Proper Care And Maintenance Of Your Swimming Pool Water

While it may at first seem complicated, keeping your pool water clean and safe basically comes down to testing it routinely then adding the necessary chemicals to keep it balanced. The water in your pool should have an alkaline pH level, which measures 7.5 pH or more.  If the pH level goes over this, the water can become acidic and can cause eye and skin irritations and even infections. If the pH level dips below 7.5 pH it can lead to algae build up and corrosion of the pump system, plaster, tile grout, cement and even metal pipes.

When the water has a pH level higher than 8 it can not only cause problems for your swimmers but also to the pool itself. Issues caused by high pH can include calcium carbonate build up on the walls, filter, pipes and pool pump. These issues can also cause corrosion and minimize water flow and reduce the effectiveness of your water filter. The key is to keep the pH balanced, you can be sure you are keeping it between 7.2 and 7.6 by purchasing a pH water tester at your local pool supply store. All you have to do it scoop up some water and place a few drops of solution into the water sample.

In times when the pool is being used most often and the weather is warm there can be an increase of unhealthy contaminants in the water. These might include bacteria, algae and other types of build up that might be caused by dead skin cells, body oil, sweat and urine. When the weather is warm it only increases the likelihood that bacteria will grow rapidly, which can create a cloudy look to the water of the pool. To make sure this doesn’t happen, routinely add a sterilizer or pool shock. These chemicals will kill any bacteria or contaminants and ensure that the water is healthy and safe.

These pool sanitizers and shockers often contain chemicals like chlorine, peroxide and bromine which work to kill those bacterial organisms. They can also destroy the particles so there is no leftover organic matter floating in the pool that you can or can’t see. These chemicals can also skew the pH balance of the water so it is important to test the water’s pH balance before declaring it safe and clean.  

Pool maintenance can be done without the help of a professional, but expect to invest a couple hours every week and maybe more during the summer time to care for your pool properly. Aside from making sure the water is clean and balanced, you will also need to clear the pool of any debris, keep the water filter clean and remove any algae or mold build up that you might find. While hiring someone to maintain your pool eliminates a lot of the work, you will need to be aware of what they should be doing and what your pH is to determine if they are doing a good job.

While your area’s climate and geographical location can affect what needs to be done and what chemicals to use and how much, it is relatively simple to keep your pool maintained and clean. By staying on top of the water’s pH balance, smell, look and feel you should be able to adjust chemicals accordingly. To help make maintenance even easier keep track of air pollution levels, pollen levels and be sure your swimmers maintain good hygiene. Also make a pool maintenance routine that works for your schedule and allows you to continually monitor your pool and prevent any sort of accumulation or contamination. If planning a vacation be sure you have someone who can maintain this schedule, whether it be a professional pool maintenance person, a friend or neighbor. It is important that proper care is maintained in order to prevent serious problems with your pool water or equipment.