No matter what kind of pool you own, maintenance is essential. Part of maintenance for your pool is the chemical balance. When you have vinyl pool, the chemical balance is essential. Generally, there are specific manufacturer directions that you should follow. Today, we at Metropolitan Pools would like to discuss the chemistry of your vinyl pools.
Pool Water Chemistry
To maximizing the life and appearance of the liner, water balance maintenance is essential. Allowing chlorine to effectively kill bacteria and algae comes from proper pH levels. The effectiveness of chlorine to kill bacteria decreases if pH levels are too high. To determine the chemical levels of your pool, a to determine the chemical levels of your pool.
Pool Chemical Levels
The key to keeping a pool liner that lasts longer is regularly testing your pool water. You should test on a daily basis during swimming season. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, chlorine and pH Levels change frequently and are often affected by sunlight, dirt, debris and even swimmers’ bodies. Chemical Levels for LOOP-LOC Pool Liners are recommended below.
– Total Alkalinity (between 80 and 125 ppm)
– pH (between 7.2 and 7.6)
– Free Chlorine Residual (between 1.0 and 1.5 ppm)
– Cyanuric Acid (between 40 and 75 ppm)
– Calcium Hardness (between 175 and 250 ppm minimum)
Do not mix chemicals. Add chemicals to pool water separately and circulate throughout pool instead. If you allow the concentration of chemicals to remain high near the pool liner walls or bottom, combinations of chemicals (which separately would have no effect on your liner) can cause bleaching of the liner color or pattern.
pH Level in Pool
Other chemicals can only work with proper pH. pH levels that are too low or too high can cause serious damage to the liner, however. Levels that are too high (over 7.8) accelerate the “aging process” and thus shorten the life of the liner where the levels that are too low (below 7.0) can cause unsightly wrinkles in the liner. pH levels should be checked on a daily basis during the swimming season.
Pool Chemicals for Vinyl Inground Pool
Chlorine: In most areas of the U.S., a circulation range between 1.0-1.5 ppm of chlorine will kill off bacteria in swimming pool water. You can damage the liner as high concentrations of chlorine (above 1.5 ppm) will attack the liner and bleach it. The ability to kill off bacteria with any level below this range. You need to be careful as you add chlorine to your pool water. Ensure the chlorine dissolves fully, and it never comes into direct contact with the liner. Dissolve chlorine tablets in a bucket of water, and then pour the solution into your pool is the safest approach. Liquid chlorine can be added immediately, though it should be poured out to very specific areas of the pool. The chlorine water is immediately agitated, dispersed and circulated. Chlorine levels should be checked on a daily basis during the swimming season.
Total Alkalinity: To prevent sudden changes in the pH levels of the water chemistry, alkalinity levels determine the ability of the pool water. Alkalinity levels should be checked on a weekly basis during the swimming season.
Calcium Hardness: Avoid changes in the pH levels that could cause corrosive conditions in pool systems from the calcium hardness determines the ability of the pool water.
Free Chlorine Residual Level: In your pool, the free chlorine residual level determines the amount of chlorine.
Cyanuric Acid: Stabilize the chlorine within your pool, cyanuric acid is a conditioner that helps.
Vinyl Pool Installation, Repair, Maintenance & More in Sandusky, Lorain, Elyria, Medina, Parma, Mentor, Akron & Greater Cleveland, Ohio
When you need vinyl pool installation, replacements, or repairs, call in the professionals of Metropolitan Pools and let us assist you!