Swimming pool maintenance, service, and repair (864) 546-1257

Palmetto Pools & Spas 

Servicing the Upstate of South Carolina

864-546-1257

www.palmettopoolsandspas.com

                                                                  

Sometimes it can feel like you need a chemistry degree to keep you pool water healthy and clear.  Well, fortunately, a pool owner doesn't have to be, but there are some basic things you need to know when it comes to maintaining your water.  We are going to cover the main components in swimming pool water chemistry.  If you manage these items effectively it will create a enjoyable and healthy water that will also save you money this season. 

Here are the main components to the balance of your pool water's chemistry:

• PH - This is the amount of Hydrogen that is in your pool water.  PH needs to stay in a range of 7.2 to 7.8.  The PH is crucial to stay in solution and when it doesn't it can cause a reaction to all other areas of the water's chemistry.  PH is the relative acidity of the pool water.  It gets lowered by the addition of the acidic rain in your pool.  Ideally, it is best to keep it within the range of 7.2 and 7.8.  When the PH lowers due to the rain, the water becomes acidic, and your chlorine loses its power quickly.  This will also cause corrosion of your pool equipment.

• Total Alkalinity - You should keep this in a range of 80 to 120 PPM.  This is essentially the ability of a solution to neutralize hydrogen ions.  This is a very important piece to the water chemistry and when it is out of solution it can impact many different areas of your water chemistry.  Total Alkalinity is the result of many alkaline materials in your water that includes carbonates, hydroxides, and bicarbonates.  This is your PH buffer.  If the TA is too high it can cause cloudy water and reduces the effectiveness of the Chlorine.  If the TA is too low it causes the PH to lower rapidly and causes etching and corrosive water.
• Calcium Hardness- You should try to keep the calcium hardness between 200 and 400 PPM.  Low calcium hardness results in corrosive water.  The plaster surface and tile grout softens and erodes.  The surface can also encounter staining.  High calcium hardness results in scale formation on the surface and scaling in the pipes.  High calcium will result in cloudy water and sore eyes.
• Free Chlorine - This is the chlorine that is killing the bacteria and reducing the algae outbreaks in your pool.

We hope this answers some questions for you pertaining to water chemistry in your pool.  If you would like one of our CPO certified technicians to help you with yours please do not hesitate to give us a call.  We have seasonal maintenance packages that can take care of this for you.  We can come out, analyze your pool, and help you with a balancing & sanitizing plan. 

Palmetto Pools and Spas has been servicing the industry for over 30 years.  We also have chemical delivery to your door.  We service Greenville, Spartanburg, Greer, Taylors, and Anderson.  Give us a call today (864) 546-1257.