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The
Chemicals
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. Chemicals disinfect the water and also keep it
sparkling clean.
How
to Use a Test Kit
You
can do most of the necessary water maintenance on your own
pool. Most pool stores stock easy-to-use test kits, and
testing the water is the first step.
Obtain
a reliable test kit and carefully follow the directions which
come with it. Some helpful hints include reaching far below
the surface to get an accurate water sample and taking your
sample at the same time of day, say early evening.
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.
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. 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.
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our Chemical Page
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