It’s obvious to anyone that you have to remove dirt, leaves, hair and other debris from your swimming pool water, but did you know that it’s just as important to maintain the proper water chemistry of your swimming pool? That’s why there is a wide array of swimming pool chemicals that you need to know about to keep your pool water safe and clean for swimmers. You won’t have to hire a swimming pool professional to maintain your pool as long as you have a basic understanding of swimming pool chemistry.
There are many swimming pool chemicals used to treat pool water, including sanitizers, algaecides, shocks, balancers and stabilizers. They have to be used in the proper way. An imbalance in the chemicals can harm swimmers as well your filtering, pumping and heating system. It’s not enough for your pool to look crystal clear. The pH level must also be maintained between 7.4 and 7.6. Lower or higher pH levels can lead to eye and skin irritation as well as corrosion to the filter system.
Sanitizers
Chlorine is the most popular swimming pool chemical used to kill pathogens in the water. It can be purchased in the form of tablets, liquid or powder. Chlorine is added to the water as calcium hypochlorite (a solid) or sodium hypochlorite (a liquid). The compound reacts with water to form a variety of chemicals, including hypochlorous acid. Hypochlorous acid sanitizes the pool by killing bacteria and other pathogens.
Chlorine can be added directly to the water using a chemical feeder. Chlorine tablets can also be placed in skimmer boxes to provide a steady supply of chlorine.
Bromine is another type of swimming pool chemical used as a sanitizer. It is similar to chlorine but has a less penetrating smell.
Algaecides
Algae make your pool water look cloudy, green or brown. Algaecides destroy and prevent algae from growing. This swimming pool chemical can be purchased in tablet or liquid form.
Shocks
Shocks are high doses of swimming pool chemicals. They are normally used after your pool has been active for a significant amount of time. Shocks are also used periodically throughout the swimming season to disinfect the pool, kill algae, clear out organic matter and get rid of chloramines which irritate the skin and eyes.
Balancers
Balancers are swimming pool chemicals that increase or reduce the pH level to maintain the proper acidity and alkalinity of the pool. Soda ash, sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate are used to raise the pH level. Muriatic acid or sodium bisulfate lower the pH level and make the water more acidic.
Stabilizers
Stabilizers are important in swimming pools that use a chlorine-based sanitization system. These swimming pool chemicals enhance the effectiveness of chlorine.
Many companies now offer swimming pool chemical kits that include all products you will need to keep your pool clean. Special kits can also be purchased for the treatments you will need at the start and end of the pool season. Your choice of pool treatment will depend largely on personal preference and your budget.