Beginners Guide to Water Chemistry

Owning a pool can be a rewarding experience, but maintaining it properly requires a solid understanding of pool water chemistry. Just because your pool water looks clean doesn’t necessarily mean it’s safe. Invisible contaminants can lurk in the water, potentially turning your pool into a hazard if your chemical levels aren’t balanced.

In this guide, we’ll break down the essential steps for maintaining your pool’s water chemistry so you can enjoy a clean and safe swimming experience.

Step 1: Understand the Importance of pH Levels

The pH level of your pool water measures how acidic or basic it is. Maintaining proper pH levels is crucial because an imbalanced pH can cause damage to your pool and its equipment.

• Low pH (acidic water): Can lead to corrosion of metal fixtures and etching of the pool’s surface.

• High pH (basic water): Can result in scaling on your pool’s surfaces and plumbing, leading to long-term damage.
  Recommended pH range: Keep your pool water between pH 7.2 and 7.6, with the ideal level being around pH 7.4, which is the same pH as human tears. Products like Vitalyse pH Up and Vitalyse pH Down can help you adjust these levels.

Step 2: Regulate Alkalinity

Alkalinity acts as a buffer to stabilise your pool’s pH. When alkalinity levels are off, your pH can fluctuate, making it harder to keep your water balanced.

Recommended alkalinity range: Between 80 and 120 parts per million (ppm).
If your alkalinity is too low, you can use Alkalinity Up. If it’s too high, use Pool Acid to bring it down.

Step 3: Maintain Proper Calcium Hardness

Calcium hardness refers to the amount of dissolved calcium in your pool water, and it’s essential for keeping your pool surface in good condition.

• Low calcium hardness: Can cause the water to feel slimy and may lead to the erosion of the pool’s surface.

• High calcium hardness: Can cause scaling, which can damage your pool and its equipment.
  Recommended calcium hardness range: Between 150 and 400 ppm. To raise your calcium hardness levels, use Calcium Up.

Step 4: Ensure Proper Sanitisation

Sanitiser, such as chlorine, is the key to keeping your pool water free from harmful bacteria and algae. Chlorine comes in different forms, including liquid, granular, and tablets. If you have a saltwater pool, the salt is converted into chlorine through a chlorinator, which continuously produces chlorine, meaning you won’t need to add chlorine manually.

Additionally, mineral pools contain minerals like magnesium chloride and potassium chloride, which not only help keep your pool clean but also offer skin benefits.

Step 5: Test Your Water Regularly

Regular testing is essential to ensure your pool’s water chemistry is balanced. While you can test your water at home, if your pool water becomes cloudy, green, or difficult to manage, it’s best to have it tested professionally.

At Poolwerx, we offer free* water testing with the purchase of Poolwerx chemicals. Just bring in a sample of your pool water, and our experts will guide you on the correct chemicals needed to keep your pool in top condition.

*free water testing at participating Poolwerx location with the purchase of Poolwerx chemicals. In some instances a small charge may apply.