Swimming Pool Maintenance Tips
What is Chlorine?
- Chlorine Kills and controls bacteria and algae in water. Chlorine should be maintained between 1.5 – 5 ppm (parts per million) at all times, failure to do so will result in unsafe water for you and your family.
- At lower chlorine levels water may become green and cloudy and contain bacteria.
What is PH?
- Ph is a measure of the balance between acid and alkali in your pool water. It is measured on a scale of 1-14. A Ph of 1 would be totally acidic, while a Ph of 14 would be totally alkaline.
- Ph should be maintained between 7.2 – 7.8 at all times. Failure to maintain the Ph at this balance will result in swimmer discomfort, poor water quality and pool interior damage.
What is Stabiliser?
- Stabiliser reduces chlorine loss due to UV and heat. If the stabiliser level is to low, you would require twice as much chlorine to maintain your pool.
- Stabiliser should be maintained between 40 & 80 ppm. Your pool professional will test the stabiliser level and inform you when and how much to add.
- Stabiliser is often referred to as “sun screen”.
What is total alkalinity?
- Total alkalinity is a measure of the volume of alkali in pool water. Alkalinity should be maintained between 80 and 150 ppm. Maintaining the correct alkalinity will aid in keeping the water in correct balance prolonging the good appearance of your pool.
- Because alkalinity can be maintained in such a broad range, we suggest you take the advice of your pool professional who will tell you when and how to adjust it.
- Alkalinity is raised by adding sodium bi-carbonate and lowered with acid.
General pool rules.
- Test chlorine and Ph at least once a week.
- You should have your water checked every 4 to 6 weeks by a professional.
- Add chlorine in the evening and acid in the morning.
- Never mix chemicals together.
- The longer you run the filter the better the pool will look.
- Most pool problems are due to a lack of chlorine, incorrect Ph balance, Inefficient or insufficient filtration.