Lounging on a lazy afternoon by the side of a clear and sparkling swimming pool, or returning home after a long day and getting down to some laps in the pool- these make up some of the dreams many people have when they think of having a swimming pool in their home. What most people fail to think about, however, is the aspect of swimming pool maintenance. For you to enjoy that dream of profound relaxation and leisure provided by your swimming pool, maintenance will play a critical role. Swimming pool maintenance is crucial in ensuring that your pool is always clean, safe and enjoyable.
As part of routine maintenance, there are several chemicals and tests that you will be required to apply to your swimming pool. These chemicals are crucial to cleaning and maintenance of your swimming pool. The following are some chemicals and tests that every present and future pool owner should get acquainted with.
Chlorine
Chlorine is a chemical mostly used for its bleaching properties. When added to water, chlorine radicals formed in the mixture act as sanitizing agents. Chlorine helps to kill germs, prevent the growth of various microbes, and also balances the pH levels in your pool. Chlorinating a pool is a fairly easy process that any homeowner can carry out. Certain levels, however, should be targeted during chlorination. Your swimming pool maintenance company, like Cygnet Pool Supplies & Service Pty Ltd, should explain the process easily. You can as well opt to leave it to the professionals. Ensure that your swimming pool is chlorinated as regularly as possible because chlorine disintegrates in the presence of sunlight and the levels drop.
Since chlorine may be harsh to the skin and eyes when not properly applied, some people use bromine as an alternative to chlorination. Bromine is less harsh and does not feature the acrid smell associated with chlorine. It is, however, not as strong an agent as chlorine.
Cyanuric acid
This chemical is added together with chlorine as a stabilizing agent. It prevents the chlorine from disintegrating too fast in the sun. Cyanuric acid should also be added considerately since too much may also mean there is less free chlorine available for sanitization.
Acidity/Alkalinity
Acidity and alkalinity are commonly referred to as the pH levels of your pool. Th pH levels in your pool should be balanced to ensure problems such as water irritation and corrosion do not occur. Swimming pool maintenance professionals can check levels of your pool pH using simple kits provided at swimming pool stores. The pH levels of your pool also require regular checking and adjusting since pool water is constantly subjected to chemicals from lotions, sunscreen, oils, and other materials brought to the water by the pool users.
Calcium hardness
Finally, calcium leaches off the rocks and cement used to build pools. The chemicals in pool water such as chlorine aid this process. Calcium hardness of the water in pools can be checked using simple test kits that you can use yourself, or have a swimming pool maintenance professional carry out. To adjust calcium levels, some people add calcium tablets to their pool. This helps prevent the pool water from damaging the plaster used in the pool.
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