Chlorine has long been considered the star of the show for pool chemicals, and while chlorine keeps your pool clean and safe, it’s only one piece of the puzzle. Properly balancing your pool water involves much more than just adding chlorine—it’s about maintaining the correct levels of pH, alkalinity, calcium hardness, and other factors to ensure a safe, healthy, and long-lasting swimming environment. Let’s dive into why balancing pool chemicals is so important and how professional water testing can make maintaining your pool so much simpler.
Why Pool Water Chemistry Matters
Balanced pool water is the foundation of a clean, clear, and safe swimming experience. When your pool’s chemistry is off, it can lead to a host of problems, including infamous issues with skin and eye irritation. Unbalanced water can cause discomfort for swimmers, especially if the pH is too high or too low.
But it’s not just discomfort you need to worry about. Without proper chemical balance, your pool can quickly become a breeding ground for harmful microorganisms, letting algae and bacteria run rampant.
Finally, if your water is corrosive or scaling, your pool itself is under attack. Everything from the plaster to the tiles to pumps and heaters will start to deteriorate.
Maintaining balanced water protects your investment and ensures a safe swimming environment for everyone, even those with sensitive skin.
The Key Components of Pool Water Chemistry
We said it was about more than chlorine, so we will break it down for you. Monitor and balance these chemicals to ensure everything is as it should be.
1. Chlorine, the Sanitizer
Chlorine is the backbone of pool sanitation, killing bacteria and preventing algae growth. However, its effectiveness depends on other factors like pH and alkalinity. Without proper balance, chlorine can’t do its job effectively.
N.B. If you are worried about the effects of chlorine on sensitive skin, we offer saltwater pools. These pools are more environmentally friendly and much gentler on swimmers’ skin. You can find out more about those here.
2. pH, the Foundation of Balance
Even in chemistry class at a young age, we all learnt how important pH is. Just a little too far in either direction, and you have a wholly different substance on your hands. The ideal range is 7.2–7.8, close to a neutral pH.
- Low pH: If your pH drops, it causes corrosion of pool surfaces and equipment, as well as skin and eye irritation.
- High pH: If your pH climbs, you will eventually get cloudy water and a reduction in your chlorine or saltwater’s effectiveness.
3. Alkalinity, the Buffer
Alkalinity acts as a stabilizer for pH, preventing sudden changes. The ideal range is 80–120 ppm.
- Low alkalinity: If your alkalinity drops, you will have pH fluctuations and more acidic water.
- High alkalinity: If your alkalinity rises, it’s cloudy water again, plus scaling.
4. Calcium Hardness, the Surface Protector
Calcium hardness prevents water from becoming too soft or too hard. The ideal range is 200–400 ppm.
- Low calcium: If your calcium is low, you risk corrosion of plaster and metal surfaces.
- High calcium: If too high, it’s scaling again on your pool surfaces and equipment.
5. Cyanuric Acid, the Chlorine Protector
Cyanuric acid stabilizes chlorine levels by protecting it from UV rays (Yes, even in cooler months!). The ideal range is 30–50 ppm.
- Low cyanuric acid: If your cyanuric acid is too low, your chlorine will dissipate too quickly.
- High cyanuric acid: If it climbs too high, your chlorine will become less effective.
The Benefits of (Free!) Professional Water Testing
If you’re looking at this list and feeling overwhelmed, we’re not surprised, especially if you’re new to pool ownership. Pool balancing can be a tricky business for the average pool owner, and that’s precisely why we offer free water testing in our showroom.
Just grab a sample of your pool (or spa) water and visit us at 194 Killam Drive, Moncton, NB, to have your water professionally tested.
The benefits? Our testing system is extremely precise, quicker than testing it yourself through trial and error, and we’ll be able to alert you to imbalances much sooner than home testing. A slight adjustment now can save you time and money down the line. Finally, you’ll be able to ask us for expert advice! Our team understands the delicate interplay between different chemical levels and can help you make tailored adjustments.
Protect Your Investment with Balanced Water
Properly balanced water protects swimmers and your pool. By maintaining the right chemical levels, you can extend the lifespan of your equipment, reduce your long-term costs, and keep your swimmers safe this and every summer. Take the guesswork out of pool care so you can focus on what matters most - enjoying your pool!
Bring your water samples to 194 Killam Drive, Moncton.
Waterworks Pools & Spas.
Complete bespoke solutions for backyards across Atlantic Canada.