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Pool
Maintenance |
Step 1 See Your
DealerYour
dealer uses professional water testing equipment to determine what chemicals are needed to
get your pool water off to the right start. Then it is up to you to provide routine
poolside testing and chemical maintenance. Occasionally, you will return to the
dealer for water sample check-ups and advice on solving any special problems.
Taking A Water Sample To
Your Dealer
From the deep end of the pool, reach down to elbow depth and collect a one
pint water sample in a clean plastic container. Take this water sample directly to your
pool dealer. Based on the results of the water analysis, the dealer will let you know how
to begin chlorinating your pool.
Q: How often should I have my pool water
professionally analyzed?
A: When opening the pool, closing it and once more about midway through the season.
Why Stabilizer Is
Important
Without stabilizer, the sun’s rays would quickly destroy the chlorine in
your pool. Stabilizer acts as a "sun shield" to extend the life of chlorine up
to 3 1/2 times. Your dealer will tell you how much pool stabilizer to add to
your newly opened pool. You should start by raising it to a minimum level of 30 ppm.
Afterwards, simply use stabilized chlorine to maintain sufficient stabilizer levels.
Why Balanced Water Is
Important
Balanced water is held safely between two harmful extremes. If water falls out of balance
on the low side, it becomes corrosive, attacking pool surfaces and equipment. If it should
rise out of balance on the high side, there will be a tendency to form scale buildup,
leaving unsightly deposits. Out of balance water can also cause skin and eye irritation,
staining, cloudy water and it will interfere with the efficiency of sanitizers.
Water Balance Factors
pH
pH is the most important factor in water balance. When the pool’s pH is out of range,
the water balance problems previously mentioned, can begin immediately. The pH range is
used to measure the relative acid or base of the water. The range is between 0 to 14, with
a pH of 7 being neutral. Readings between 7.2 and 7.6 are considered acceptable for
swimming pool water.
| Corrosion
Zone Comfort Zone Scaling Zone |
| 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 |
7.2 -
7.6 |
8 9 10 11 12 13 14 |
| Add pH Plus |
Ideal |
Add pH Minus |
Total
Alkalinity
Total Alkalinity (range 80-150 ppm) is a measure of the alkaline materials dissolved in
the water. The amount of this alkaline material in the water determines its ability to
resist fluctuations in the pH. If the Total Alkalinity is low, the result is "pH
bounce," meaning that the pH will tend to "bounce" in and out of range. If
Total Alkalinity is too high, it becomes very difficult to make the needed pH adjustments.
Calcium Hardness
Calcium Hardness (range 175-400 ppm) refers to the amount of
dissolved minerals (mostly calcium carbonate) in water. A low Calcium Hardness can lead to
corrosion of equipment or the etching of a plaster finish. A Calcium Hardness level that
is too high, causes cloudy water and scaling.
Step 2 – Test The
Water
Your pool dealer will analyze water samples that
you bring to the store, but it is up to you to perform certain tests regularly at
poolside. The following apply to all possible water tests. Water Testing Tips Follow your test kit’s instructions!
Use fresh reagents! The shelf life for liquid
reagents is only one year. Dry tablets last up to three years.
Rinse out the test cell with pool water before
using.
Retrieve the water sample at elbow depth from the
deep end of the pool.
Fill the cell up to the line.
Fully invert the reagent bottle and squeeze slowly.
Use the plastic caps when mixing-not your thumb.
Check the results while holding the sample against
a white background.
What factors should I
test at home?
The most important poolside water tests are "free chlorine" and pH. Depending on
local conditions, your dealer may also advise poolside testing for total alkalinity.
Testing For Free Chlorine
Not all the test kits are the same! To get accurate readings of your pool’s chlorine
effectiveness, use a test kit that can test specifically for "Free
Chlorine"...not just "Total Chlorine". "Free Chlorine" is the
unused, effective chlorine that you want in your pool.
Q: How often should I test for "free
chlorine"?
A: Daily is recommended, but at least 2-3 times per week.
Q: How much "free chlorine" is needed?
A: 1.5 to 3.0 ppm is recommended.
Testing for pH
A number of influences can bring about rapid shifts in your pool’s pH. These include
rain, swimmer wastes, algae growth, chemical additions, low Total Alkalinity, and the
makeup water. To prevent pH changes from damaging your pool investment, use your test
kit’s "phenol red" reagent to keep a close watch on your pool’s pH.
Q: How often should I test my pool’s pH?
A: Daily is recommended, but at least 2-3 times per week.
Q: What is the recommended range for pH?
A: For maximum swimmer comfort and chlorine effectiveness, 7.2 to 7.6 is recommended.
Testing for Total Alkalinity
Total Alkalinity and pH are water balance factors
that are very closely related to each other. It can be difficult to keep the pool’s
pH in the proper range, without also watching the Total Alkalinity. Some home test kits
include a simple poolside test for the Total Alkalinity. Consult your Regal dealer.
Q: How often should Total Alkalinity be tested?
A: About twice monthly.
Q: What is the recommended range for Total
Alkalinity?
A: With stabilized chlorine use 100 to 150 ppm
With unstabilized chlorine use 80 to 120 ppm. |
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