Pool care probably isn’t number one on anybody’s list of favorite things to do, but it’s a necessary part of taking good care of your investment. Once you make a habit of requiring pre-swim showers and build a routine of regularly skimming, vacuuming, and brushing your pool’s interior surfaces, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying a properly maintained pool (see Parts 1, 2 & 3). If you’re already doing all of these things, there’s just one more step we’re going to cover to help you keep your pool in tip-top shape. Make sure you keep the pH of the water balanced.
Maintain the Proper pH Level in Your Pool
Pool owners often struggle to keep their pool water’s pH level balanced. It’s a fairly complex dynamic equation, and for those who haven’t participated in a chemistry experiment since high school, it can seem a bit intimidating. For this crucial step in pool maintenance to be completed correctly, the chemicals have to be added in the right amounts as well as the right order. This will keep the total alkalinity and the pH at the right levels to create a neutral balance of the water. If you have a hard time keeping your pool’s pH level in balance, you may want to do some in-depth reading on the topic. The more knowledge you can glean about the how and why of pool chemistry, the better equipped you will be to keep your pool water clean and safe for swimming.
Why You Shouldn’t Let Your Pool’s pH Level Get Unbalanced
Once in awhile, especially if you’re a new pool owner, your pool’s pH level may become slightly unbalanced. If that happens, don’t beat yourself up over it. Just take the necessary steps to correct the problem and try to stay on top of things so that it doesn’t happen again. If you do get into a habit of forgetting to balance your pool’s pH level regularly, especially if you let it get completely out of balance, you’re probably going to end up accidentally causing some damage to your pool components. Your heater, pool liner, and other equipment can suffer sometimes irreparable harm from a pool with unbalanced pH levels. That’s why it’s so critical to keep up with this step of pool maintenance.
How a Seemingly Small Imbalance Can Pose a Major Problem
Many pool owners often let their pool water’s pH balance get higher than 8.0. Letting the level get this high can, however, cause the chlorine to stop functioning in its vital role of killing bacteria in your pool. Do you see your pool water looking green and cloudy? That’s a sure sign that the chlorine is not working effectively. This is an especially common problem for people with saltwater pools. If you’re one of those pool owners who can’t seem to keep your pH level balanced, don’t give up. Consider taking extra steps to help regulate the pool’s pH, such as including borates in your pool chemical routine.
A well-maintained pool is a great place to relax and create wonderful memories. Though it takes some work to keep your pool clean, it will be worth it in the end. You’ll avoid costly damage and provide a safe, inviting environment for your friends and family.
Leave a Reply