Kitchens & Bathrooms Home Interior Home Exterior Yard & Garden All Categories
Find a contractor for swimming pools, hot tubs, deck building, basement remodeling, kitchen remodeling, home improvement, bathroom remodeling, home remodeling, custom home building, home improvement Build :: Connect :: Grow
About Us | Contact Us | Login | Affiliates  
Homeowners

 
 • Services
 • Project Tools
 • Advice & Resources
 • Design & Product Ideas
 • Bathroom Remodeling
 • Kitchen Remodeling
 • Pool Center
Benefits
Finance Your Pool
Pool Building
Pool Services
Maintenance
Remodel Your Pool
Pool Design Gallery
 • Hot Tub and Spa Center
 • Custom Home Building
 • Lighting Center
 • Roofing Center
 • Renewable Energy
 • Window Fashions
 • Loan Center

Pool Services: Chemicals

Achieve pool balance with the right chemicals

Why use pool chemicals?

Although it may sound intimidating, keeping your pool chemically balanced has become much easier than in the past. Chemicals disinfect the water and also keep it sparkling clean. By adding chlorine or bromine to your pool water, you can protect yourself against germs and algae that might form on the pool's surface or in the water itself. Many supply stores offer free water testing and analysis and will make specific recommendations based on the results.

Balancing pH in Pool Water
Once you have tested your water, charts included in the testing kit will indicate your water's pH balance. The ideal pH level for pool water is between 7.2 and 7.6. Above 7.6, the water is more alkaline (base) and under certain conditions can form deposits in the piping and on pool surfaces.

Below 7.2 pH, the pool water is more acidic; the lower on the scale, the greater the acidity. If the water is too acidic, it can damage the piping and pool surfaces under certain conditions.

Maintaining your water slightly on the alkaline side (between 7.2 and 7.6) helps chemicals do a proper disinfecting job, keeps scale from forming on the pool and support equipment and retards any corrosion. NOTE: Water chemistry varies by location so something that works for a friend may not help your pool. If in doubt, don’t hesitate to contact your pool professional from Pool People USA if you are apprehensive about chemical dosages or if you have problems getting your water to balance.


Adding the Right Chemicals
The pH of your pool tells you which chemicals to add to maintain a 7.2 to 7.6 pH level. Sanitizers, chlorine, shock treatments, algaecides, and oxidizers all play a specific role in the care of your pool. You should be familiar with the use of each one as it applies to your pool. Most pool supply stores are more than willing to explain the benefits of these important chemicals and how they can be used.

Soda ash or sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate are common chemicals used to raise pH. Muriatic acid or sodium bisulfate lower pool water pH and make it more acidic. Liquid, powder or tablet forms of the chemicals are most often used in residential pools.

SAFETY NOTE: ALWAYS STORE CHEMICALS AND CLEANERS IN A SAFE AND SECURE AREA AWAY FROM CHILDREN AND PETS. BE SURE AND REGULARLY CHECK EXPIRATION DATES. USE PROTECTIVE GEAR AND ALWAYS FOLLOW MANUFACTURERS’ GUIDELINES FOR USE.




 Email this page to a friend  

Service Professionals Join Membership Today
Partner Sites: Home Improvement at ServiceMagic | Contractor Leads at SMPros | Find Contractors at 1800Contractor
Privacy Policy | Site Map | Terms & Conditions | SM Affiliates | Copyright 1999 - 2007, ServiceMagic, Inc. All Rights Reserved.