Do You Know How the Sun is Affecting Your Pool?

Regularly adding chlorine to the water is swimming pool maintenance 101, but did you know that the amount needed can change from day to day? Both heat and sunlight have a lot to do with how much chlorine your swimming pool needs.  Read More…

Chlorine is essential for keeping swimming water crystal clear. Without it, algae and bacteria have a comfortable home to grow and thrive, turning that water murky. Not only will it look dirty, it can be unhealthy to swim in. Chlorine is able to kill algae and bacteria on contact, but too much can also be dangerous for your family. The trick is in finding the right balance, which can only be accomplished when you take all factors into consideration, including the sun and heat.

There are two types of chlorine in your pool; free chlorine and combined chlorine. The free chlorine is what is available for cleaning the water, while combined chlorine has already gotten to work on breaking down bacteria and algae. A high level of combined chlorine is an indication that there is a lot of organic material inside of the water, which can only be resolved with the addition of free chlorine.

Sunlight and Free Chlorine

Not only is free chlorine lost when it reacts with organic material, it breaks down from sunlight. Ultraviolet light will cause chlorine to turn into a gas, which is then released into the atmosphere. A sunny day means that you may have to monitor the chlorine levels more carefully to avoid this loss, and add certain chemical stabilizers to prevent excessive loss.

Experts recommend the use of cyanuric acid to help stall the effect of sunlight on pool water. Cyanuric acid will react with free chlorine to create a substance that will not react to direct sunlight. You can use this chemical for your swimming pool to help maintain the chlorine levels during the summer.

High Temperature and Free Chlorine

Temperature can also affect chlorine levels in your pool, albeit indirectly. Higher temperatures create a more ambient environment for bacteria and algae to grow, causing free chlorine to have to work harder at abolishing them from your pool. A good rule of thumb to follow is to add double the amount of chlorine you generally use for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit the temperature rises about 80 degrees. This is especially important for spa owners, as these are operated at a higher temperature than a pool is. Resist the urge to use heaters or solar covers during the middle of summer, as this will cause an unnecessary rise in the water temperature.

Maintaining a swimming pool can feel like a big science experiment. It is important that you are regularly checking chlorine levels, and then making adjustments accordingly. Not only does this keep the water clean, it ensures that you are not adding too much chlorine. This is a chemical that in high doses can be harmful for humans. If you have doubts about how much chlorine your pool needs, first consult with professionals to help teach you the basics of swimming pool maintenance.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR POOL OR IN NEED OF SERVICE GIVE US A CALL AT 623-939-1346. YOU CAN ALSO COME VISIT US AT OUR RETAIL STORE AND ONE OF OUR POOL CARE PROFESSIONALS WILL BE HAPPY TO HELP!

ENJOY YOUR POOL, AND LET US HELP YOU ALWAYS KEEP IT CLEAR AND SWIM READY!

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