Pool chemicals help to keep your pool water sparkling and clean. Testing your pool two to three times a week will help you maintain adequate water balance and sanitizer levels. Proper testing will ensure that calcium levels are maintained, and that there aren’t any metals present in the pool water. Test your pool for adequate sanitizer levels as well as pH and total alkalinity.
The filter system in a pool’s does a lot of work to keep the water in the pool clean, but it’s also important to have the right chemical balance in pools. Pathogens such as bacteria thrive in water. Untreated water is a perfect place for disease-carrying microorganisms to move from person to person. Water with the wrong chemical balance can damage parts of the pool. Improperly balanced water can irritate skin and eyes and it can be cloudy.
To take care of pathogens, you need a disinfecting agent to get rid of them, and the most popular and familiar means to sanitize a pool is chlorine. Stabilized chlorine will sanitize your pool water. It is protected from sunlight degradation and an ideal for keeping your pool clean.
Bromide can also be used to sanitize your pool. It’s a reliable method for killing bacteria, and generally works better than chlorine in warmer water. It is ideal for spas and remains active longer than choline, so the volume needed is less than chlorine. An automatic brominator can be installed in your pool to best utilize it effectively.
Shocking the pool on a regular basis will also help keep the pool clear and clean. The surrounding environment and swimmers add waste to the pool that needs to be eliminated on a regular basis to avoid algae and cloudy water.
The lack of proper circulation, out of balance water chemistry, and low or no sanitizer levels typically lead to algae growth in pools. Carefully maintained pools can sometimes experience algae. Algaecides are a backup for your normal sanitation program, they prevent algae from growing in the pool and should be added after every shock treatment.
There are other chemicals that can help with specific issues such as alkalinity, calcium hardness, metals, and pH balance. To prevent issues, test your pool water regularly.
Professionals can help you determine the best type of sanitation for your pool.