If this is your first time owning a swimming pool, please be ready. A range of existing pool chemicals might overwhelm you. As a rookie in this department, it is perfectly normal to ask yourself this question:
“What chemicals do I need for my pool?”
Despite the pool chemicals available on the market, you probably do not need all of them. For starters, it all depends on where the properties of the water are. Then, you will need to learn how to test your water – both figuratively and literally.
Of course, we will start with the most basic first. This will help you to determine which chemicals to use for your pool.
The Basic Chemical Needs for Your Pool
When it comes to chemicals for your swimming pool at home, chlorine is the most basic. It helps to sanitize your pool. That way, your swimming pool is safe to dip in. Otherwise, it will be teeming with bacteria and algae.
Chlorine can come in the form of liquid, tablets, or granules. You can add either one of them to your pool. Another thing that you can do is to use a chlorine generator. This is to convert salt into chlorine. You might want to consult your swimming pool installer before you decide to do this.
The amount of chlorine should be just right. If you have it too few, it will give the bacteria more space to rule. If you have it too much, you will get swimmers’ complaints regarding their irritated eyes and skin. Between 1 and 3 parts per million (ppm) is the most tolerable chlorine level.
To make sure of that, chlorine test strips should be applied on the electronic pool water tester. From there, you can find out the amount of chlorine in the water.
The Chemicals To Keep Your Pool Clean and Clear
The next step is to figure out which chemicals to keep your pool clean and clear. This is especially important if your swimming pool is outdoor. The ultraviolet radiation breaks down the chlorine.
For that, you need a stabilizer called cyanuric acid. The level of this stabilizer should be between 30 and 100 ppm in your pool water. The tablet version of chlorine has built-in stabilizer. For liquid and granular chlorine, you need to add cyanuric acid in it.
This also goes for a salt chlorinator. You also need to add a stabilizer in it.
Once in a while, shocking your pool by adding a high dose of chlorine is necessary. This will help to restore the chlorine levels and kill off algae. The result of this is the water in your swimming pool that looks slightly green. Another alternative is to use calcium hypochlorite for:
- A pool shock treatment
- A regular-pool sanitizer
The Chemicals Needed to Keep The Pool Equipment Working Wonders
Be careful when adding anything too much into your pool water. If it gets too acidic or has too much alkaline, the pool equipment can be damaged. That can also prevent chlorine from working well.
To measure your pH level on a daily basis, use an electronic pool water tester. Other things you can use to do the same thing are pH test strips. If the pH is below 7.2, then the water is too acidic. If it is over 7.8, then that means the water has too much alkaline in it.
To decrease the pH level, add muriatic acid or granular acid. Put it in the pool’s deep end and let the pump run. If the pH level gets too low after that, you can raise it again by adding soda ash to the water.
From here, now you know that these are the things that you need to maintain your swimming pool:
- Chlorine
- Cyanuric acid as a stabilizer
- A pool shock treatment
- Acid to bring down the pH level
- An electronic pool tester or testing strips
Things To Watch Out For When Using Chemicals To Maintain Your Swimming Pool
To keep your swimming pool clean and clear, the maintenance must be done regularly. Do not forget to store your pool chemicals away from your children and pets.
When you do all of the steps above, you can start by drying out the pool first before refilling it with fresh, clean water. Then, you can start testing the water with all the chemicals and equipment needed. This way can help you to keep your swimming pool clean all summer long.
Conclusion
It turns out that owning a swimming pool is not as easy as it looks in movies. It takes a lot of hard work and money to keep it clean and clear. However, if you are ready to learn more about using the right chemicals for it, then why not? The bonus side is that you have your own swimming pool for regular workout sessions at home.
Now you know, so you no longer need to ask yourself:
“What chemicals do I need for my pool?”
