Swimming Pool Water Quality FAQ

We thought we’d note down a few more FAQs which we get regularly.  Hope they help and please let us know if you have any more questions.

My eyes are sore when go into my pool - what's wrong with my pool?
 
The problem probably lies with your pool water’s pH level. If the water is too acidic it can cause eye irritation, etching on pool surfaces, skin irritation and cloud the water.

The recommendation for pH is between 7.2 and 7.6. It is important to check pool chemicals each day when the pool is in constant use, because any sort of foreign substance can change the water’s chemical composition.

Chlorine can be an irritant because of the heavy smell, but it can also make the skin itchy and may irritate the eyes.

If your eyes “burn” when you get out of the pool, rinse them immediately with cool clean water and avoid swimming in your pool until you can correct the pH level or lower the chlorine concentration.
 
My swimming pool is very cloudy - how do I fix that?
 
No one wants to swim in a cloudy pool, but there are times when the water can become cloudy and it makes for a less inviting environment. The main thing is to determine the reason for the cloudiness and then to correct the water condition with the appropriate solution. The two main reasons for cloudy pool water are mechanical problems or chemical imbalances.
 
The first thing you need to check is that the filter you have installed in your pool is the correct size.

The pump should be the correct size for the filter because if the pump is too small it will not filter the water properly.

Make sure that the filter is clean and that water is able to flow through it. If the filter is etched or too soiled, you may need to replace it with a new one to ensure optimal filtration results. Your filtration system should be running anywhere from 8 to 12 hours daily in summer and you need to brush or vacuum the pool regularly to keep any build-up of residue and dirt at bay.
 
Once you have considered mechanical issues, you can examine the chemicals in the pool and check the water quality.

Pool water clarifier is used to gather smaller particles together so that they can be captured in the filtration system. Clarifiers are not the entire answer to clearing up your pool water because they can cause short cycling and clog your filter.

One of the main causes of cloudy pool water is improper chlorination. If you do not have adequate chlorination, algae can start to develop and cloud your water and once it reaches a certain stage, it will bloom causing your water to change to a green colour.
 
High calcium hardness (CH) is when the CH of your pool water is over 300 ppm and your water’s temperature is high which can also cause cloudiness.
 
If your pH is too high (more than 7.8), the chlorine won’t react as quickly and may not kill the algae which can cause your water to become cloudy.
 
When your total alkalinity is too high (more than 200 ppm), the result may be cloudy water. High alkalinity can also make chlorine much less effective. Total alkalinity is a measurement of the ability of the water to buffer, to resist change, and to neutralize acid content in your pool water. Total alkalinity needs to be adjusted in order to stabilize the pH contained in the water.
 
What level should I maintain my chlorine?
 
Chlorine needs to be added continuously to your pool water so that it is combined with any organic contaminants contained in your pool, killing off bacteria and then rendering the chlorine inactive.

Chlorine should not be dumped into the pool in large quantities on a regular basis because it can damage pipes and other expensive pool equipment.

Automatic chlorine feeders and floating puck holders are the best choice for safe and gradual pool chlorination.
 
What's this I hear about shock dosing a pool? What is that?

Shock dosing is another term for super chlorination. It is a way for you to make your pool water safe while cleaning it via increasing the amount of chlorine three to five times the normal amount for a very short time.

This important step should be done along with regular pool maintenance.
 
Shock dosing should be done after sundown to ensure that the sun’s UV rays do not affect the pool chemicals.

The chemicals that you will add to the pool should be dissolved in a separate bucket of pool water that you have removed from the pool. Be sure to fill the bucket with water first, and then add the chemicals to the water.

Add the chemicals to the bucket and stir them until they are fully dissolved before adding them to the pool water.

The filtration system should be running and the bucket of dissolved chemicals should be poured in front of the return line fitting. Pour slowly so that the bucket contents are distributed throughout the pool and do not settle on the floor of the pool.

Always add chemicals to water, not water to chemicals and wear safety goggles to prevent splashing chemicals into your eyes.
 
How long should I wait after shocking a pool before I go in?
 
Take a reading of the pool water before you go for a swim. It IS NOT RECOMMENDED to swim in water that has too much chlorination, you should wait until you get a reading of 3 ppm or lower before re-entering your pool.

What effect does rain have on my pool?
 
Rain water may have an effect on your pool in several different ways. Firstly, rain can be acidic and when this is mixed with your pool water, it can effectively lower the pH level of your pool water. Heavy rainfall can dilute chlorine levels reducing the effectiveness of bacteria protection, and may allow algae to start to grow.
 
When chemical levels are not what they should be, pool water is out of balance and can be uncomfortable to swim in because it makes the skin itchy or causes a rash.

It can also damage the surface of the pool liner or etch equipment and corrode pipes. Checking the balance of your pool’s chemicals on a regular basis is the best way to ensure that everything is where it should be.

Please let us know if you have any questions.