Pool Ownership! What a Gift, Now Let Us Help You Enjoy It
Those who have a pool in their background and try to enjoy it as much as possible know it has dramatically improved their quality of life.
Relaxation and stress relief elements to physical fitness and entertaining to an investment that can add a considerable value to your home are so worth it.
However, to enjoy its full potential and reap these tremendous benefits, the pool structure, equipment, plumbing, electrical, water and other components must be appropriately maintained and cared for.
As many homeowners choose to maintain their pool independently, they soon learn it takes time and work. Many find that while hiring a professional maintenance company comes at a cost, it is well worth it as they have more time to enjoy the pool and less stress trying to keep it clean and doing the necessary repairs and updates.
The correct maintenance and care are critical for everything to look and work at its optimal level.
Here We Provide You with a Guide to Maintenance and Care
Maintaining Pool Chemical Levels Are Crucial
As every pool is different and no two are exactly alike, in contrast, the proper pool chemical levels will fall within the same range level. But, other elements such as sun and rain play a huge role in what happens to the chemicals under these conditions. Also, applying chemicals without maintaining the proper levels will make cleaning ineffective, leading to pool surface and component damage to algae growth, staining and unhealthy water that will put swimmer’s health at risk.
Water Balance
The most vital aspect of keeping the pool’s water healthy is the water’s chemical balance. For chlorine to work efficiently to kill bacteria, keeping the pool sanitary and safe, the pH, alkalinity, and calcium hardness must be within specific ranges. If not, the water’s clarity will spiral downward, and the risk of damage to the pool’s fixtures and structure will increase.
Now we show you six chemical level problems a homeowner can face if the water is not correctly balanced.
Chlorine
- Too little leads to algae growth.
- Insufficiency causes a rise in alkalinity, which causes cloudy water.
- High chlorine levels lead to skin and eye irritation.
- Highlevels can provoke breathing issues such as asthma.
- Excessive chlorine will raise the water’s acidity, resulting in the corroding of the equipment, pipes, and pool structure.
- The ideal range of free chlorine is 1.0 – 3.0 ppm.
Calcium Hardness
- The effects of low calcium levels can become noticeable quickly.
- Too little leads to a chalky surface while elements can start to erode.
- High levels will give the water a murky feel while scaling and staining the pool’s surface.
- Too much will reduce water flow through the pool’s filter lowering its efficiency, and as it prolongs, the filter can fail to work.
- The ideal calcium hardness levels should range from 200-400 ppm.
pH
- The pH levels refer to the acidity or baseness of the water.
- When the pH level is too low, it will cause the chlorine to dissipate.
- Too high will make the chlorine inactive.
- Too high and too low will result in algae growth and unhealthy water to swim in.
- The acceptable range is 7.2 – 7.8, with the ideal being 7.4 – 7.6
Alkalinity
- Alkalinity combines bicarbonates, carbonates, hydroxides and other alkaline substances.
- The pH is dependent on the alkalinity and keeps the pH levels stable.
- The ideal range is 80 – 120 ppm for gunite and concrete pools and 100 – 140 ppm for fiberglass and vinyl pools.
Stabilizer (Cyanuric Acid)
- Generally, added at startup with no need to add until the following year.
- It helps to maintain the correct chlorine level.
- If levels are not maintained, the chlorine will dissipate from the sun.
- Levels reaching 100 ppm can etch and discolor pool plaster.
- The ideal range is 60 – 80 ppm.
Maintaining Fixtures and Equipment
While cleaning and keeping the correct chemical levels is critical, maintaining the pool’s hardware and equipment is also vital.
A professional pool maintenance company will know to check all pool equipment and fixtures. Seeing the signs and finding a problem quickly can eliminate a costly repair or purchase.
Pools Structural Integrity
The same applies to the pool’s structural integrity, as problems can occur with fixtures and equipment. A small crack may seem minor; however, if not fixed an increase in damage and cost can incur.
Professional Guide to Maintenance and Care
In conclusion, some homeowners are happy to maintain their pools, while others find it time-consuming and stressful.
The team at BPS, The Backyard Pool Specialists, is here to make pool ownership a wonderful experience. We take the stress away and enable you to enjoy your pool to the maximum. Contact us today to learn about our pool maintenance and other services.
