Keep your pool water in perfect condition with pool chemicals

With the countless hours you and your family can spend in your pool, it’s easy to overlook the fact that, like other equipment and other parts of your home, your pool needs regular cleaning and maintenance. Cleaning and maintaining your pool ensures that the water remains in pristine condition and that algae and bacteria don’t have a chance to thrive and tarnish your pool fun.

Pool chemicals are a must, no matter the size of your pool. While it is just as important to brush the pool walls and skim the surface of the water to remove dead leaves and debris, chemicals like chlorine and algaecides prevent the growth of bacteria and algae that compromise water quality and they can harm your family, especially the young ones.

Pool pumps can often handle leaves and debris floating in pool water. However, there is debris that is too small for the pump or skimmer to pick up effectively. Clarifiers, also known as floc tablets, collect small debris and coagulate it into larger particles that can be handled by your pool’s pump and filter.

To get the most out of using pool chemicals, it’s also critical to check your pool’s pH and chlorine levels with test kits. Ideally, the pH level of your pool water should be between 7.6 and 7.8. If the water is too acidic, it can damage your pool equipment. At the other extreme, water that is too basic can result in the need for more chlorine. Calcium levels must also be kept in check, as too much calcium in the water can lead to equipment corrosion and cloudy water.

In addition to physically cleaning your pool water and adding chemicals, pool covers are worth investing in. There are two types of covers on the market: the solar cover and the winter debris cover. Essentially, a solar cover ensures that the pool water stays warm, while a winter pool cover is used to prevent debris and dead leaves from falling into the pool, especially during the fall. Additionally, you can purchase safety covers to prevent children and pets from falling into the water should they enter the pool without adult supervision. While this is not a substitute for keeping an eye on the youngsters, it does serve as a useful failsafe.