It doesn’t take long for new pool owners to realize that their cool and refreshing oasis can instantly become a swamp that houses your sixth grader’s next science experiment if not properly maintained. Algae, bacteria, and an overgrowth of germs can make even the nicest pools a hotbed for sickness and disease. Knowing how to effectively clean pool water is key to enjoying your swimming pool.

First, many people decide that the best option is to hire a professional pool cleaner. It may seem simple at first, but maintaining clean pool water on a regular basis takes a commitment to regularly perform cleaning tasks, as well as an understanding of the various chemicals involved. If for instance, your pool developed algae, you would need to understand the right chemicals to add to restore the balance and proper PH level of your pool. However, if you can’t afford to hire a professional, you can properly maintain clean pool water, you just need to understand the various chemicals and their use.

To begin with, you will need Chlorine, Shock treatment, PH, Bromine Tablets, Cyanuric Acid, Bicarbonate, Screener, and a Pool Vacuum, and a pool scrubbing brush for keeping tiles clean from grime, oil, and debris. You will also need to purchase a pool testing kit to make sure that the PH levels and other important readings are in the proper range. Make sure that you understand how to use each chemical according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

The simplest method of cleaning the pool is to use a skimmer and to remove all leafs or floating debris. This must be done regularly. In addition, it is imperative that you keep your pool’s filter system well maintained. Failure to regularly clean the filter can cause the pool’s pump to break. It is very important to regularly brush the sides of the pool as well. Vacuuming, brushing, and checking the pool’s strainer baskets are all tasks that should be completed every week.

If you find that wind is causing a lot of debris to build up in your pool, the best treatment is to vacuum more often. Larger leaves and debris at the bottom of the pool should be removed before they enter the filtration system. You can easily remove these by using a leaf bagger. Finally, be sure to store all pool chemicals safely out of the reach of children, and pool equipment out of direct sunlight.Similar Posts:

• The water quality of swimming pools
• Comparison of Swimming Pools

However there are many factors that need to be considered before a swimming pool is built. There must be adequate space in the backyard, a good fence surrounding the area for the pool, and then a decision has to be made to have an above ground one put in, or have an under ground one built in. An above ground pool and an under ground pool both have their share of pros and cons, so they must be weighed appropriately in order to make a good decision.

An above ground pool does not look as good as an under ground pool, because the sides of the pool are visible and not usually very flattering. It also does not add as much property value to a house when it is put in.

However an above ground pool is much cheaper than an underground one. Above ground pools are usually cheaper because they are prefabricated, and do not require excavation, or any under ground plumbing to be installed. Above ground pools usually do not require a heater, because the water is heated by the sun, and the since the water is above ground the heat from the water does not get distributed to the ground around it. An under ground pool usually takes quite a bit longer to get hot during the summer, because the soil around it pulls the heat out of the water.

Another very important thing to consider when choosing what type of pool to put in is cleaning. A pool is always going to get dirt and leaves in it, but an above ground one will get much less than an under ground pool. An under ground pool usually gets much more dirt in it, because it is even with the ground and everything can blow into it very easily. Also bugs and rodents can get into an under ground pool much more easily than an above ground pool, because it is even with the ground.

With all of this said it sounds like an above ground pool would be a slam dunk choice, but many people really prefer the aesthetics and added property value that comes with an under ground pool.Similar Posts:

• The water quality of swimming pools
• Keep your Swimming Pool water clean!

We’ve all been to a pool where the water strongly smells of chlorine and our eyes were burning and red after going into the water. Many think that this occurs when there is too much chlorine in the water. Ironically, when it comes to above ground pool chemistry, just the opposite is true – there is not enough chlorine in the pool water when it smells strongly of chlorine.

A smelly above ground pool indicates the presence of excess chloramine. Chloramine is produced when there is not sufficient chlorine present in the water to oxidize sweat, body oil, urine and perfumes introduced to the water by swimmers.

“Free” chlorine is what kills bacteria and germs in pool water along with oxidizing natural ammonia waste products from humans – the sweat, body oil and urine. If there is not enough chlorine in the pool, the chlorine actually bonds to the ammonia creating chloramine.

Once enough of the free chlorine bonds with the ammonia waste products to create chloramine, the pool water begins to smell of chlorine and can cause skin irritation.

To prevent chloramine from forming in the first place, above ground pool owners need to maintain a pool chemistry with the proper balance of free available chlorine (FAC) and combined available chlorine (CAC) (the chlorine being used in the chloramine compounds). The amount of combined chlorine, the stuff we have to watch out for, can be calculated once you test for free chlorine and total chlorine.

combined chlorine = total chlorine – free chlorine

Combined chlorine should never exceed 50% of the free chlorine value and ideally should be kept less than 0.2 parts per million.

If your pool water smells of chlorine caused by excess chloramine, you will need to use a “shock treatment” to help destroy the excess ammonia and chloramine compounds. To destroy the chloramine and get the pool chemistry back to where it should be through shock treatment or superchlorination, the amount of free chlorine needs to be about 10
times the combined chlorine.

Don’t forget that above ground pools that are in direct sun may lose more of their free chlorine on particularly warm days and may allow for greater chloramine formation.

It is often said the best offense is a good defense. If you know ahead of time that your pool will see a large increase in use due to a scheduled event, you should take preventative action by shocking the pool prior to their arrival.

Additionally, vacuum and brush your above ground pool daily to remove the dirt chlorine reacts with that hasn’t been removed by the filters.

Indoor pools, pools used for competition, and pools with heavy usage are more likely to have problems with chloramine and the noxious chlorine smell that comes with high amounts of chloramine in pool water. The American Chemistry Council published an article by Tom Griffifths (Dir. Of Aquatics for Penn State University) where he states his belief that the “ideal” ranges for chlorine in public swimming pools is “simply too low and just plain wrong.” He recommends that heavily used pools should maintain 3.0 – 4.0 parts per million of chlorine in order to prevent chloramines.

Properly maintained pool chemistry may not be the best way to deal with pool odor. By enforcing a strict policy that all bathers must shower (preferably a full soap-shower) prior to entering your above ground pool, you can eliminate much of the problem before it starts. There are some who believe if everyone showered before entering pools, the need for chlorine would be reduced by 50%. Explain to your swimmers and bathers that the more they shower off their naturally occurring body oils, the less chlorine will need to be added to the pool. By making toilet facilities more accessible, you will also make the pool, uhm, less convenient.

By maintaining the proper pool chemistry and keeping chloramine to a minimum, you make your above ground pool more attractive and safer for your friends and family. They’ll thank you for it – after all, red and irritated eyes have never made for much of a fashion statement.Similar Posts:

• Comparison of Swimming Pools
• Keep your Swimming Pool water clean!