Pool Maintenance 101: All About Pool Water

Water may be the most important component of any swimming pool. Maintaining good water chemistry and sanitation will keep your pool safe, corrosion-free, and enjoyable. Keep reading and find out everything about taking proper care of your pool water.

Benefits of taking proper care of your pool water

  • Without proper care, your swimming pool is a hotbed of bacteria, parasites, and viruses. If these come into contact with your eyes or skin, or worse, if you swallow contaminated pool water, you may run the risk of infection. Avoid various diseases by making sure your pool is properly sanitized and safe for swimming.
  • If pH levels of your pool water is not on the normal scale, or if your pool has high acidic levels, metal handles, ladders, or rails are more prone to corrosion, which may be costly to replace. It is also not safe and not fun at all to swim in pool water full of rust and other contaminants.
  • You feel more at ease and comfortable swimming in a pool that you know is perfectly safe and sanitized. Taking proper care of your pool will also save you lots of money in the long run as you will prevent infections and diseases as well as the hefty repair costs.

Keep these terms in mind

  • pH Levels – this is the measure for the acidity and alkalinity of your pool water. Keeping the pH levels balanced will make your chlorine sanitizers more potent. If the pH level of your pool water is highly acidic, it is more corrosive to your pool’s metal parts; if it is highly alkaline, pool water will deposit more dissolved minerals. Keep your pool water’s pH levels in check at least every week. Test kits are available in the market and it usually comes with a manual which will guide you on the perfect pH levels.
  • Pool Filter / Filtration System – this pool equipment acts like the lungs of your swimming pools as it screens out dirt, particles, and other contaminants present in your pool water.
  • Pump / Circulation System – the pump circulates your pool water and runs it through the filter to eliminate any impurities.
  • Sanitizer – this chemical disinfects your pool water and keeps it sanitized. There are several kinds of sanitizers, examples of which are chlorine, salt, and bromine.
  • Pool Shocking – this refers to adding more sanitizer – most commonly chlorine – to your pool to maintain cleanliness of your pool water.

Common pool water problems

  • Cloudy pool water is an indicator that your filtration system or circulation pump may not be working well. Check these equipment and conduct pH level tests on your pool water regularly and correctly to make it cleaner and clearer.
  • Growth of algae in swimming pools can be caused by poor pH levels. If your pool water is not balanced properly, the performance of your sanitizers will not be as effective and it will encourage algae growth. To get rid of it, balance the pH level and add algae treatment. Cleaning pool surfaces can also help. As preventive measure, use pool shock treatment and algaecide.
  • Water discoloration may be due to high levels of metals and minerals present in your pool which chlorine has oxidized. Greenish color suggests that your pool water contains copper, a reddish tint means iron, and purple or blackish hue means manganese. Check if your pool water filtration is faulty as this may be the cause of the problem.

 

How to keep your pool water clean

  • Install circulation pump and filtration system and check and clean these equipment regularly to make sure they are optimally functioning.
  • Test your pool water chemistry at least every week to keep sanitizer and pH levels within normal range.
  • Perform pool shock treatment at least every week or after every event that may cause a lot of contaminants to your pool water such as pool parties or storms.
  • To avoid algae growth in your pool, use algaecide weekly.
  • Skim any fallen leaves, debris, and other matter floating in your pool’s surface.
  • Regularly drain your pool and scrub pool walls and floors to clean out dirt buildups. This is also the perfect time to replace your pool water.*