One of the most critical steps of swimming pool maintenance is water balance. Typically, understanding water balance can also be one of the most confusing processes of pool maintenance. Because of its complexity, many pool owners don’t know everything they have to do to keep their pool safe, comfortable and corrosion free. Our team here at Paradise Oasis Pools has compiled a list of reasons why it is important to balance your pool water, as well as how to go about this general maintenance practice.

Paradise Oasis Pools RecommendsBalancing Your Pool to Prevent:

Our Pool Design Process

Skin Irritation or Eye Problems

If your pool is not properly balanced, you have the potential for skin irritations any time you immerse your skin in any kind of chemicals. The purpose of utilizing chemicals inside a pool is to keep it clean and to keep bacterial from taking over what is essentially a giant pool of standing water.

Corrosion

If you don’t want everything you put in your pool to corrode, water must be balanced properly. While pool chemicals can be extremely strong, the bacteria and other organisms they are designed to keep in check can be as well.

Damaged Pool Equipment

If some pool chemicals are too high, this can result in the equipment being damaged. Because the filter is a very expensive and crucial component of your pool, you want to protect it and keep it working properly. If your pool water is unbalanced, this can cause you to have to replace these expensive pieces of equipment much earlier than you would have to otherwise.

Paradise Oasis Pools Guide forBalancing Your Pool

Our Pool Design Process

Before adding any chemicals to your pool, it is crucial to turn your pump on so that the chemicals will be circulated through the pool. When working with chemicals, only a certain amount of chemicals per 10,000 gallons of water can be added at one time. If more than the maximum amount needs to be added, then you will have to add it in increments.

Alkalinity

Total Alkalinity is checked first because it acts as a buffer for the pH. Ideally, the range for total alkalinity is 80-120 ppm. You will need to add either an Alkalinity Increaser or a Sodium Bisulfate to decrease Alkalinity.

pH

The pH is the relative acidity of your pool water. Ideally, the water should be in the range of 7.4 – 7.6. Anything below 7.0 represents an alkaline condition (high pH). You will need to add either a pH increase (Sodium Carbonate) or a pH decrease (Sodium Bisulfate).

Calcium Hardness

Calcium hardness is the amount of minerals, in the case of calcium, which is present in the water. Ideally, the range for Calcium hardness is 200 – 400 ppm. Raising the Calcium hardness requires the use of Calcium Chloride. If the Calcium Hardness levels are high, you will need to either drain your pool completely or partially.

Cyanuric Acid

Cyanuric acide is sold as either a pool stabilizer or pool conditioner. It helps protect chlorine from being destroyed by the sun. You will need to be within the 30 – 50 ppm range to achieve an ideal amount of Cyanuric acid.

Chlorine

Chlorine is used as a sanitizer or disinfected to kill any bacteria, living organisms, ammonia or other contaminates in the pool. Chlorine comes in a gas, liquid, granular or tablet form. The Free Available Chlorine must be between the 2.0 – 4.0 range to have a balanced pool.

Paradise Oasis Pools recommends balancing your swimming pool regularly to ensure your safety, as well as prevent corrosion and equipment damage. Don’t hesitate to contact us with the link below for more information!