Owning a pool is a big responsibility. Paying for installation is only the start of it. Afterwards, you’ll have to maintain your pool, and that includes managing your pool’s water quality. Poor pool water quality is not only disgusting, it can also be dangerous to your family and friends. This threat can include the spread of bacteria, viruses, and infections. Thankfully, there are strategies you can use to avoid these issues in the new year.
Pay Attention to Your Pool’s Chemistry
You may have thought what you learned in chemistry class in high school wouldn’t come in use again, but it will if you own a pool. One measure you’ll have to watch is pH. PH stands for potential of hydrogen and is a measure of exactly how acidic or basic something is. Basic in this sense refers to a substance’s ability to accept hydrogen. Your pool’s pH level should always be between 7.2 and 7.6.
You must also measure your pool’s alkalinity. This is the water’s ability to resist acids and changes in pH. It should always be between 80 and 120 parts per million. Lastly, you should measure calcium hardness. This should be kept between 200 and 400 parts per million.
Manage Your Pool’s Chemistry
Test your pool water’s chemistry every single week, including during the winter. Even if you are not using your pool, you should not ignore its chemistry. Unless everything comes out in the correct levels, you will need to make adjustments. This can be done by adding things like pH adjusters or alkalinity increasers to your pool water.
Use Pool Shock
Something you may also need to add to your pool at some point is “pool shock.” It is designed to kill off things that may have begun to live in your pool water, such as algae and bacteria. If your pool water looks cloudy, it has likely become contaminated and unsafe for human beings. Use pool shock to eliminate these contaminants.
Clean and Cover
You need to clean your pool throughout the year. Brush the walls and floor of your pool with a pool brush to prevent algae from growing on these surfaces. In addition, remove anything floating in the pool. When your pool is not in use, use a cover to prevent the water from evaporating and your pool’s chemistry from being altered by the elements.
If you live in Montgomery County, PA and require pool water testing or other pool services, hire DS Pools for the job. We can find a solution tailor-suited to your own pool and your own needs. Don’t wait. Your pool’s water quality is important.