Water Chemistry
What do I do when my water is cloudy?
Most likely your cloudy pool is a sign of low sanitizer in the water. This is very typical after a heavy bather load.
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In order to reduce the cloudiness and increase the level of sanitation, follow these easy steps:
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Sweep the pool walls, sides, and steps
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Shock the pool. Depending on the amount of algae and cloudiness present, a double shock may be necessary.
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Filter the pool water for at least 8 hours per day
Will it affect my pool if the water isn't properly balanced?
When the alkalinity and pH are not balanced within a pool, damage can quickly be done to the equipment. Low pH and alkalinity can cause the heat exchanger to become extremely damaged.
When the pH and Alkalinity are high, the equipment can become calcified and scaled over time.
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When the chlorine levels are too high, the liner can become worn and wrinkled.
What do I do if my water turns green?
There are three types of green pool water:
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A bight yellow/green is caused by an iron-algae. This iron algae is very difficult to remove but can be done so using special chemicals and vacumming/filtering the pool.
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A typical grass green is a standard green algae that can be reduced with a heavy algaecide.
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A brown-green is a sign of oxidation between chlorine and the mineral/metal levels in a pool.
I can't get a chlorine level, what do I do?
When this occurs, add chlorine or shock to the pool every two hours. Continue until you have a free chlorine reading of 2-4ppm for at least a four hour period.
How long do I need to wait before I can swim after adding chemicals?
**Please refer to product labels for specific restrictions.
You can swim about 20-30 minutes after adding most chemicals. When adding acid to your pool we recommend that you wait a few hours before swimming.
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**Always test your pool water after adding chemicals and before swimming to ensure safe levels of chlorine are in the pool.
What chlorine level is safe to swim in?
The Association of Pool and Spa Professionals recommends keeping free chlorine levels between 2.0 and 4.0 ppm for the safest swimming.
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Swimming at a free chlorine level of 5.0-10.0 ppm is still safe for most people, but that is a personal choice for each family. A higher level of chlorine may damage pool equipment and irritate a swimmer's eyes and skin. We recommend showering off immediately after swimming in a higher chlorine level.