In essence, TA serves to keep the pH in check and prevent any drastic fluctuations that could lead to water balance issues.

 

Ideal TA range: 80-120 ppm

How to adjust TA: To increase TA, you can add an alkalinity increaser like sodium bicarbonate, while to decrease it, you can add muriatic acid or sodium bisulfate.

 

pH refers to the acidity, commonly measured on a scale of 0 to 14. A pH level below 7 means water is overly acidic, whereas a level approaching 8.0 renders water “basic” or alkaline. This works hand in hand with Total Alkalinity, which measures (in parts per million) alkali metals like sodium and potassium that occur naturally in pool water.

 

Ideal pH range: 7.4-7.6 ppm

 

Why pH balance matters: Maintaining proper pH balance is crucial to keep the water clean, clear, and safe for swimmers while protecting pool equipment. When pH levels are too low in a pool, the water becomes acidic, causing damage to pool equipment, skin, and eye irritation, making it difficult for chlorine to work effectively. When pH levels are too high, causing scale buildup, cloudy water, and irritation. It also makes it difficult for chlorine to sanitize the water.

 

How to balance pH: If you have fluctuating pH levels, it may be due to low Total Alkalinity. You can add baking soda to increase the alkalinity and stabilize the pH. However, it's important to follow recommended guidelines and not exceed the suggested dosage. If your pool's pH levels are too high, use a pH decreaser like sodium bisulfate or muriatic acid.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s important to remember that deviations from acceptable ranges for chemicals (especially when first beginning the process of “opening” the pool after winter or a period of storms) are common and usually simple to correct. But pool chemistry problems typically reveal themselves in obvious ways. You just need to know what to look for and how to test and treat your water, and you’ll be good to go.

 

Your local pool professional can still be called in occasionally to ensure everything is in working order, or to even share their best tips for balancing your pool chemicals with ease. But by using the proper water testing tools and paying careful attention to your pool water, most pool owners manage just fine on their own. With practice, we’re willing to bet pool water testing will become second nature over time, helping you save money and get much more enjoyment out of your pool.

 

At Pool Supply Unlimited, you’ll find everything you need to test, treat, and maintain your pool chemistry for a summer of safe swimming in clean, crystal-clear water. We even have the pool chemical feeders to make your chemical-balancing worries a thing of the past.

 

If you have more questions about water chemistry or need guidance on what chemicals you should get for your pool, we're here to help! For even more of today’s top pool supplies, including pool filters and handy pool maintenance items, check out our vast selection of pool supplies at the industry’s best prices. For more pool chemistry advice, feel free to comment below or give us a call for expert advice from one of our pool professionals.