What Affects My Swimming Pool Water Chemistry?

What Affects My Swimming Pool Water Chemistry?

Even with proper care and maintenance, a Nashville area swimming pool can still get out of balance and need a little adjusting. Your water chemistry is constantly changing due to environmental factors, usage, and even the toys you put in the pool. Learn five factors that play a major role in your swimming pool water chemistry, and how you can control common issues in this area.

 

Swimming Pool Water Chemistry: pH Balance

pH is the major factor you should keep balanced when maintaining your swimming pool water chemistry. pH refers to the level of acidity in your water, and comes from the use of chemicals to keep it balanced and free from contaminants and algae growth. You want your pH to remain between 7.4 to 7.6 at all times to avoid burning eyes and to allow for free chlorine use.

 

Swimming Pool Alkalinity

Closely connected to pH, the alkalinity is the amount of base, or hydrogen ions, in your water. It also refers to the ability of your water to contain and reduce the loss of hydrogen. Keeping your alkalinity balanced helps to keep your pH levels optimal when additional acids or bases are introduced to the water. You want your pool’s alkalinity to be between 80 to 150 parts per million (PPM).

 

Pool Water Calcium Hardness Levels

Your pool has dissolved calcium salts in its water. These can increase or decrease from the oils and salts on people’s skin, from debris that falls into your pool, and from the chemical reactions that form from maintaining your water balance. You want to keep these levels around 250 ppm. If the calcium level is too low, it can create pitting in the plaster, while high amounts of calcium make the water cloudy and can result in scaling.

 

TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) in Your Swimming Pool

When a pool has been in use for a long time, things like suntan lotion, chlorides, dirt, debris, algaecides, and other contaminants can be introduced into the water from leaves, tree bark, dirt, skin chemistry, and other factors. TDS can’t be avoided, but it should be kept under 450 ppm.

 

Pool Chlorine Levels

Chlorine is, for many people, a vital part of keeping the chemistry in their water properly balanced. Too much chlorine, and you’ll end up with burning in the eyes and a strong odor. Too little, and the pool’s alkalinity and pH will be out of control, leading to things like cloudy water and algae growth. Ideal chlorine levels should be at 0.2ppm or less, and free chlorine should be in the range of 1 to 3 ppm.

If you are looking for the best professionals to maintain your pool, turn to Pool and Spa Depot or fast, friendly, and reliable service. We build pools so we know pools. With regularly scheduled service, you can rest easy and focus on simply enjoying your pool.

Pool and Spa Depot is able to remodel your existing pool, build you a brand new one, and provide the very best in Nashville area pool maintenance. With springtime upon us, now is the time to get started! Read about our pool services and give us a call for answers to all your questions today.

 

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Pool and Spa Depot has been a trusted family-owned and operated full-service pool company serving Clarksville, Nashville, Cookeville, Bowling Green, La Vergne and the surrounding areas since 1996. Pool and Spa Depot specializes in creating and caring for custom backyard pools, spas and living spaces from the initial pool design phase to long after pool construction is complete.

Whether you’re in the market for an inground gunite pool, steel wall swimming pool, fiberglass pool, above ground pool, or semi-inground pool construction, or are looking for reliable pool and spa maintenance or renovation and repair services, Pool and Spa Depot offers it all.

Contact Pool and Spa Depot today to speak with a outdoor living specialist who can handle all of your pool care needs and outdoor living solutions. Stop by their state-of-the-art facility in the Cool Springs area in Brentwood to see 80,000 square feet of the largest selection of pool and spa products, pool chemicals, hot tub accessories and add-ons on the market today, or stop by their one of four outlet locations to pick up your immediate pool care supplies.

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