Swimming pool owners quickly discover that in order to provide a sparkling clean swimming environment a basic understanding of Swimming Pool Chemicals in Kansas City, is needed. Only then can one truly sit back, relax, and spend more time swimming and floating than confused over basic pool water chemistry.
This article will touch on two elements of swimming pool chemistry: balance and sanitation. To achieve pool water harmony the chemicals must be balanced. This balancing act requires keeping the water’s pH, alkalinity, and calcium within certain parameters.
* pH -; This is an expression of alkalinity and acidity on a scale from 0 to 14 where 7 is considered neutral. The ideal value for swimming pool water is a range of 7.4 to 7.6 as values outside this range result in eye and skin irritation.
* Alkalinity -; This helps prevent the pH levels from significantly increasing or decreasing by absorbing changes in the water. Total Alkalinity levels between 80-120 ppm help to stabilize pH levels and if too low can cause equipment corrosion, staining, and mucous membrane irritation. Levels that are too high can result in cloudy water, hard to control pH levels, and chlorine may lose its disinfectant quality.
* Calcium Hardness -; While not critical to the pool’s water balance, a lack of adequate calcium will affect your pool’s plaster and equipment. Too much calcium also negatively affects pool water by causing scale buildup. Calcium levels should be in the range of 200 to 275 ppm.
Swimming Pool Chemicals in Kansas City are vital to a pool’s sanitation as well. Chlorine is the most widely used chemical for sanitizing and is very effective at controlling bacteria and algae, as well as being cost friendly. It is available in a tablet form, granular, or powder for freshwater pools. Tablets are easily added by placing in the pool s skimmer basket or a floating dispenser. Saltwater pools create their own chlorine with chlorine generators.
Guidance is available from swimming pool specialists like Banks Blue Valley Pool & Spa Designs. There are also many types of home testing kits and test strips available, making maintaining healthy pool water a breeze. Combination packages are also sold which contain everything needed to ensure the smooth opening and closing of pools for owners of all skill levels.