Swimming pools are one of the most popular options for cool off and enjoy the good weather during the summer months. However, maintaining a clean and safe pool requires constant work and proper maintenance. In particular, the water in the swimming pool must be in optimal conditions for its use, which implies that it must be transparent and suitable for swimming.
There water transparency This is not only important for aesthetic reasons, but also for health reasons. If the water is not clean and clear, it can contain bacteria, algae and other microorganisms which can cause infections and illnesses.
He proper pool maintenance It includes various tasks, such as regularly cleaning the filter and removing leaves and other debris from the water. It’s also important to maintain proper chlorine and pH levels, as this helps keep the water clean and prevents the growth of algae and bacteria. Pool owners should also be on the lookout for any changes in the appearance or smell of the water, as this can be a sign of more serious issues that need immediate attention.
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Meaning of pool water parameters
He chemical water control requires analyzing a series of parameters to verify that everything is in order. Of all, the pH level and chlorine These are the most important since they depend on the generation of microalgae and algae that contaminate the water. On the contrary, an excess can lead to health problems for people who bathe in the pool.
Currently, you can find a comprehensive catalog of pool chemicals that will keep all of these levels at optimum levels, ensuring perfect bathing quality for the whole family.
- pH: the gradient of acidity and alkalinity determines the quality of the bath and the control of algae formation. For this reason, acidity correctors (they raise the pH and make it alkaline) or pH reducers (they make the water acidic) can be used.
- Free chlorine or total: It is the main disinfectant used in swimming pools, as it has a great oxidizing power against micro-organisms and aquatic organisms (mainly algae).
- isocyanuric acidChlorine is a very sensitive element that evaporates and degrades easily with the sun’s rays. Therefore, this component acts as a chlorine stabilizer to prevent its degradation and having to feed it continuously.
- Redox potential:
- Alkalinity: The presence of carbonates, bicarbonates and hydroxides raises the pH of water, which is why acidic products, such as hydrochloric acid, are often used to maintain the pH in an optimal range for the bathroom.
- Water hardness : amount of calcium and magnesium salts dissolved in the water. The harder the water, the cloudier it is.
- Turbidity: It is the degree of transparency of the pool water and is determined by the presence of solids in the water, such as calcium, carbonates, hydroxides, etc.
- Temperature: a parameter that in most cases, except for heated pools, we will not be able to control, but it is an important factor because the higher the temperature, the higher the risk of algae formation.
- Salt level: There are some pools that, instead of using only chlorine, use salt (sodium chloride), so it is important to determine the average values of this parameter for proper control of pool organisms.
Average values to maintain
These are the average values recommended for any type of swimming pool, regardless of size. Generally, not all of them are controlled at the user level, because by keeping some of them at adequate levels, such as pH, chlorine or bromine, the rest of the values are stabilized. However, everything will depend on the quality of the water with which it is filled.
| pH | 7.2 – 7.6 |
| residual free chlorine | 0.6 – 1.5ppm |
| residual free bromine | 2 – 5ppm |
| Combined Chlorine/Brome | ≤0.2ppm |
| total chlorine | ≤1.5ppm |
| total bromine | ≤4ppm |
| isocyanuric acid | ≤75ppm |
| calcium hardness | 250 – 500ppm |
| Alkalinity | 80 – 120ppm |
| Redox potential | ≤600mV |
| turbidity | ≤5 |
| Temperature | Between 24 and 30 ºC |
| Salt | 3000 – 6000mg/l |
| Carbon dioxide | ≤500mg/m3 |
Managing dirt in the pool
If we have the pool in an environment surrounded by plants or rural roads, it is very common for insects, leaves of all kinds, dust and any organic matter to fall daily. According to their density they will be able to float and they will be easy to remove with a leaf cleanerbut other compounds, the heaviest, will be deposited in the fundmuch more difficult to remove.
There dirt in the background of the swimming pool conditions the turbidity of the water and it can be very uncomfortable to walk on and set foot in it. For this reason there is the famous electric pool cleaner, or as they are also called, swimming pool robot cleaners. This type of device sucks up and removes dirt from the bottom of the pool thanks to its rotating brushes. This cleaning task is generally recommended do every 15 daysalthough it depends on the conditions of the pool environment.
Although you can also find cheaper manual pool brushes, they will require more effort and time to use, so the former usually pay for themselves in a short time if you want to enjoy the bathroom without wasting extra time. .
In short, keeping pool water clear and suitable for swimming is essential to ensure the safety and health of users. Although pool maintenance can take constant effort, the benefits of having a clean and safe swimming pool are invaluable for those who enjoy swimming and other water sports during the summer months.