pool water chemistry testing

The pool is easily an amazing addition to any house and immediately becomes the main go-to location for those hot summer days. Great cold relaxing water with a clean design is something that everyone longs for on those scorching days. 

What if you were told that bad pool water chemicals could lead to water that damages your skin, ruins the walls of the pool and also begins to produce algae? Have a look at the dangers of bad pool water and why every now and then having someone check your pool chemical levels is important.

Rainwater negatively impacts the chemistry of your pool water

Rainwater is well known for its acidic properties that negatively impacts the chemistry of your pool water balance, affecting anything from the alkalinity levels to the pH balance.

Acidic rain is due to the widespread presence of industrial gases that make sulfuric and nitric acid.

Not only is rainwater directly falling into your pool a bad thing, but the additional source of water streaming from your deck or landscape can cause big problems.

When rainwater and water runoff enters your pool, your water’s pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), calcium hardness, alkalinity and other chemical balances are immediately altered.

Acidic water in your pool can become corrosive, damaging the plaster and metal parts of your pool.

But of course, the extent of issues you will experience depends entirely on how much rain you get.

A light shower should not be a cause of concern!

Keeping your pH pool water chemistry right

The Danger Of Bad Alkalinity

Alkalinity is one of the three major contributors to your pool water chemicals with its properties to keep the pH level of your pool consistent. 

Be aware that drastically changing pH levels could cause damage to anyone who enters the water. With potential problems like skin agitation and damage to the eyes through a burning sensation, keeping your alkalinity consistent is a must.

The Danger Of Bad Calcium Levels

Calcium as everyone might know is what humans consume to increase their bone strength. Although it is known for being in cow’s milk, calcium is better known as a hardener. It’s also a mineral your pool is in constant search for.

Your pool doesn’t understand that all the money you spent on the walls was for show and instead believes that it is a great source of hardener through the use of the plaster. This is how the sides of pools begin to calcify and grow scales and in turn, becomes damaged. So keeping calcium levels steady improves the structure, look and safety of your pool.

The Correct Manor Of Improving The Sanitisation

Sanitisation here refers to the pool water chemicals that are dedicated to ensuring the safety of your pool for anyone swimming inside. As most will know, chlorine is a key component to keeping a pool healthy as its properties to destroy bacteria is unmatched.

The last thing you want in your pool is nasty bacteria. Not only does it have an ugly name, but bacteria can also lead to many common illnesses and is something that should be avoided at all times.

Don’t Take Risks With Your Pool

Chlorine, calcium hardener and alkalinity are all pool water chemicals that seem like an easy fix, with each only requiring a certain product to be introduced, or so you think. For each of these products, if you were to go too far with the amount you put in, the problems that occur can be just as bad as before attempting to fix the problem. 

Examples being when you introduce chlorine to kill bacteria, with too much making the pool too acidic which pretty much makes the pool unusable. This will cause skin irritation and eye strain to anyone who enters. Not having enough however could create a risk of infection or diseases, so how do you find the perfect balance?

At Pool Assist, our employees are all well educated and experienced in understanding what levels they should expect from each of the pH components. For this reason, it’s a lot safer to go with the professionals over making a potential mess by yourself.

What We Recommend

To prevent damaging your pool, keep track of the alternations in your water chemistry levels by frequently testing your pool water during periods of heavy rain.

Draining off excess water is also recommended.

If rain is a persistent problem, pools with cartridge filters should think about installing an outlet valve after the pool pump, to pump water away and down to the proper skimmer level.

For assistance on rebalancing the chemistry of your pool water after heavy rain, call your local pool professionals at Pool Assist.

Because Pool Assist is a family-owned Perth pool company, you’ll be able to speak to Paul the owner directly.

Let us take care of your pool maintenance so that you can relax and enjoy a sparkling clean pool.

Organise a free onsite quote – where we can personally come and inspect your pool. Contact Paul directly on 0412 839 152.

Pool water chemicals