All swimming pools contain an amalgamation of chemicals and you can tell by simply smelling the pool’s water. There are five major aspects to balancing swimming pool chemicals and this should be checked on a weekly basis to make sure that unwanted bacteria and algae do not grow. Not only do bacteria and algae cause the pool to become murky and green, it will also attract mosquitos and other insects – making the swimming pool unsafe to swim in.
Chemistry is the key to keeping your pool sparkling, spotless, and safe. Who wouldn’t want their pool to have an unpleasant environment for swimming? Chemicals like muriatic acid keep the pH levels of the swimming pool’s water balanced and chlorine keeps bacteria and algae under control. Improper water levels will have a detrimental effect on circulation and filtration, therefore it is essential to keep a consistent volume of water in the pool. Low water level can make the chemicals too intense and water levels that are too high will dilute the chemicals, making them ineffective.
Chlorine
Concentrated chlorine can damage human cells, especially mucus membrane like the eyes. The pH of our eyes is around 7.2 to 7.4 and the ideal range for swimming pool water’s pH is 7.0 to 7.6. If the pool’s pH level is the same with our eyes, the side effect of swimmers with burning red eyes is kept to a minimum. However, if chlorine is diluted, it is not as harmful. The chlorine is carried around the pool via water molecules and can protect swimmers for a few weeks before it needs to be replenished.
Because chlorine may cause allergies to a good percentage of individuals, there are alternatives that have been created. Nowadays, non-chlorine swimming pool chemicals are available in the market, coming in several forms.
Shock Treatment
Rain, exposure to the sun, extensive use of the pool, and other organic materials result to cloudy water and may be unhealthy for swimming. Shocking the pool once a week is needed.
The common brand of oxidizer is in the form of powder that dissolves quickly. With the help of a pool skimmer, it is mixed and dispensed. They are also available in tablet form and granules. Tablets are applied through an automatic chlorinating feeder device and granules are added to a small volume of water, mixed, and then added to the pool bit by bit.
Every time the pool is used, unpleasant elements are added to the water, such as perspiration, dead body cells, and others that could pollute it. Because of this, the pool should be purified often. Impurities are not seen right away, not until the problem is serious. Impurities can also accumulate and form a chemical reaction between chlorine and ammonia. It is best to apply shock early in the evening so it can work overnight and be burned down to normal pool chemical levels the day after. Oxidizing the contaminants can be done with the help of pool shock treatments and the experts at Arizona Pool Keeper can help you with this.
When chlorine reacts with ammonia, shock treatment breaks down the compound that has been formed. Shocking your pool also helps in restoring the strength of chlorine in your pool’s water. Thus, keeping the water disinfected when used heavily.
Algaecide
Removing algae from the pool the quickest way is to use an algaecide. Algaecide is used on fish ponds, swimming pools, and other water gardens to reduce algae growth without harming the plants and creatures.
There are two types of algaecide: quaternary ammonia and metallic. Both are effective as swimming pool chemicals, but ammonia is the more common one because it costs less and is not likely to stain the pool. The thing is, it tends to bubble up and some pool owners find this slightly annoying.
Black algae are the tougher species, so if your pool has black algae, a specially formulated algaecide that can kill the tougher species of algae should be used. Algaecide should contain 30% active ingredient. If it is lower than this, the treatment will not be effective.
Regular use of algaecide may mean using lesser chlorine to purify the pool’s water as well as reducing the effects of eye stings caused by other swimming pool chemicals. Algaecide prolongs the life of the filtration system because there won’t be any plant material that can clog the filters and intakes of the pool pump.
Swimming pool chemicals are inexpensive and using them on your pool not only keeps it clean and sparkling, but proves to be beneficial to those who revel in the pool.
At Arizona Pool Keeper we provide weekly swimming pool maintenance and repairs and we use only the best pool chemicals. To get a FREE quote, call 480-595-7665 or e-mail support@azpoolkeeper.com today! We’d love to hear from you.
