Maintaining a pool comes in two basic forms, removing the dirt and debris that accumulates in the water and adjusting the chemical balance. For the physical dirt in a pool, a filter system, automatic pool cleaners, and occasional skimming will keep the water free of debris. The chemical side of pool maintenance might seem complicated, but it can be broken down into two easy concepts, pH and pool sanitizer.

Perfect pH Balance

In a pool, pH measures how the water is either acidic or alkaline. pH is measured on a scale of 1 to 14, with 1 being pure acid and 14 being pure caustic. Either of those values would not make for a pleasant summer dip! pH is measured by using paper pH strips from a pool testing kit and comparing the color on the paper to a chart.

The ideal balance for pool pH is between 7 and 7.6. This pH range is almost identical to the pH of our eyes, and will prevent that burning sensation and reddening of the eyes that you can get from swimming in a poorly maintained pool.

A high pH (over 8), creates problems with scale and calcium buildup in a pool that will clog pool filters, damage pool equipment, and leave behind a residue. Too low of a pH (below 7) in pool water will begin to corrode the plaster and metal parts of the pool and its equipment.

To adjust the pH to get into this range, simple pool additives are needed. Some are called pH Up or Down, or Pool Up/Down, and they all act to raise or lower the pH. You should check your pool’s pH after long periods of use and exposure to weather; rainfall and swimmers will all move the value.

Pool Sanitizers

Adding chlorine or bromine as pool sanitizers is standard practice for nearly every pool owner. However, the pH has a drastic effect on their efficiency! Has your pool ever started to grow algae even though you put fresh pool sanitizers in, or if you have hardly put any in, but the pool reeks of chlorine?

A pH above 8 in your pool water will render those sanitizers useless at fighting bacteria; when it is under 7, it actually increases the effect! This will not be a pleasant experience for swimmers or even your neighbors. If the pool is not as clean and clear as it should be, check the pH first.

Assuming your pH is good, you will want to measure the units of pool sanitizers in the water. This is measured just like pH with paper test strips. Good numbers for chlorine range from 1.5 to 3, and if you are using a non-chlorine sanitizer like bromine, look for a number between 3 and 5. If you are too low, you can add more, but if your sanitizer is too strong, you will have to purge some of the water from the pool and replace it with fresh water.

In the end, pool chemistry is very simple once you get the hang of it. Remember, the pH is the key component for the whole system to work properly.