The first critical step in treating swimming pools is finding out the water volume by doing a few simple calculations.
Although you may be hiring experts to clean and maintain your pool, as a homeowner, it pays to know about the basics of water treatment techniques, including how to maintain a pool’s pH balance, the importance of biocides, and the role of filtration in controlling algae.
Dosage rates in a majority of swimming pool products are usually stated in weights per 1000 L of water.
Your manual must also give you your pool’s capacity as well as guidance on water treatment techniques to keep the water clean, clear, and safe for use.
Maintaining the pool water balance.
If the pH value of a swimming pool is too low, the usual water treatment route is to put in more sodium carbonate or soda ash at the range of 10 g per 1000 L daily until the water reaches optimal levels.
But if your water is too alkaline, you must put dry acid or a pH reducer at the same concentration. Keep testing to ensure you keep the water in the correct pH range.
If you are unsure about the correct chemical dosage rate, you must check the manufacturer’s instructions.
Biocides for your swimming pool
Besides controlling the pH level of your pool, you will also need to disinfect your pool water regularly.
This means utilizing pool biocides to eradicate and control any bacteria or algae.
Bacteria can enter the water from the air, the skin of bathers, or bodily fluids. It also comes from environmental particles such as leaves dropping into the water. If you fail to maintain optimal disinfectant levels in the water, bacteria will start thriving and spreading.
Professional swimming and pool water testing
There are a few options for disinfecting the water in your pool. Each will have its advantages and disadvantages.
These are the two most common methods:
- Chlorine
Chlorine is the chemical that comes to mind when you want to keep your pool clean and free from harmful bacteria. Its other forms can be highly toxic. But the commercial chlorine-based swimming pool products are safe when used according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
When you first install your new pool, you will need to perform a shock treatment. After this, you can keep the levels maintained up to the recommended levels. You might also be required to give the water an additional treatment known as super chlorination, especially when there is algae growth or used heavily after a weekend.
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Saltwater chlorine
Saltwater chlorination is another popular way of keeping your swimming pool water clean.
This requires utilizing standard salt and electrolytic cells, which helps break down the salt to produce chlorine.
This is a better option for those who find that their skin and eyes are irritated by chlorine chemicals and do not like its bleaching effect on clothing and hair.
The electrolytic system regulates the salt levels automatically to ensure the chlorine is maintained at the proper levels.
Controlling algae in the water
One of the big problems that impact water quality and pools is the growth of algae.
Algae is a single plant cell that thrives in water and can grow and spread quickly when there is no sufficient disinfectant in the water to keep it under control.
Algae discolor the water resulting in an unsightly pool condition and poor water quality.
The most appropriate treatment for your pool will be determined by the type of algae present.
Filtration system for your swimming pool
Dissolved particles and solids will have to end up somewhere over many weeks of use.
These materials are often too tiny to get trapped into the filter of your pool since these filters are designed to trap bigger particles and debris.
But if you apply an ultraviolet system in your pool, it will reduce the number of dissolved solids in the water.
But if you don’t have one of these UV systems, an alternative filter aids such as pool flocculants and coagulants that can be utilized to encourage small particles to come together until they are huge enough to become trapped into the filter.
