Four Steps To A Clean And Beautiful Swimming Pool

By Author: Lucy Carter
Total Articles: 102
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To achieve a perennially crystal-clear swimming pool with the correct chemical balance, there are four simple chemical treatment steps every pool owner needs to take. Remember: for best results you need to maintain optimal water flow through the skimmers (or chlorinator) and operate your pump and filter for at least ten hours every day.

The first step is to balance the water's pH. Maintaining a pH within 7.2 to 7.6 is vital to ensuring the maximum effectiveness of your swimming pool chemicals. It's a good idea to test your pool's pH level a minimum of three times a week and use pH reducing or increasing chemicals as necessary. If your pool's pH seems constantly out of range you should check the total alkalinity and make sure it's in the ideal range, adjusting alkalinity levels accordingly.

Step number two is to sanitize. Choose sanitizing tablets that will dissolve slowly and emit free chlorine into your water at a steady rate, eliminating bacteria and keeping your water clean. Sanitizing tablets that are stabilized to protect them from the damaging effects of sunlight will last longer and be more effective. ...
... Keep the correct number of sanitizing tablets in your skimmer, floater or automatic feeder at all times to maintain a fully sanitized pool all day every day.

The third step is to shock the pool water. Over time, debris and contaminants accumulate in swimming pool water and can cause eye and skin irritation as well as dull water. These contaminants can include urine, perspiration, suntan oil and hair spray. They bond to the chlorine and prevent it from sanitizing the water effectively. There are shock treatment chemicals that can be used once a week to oxidize such contaminants, thereby freeing up the chlorine and resulting in crystal-clear water. Resistant algae lurking in your pool water will also be removed with regular shock treatments.

The fourth, and last, step to achieving gorgeous pool water is algae control. Use a concentrated, low foaming algaecide that will work in harmony with your other pool chemicals. Non-metallic types are preferred since they won't lead to hair discoloration. Algaecides are most often used on a weekly basis to prevent all types of algae from growing in your pool.
Francesca Bailey is the manager of 1st Direct, leading providers of swimming pool chemicals, parts, pumps, and covers.