Pool chemistry for beginners

Just because your pool water appears clean, doesn’t always mean that it’s healthy and safe for swimming. It could actually contain contaminants invisible to the naked eye, and if your pool chemistry is out of whack, harmful bacteria can risk the health of you or your family members. Making sure things are balanced is vital, and you don’t need to be a chemist to do it. We’re lending our expertise to any pool chemistry beginners, so you can understand exactly how to take charge of your DIY pool maintenance. It’s important to note that pool chemistry is just one part of the bigger picture when it comes to your pool health. In fact, sanitisation, pool chemistry and filtration are all linked, each element working together and relying on one another to keep your pool clean and safe. The role of sanitisation Before we get into the nitty gritty of balancing your pool chemicals, let’s talk about why your pool water needs to be balanced. When your water attributes (pH, alkalinity, and calcium hardness) are out of alignment, no matter how many sanitisation products you add to your pool water, they simply won’t be effective. Think about all the things that make their way into your pool – the wind blows in twigs and dirt, birds might stop for a dip (or a toilet stop), and after a swim people leave behind body oils, dead skin, sweat, and whatever else our bodies produce. Sanitiser is the best way to stop these contaminants turning your beautiful pool into a swamp, keeping away bacteria and algae that can make your pool water unhealthy. There are a few different options you can use for your pool sanitiser, depending on the type of pool you have and your own personal preferences. Chlorine The most common type of sanitiser is, of course, pool chlorine, which is an effective and inexpensive way to sanitise your pool. It comes in three forms: liquid, granular, or tablets, and cleans your pool by entering contaminant molecules and destroying them from the inside out. The ideal chlorine level sits at 3-5 parts per million (ppm). Bromine If you want an alternative to chlorine, and are keen to avoid the strong chlorine smell, bromine is the way to go. It ionizes pollutants, breaking down chemical bonds. It’s not as effective as chlorine, but it remains active for longer. Keep it at 3-5ppm. Pool salt If you have a salt water pool, all you need is pool salt. The salt goes through a chlorinator which uses it to produce chlorine. So, for your salt water pools, instead of using a chlorine product, the sanitiser is actually continuously produced by the chlorinator. Learn more about salt water pools, what kind of salt to add and how to maintain them here. Minerals Pools with a mineral system, as the name suggests, contain extra minerals, commonly including magnesium chloride, sodium chloride, and potassium chloride. These work together to not only help keep your pool clean, but also provide a range of health and skin benefits. It is worthwhile to use a little bit of chlorine to help the mineral system along. 0.5ppm is plenty. How to balance pool chemistry Now that we’ve covered the importance of pool sanitising, let’s walk through how to make it work effectively. If you want your pool to look beautiful AND be safe for swimming, balanced water that allows for your sanitising products to work their magic is important. This happens when your PH levels, alkalinity, and calcium hardness are all sitting where they should be. To make this happen, it helps know a little bit about the role that these pool chemicals play in your pursuit of a healthy pool. Here’s what you need to know. PH levels PH levels refer to the acidity of your pool water. A lower pH reading means that your pool is acidic, which can cause etchings on the sides of your pool and even erode your metal fixtures. A high pH reading is basic (more hydroxide ions than hydrogen ions), and can cause scaling on your pool surface and plumbing. Anything that enters your pool (rain, dirt, people) can have an effect on the levels, so you have to be on top things to ensure they stay in the ideal range. The recommended pH is surprisingly the same as the human eye, which is pH 7.4, so, we would recommend keeping your pool levels between pH 7.2 and pH 7.6. We advise on using focus pH increase and focus pHIX tablets to achieve this. Alkalinity Alkalinity works as a buffer to help regulate the factors that can throw your pH levels off balance. Because of this, you should always play around with alkalinity levels first, and then adjust your PH. The recommended levels are between 80 and 120 parts per million, and depending on if your alkalinity is low or high, you should be using focus pH buffer or pool acid. Calcium hardness We all know calcium’s important for our body, but what about calcium hardness in our pool? Calcium in our pools works to keep your pool water clean and keeps the surface of your pool in good shape. The starting calcium hardness levels can depend on where you get your water from, for example water from a spigot will have less minerals (and calcium) than well water. Low calcium hardness can make your pool water feel slimy, and can even corrode the surface of your pool. The recommended levels of calcium hardness are between 150 and 400 PPM, and if you’d like to raise your calcium hardness levels, give focus cal plus a try. Pool chemistry testing The key to identifying your pool chemistry levels is in pool water testing. This will let you know the best pool chemicals to use. While you can conduct your own water tests at home, if you have any concerns about the health of your pool water, or feel that your chemicals may be out of balance, it’s best to get your water professionally tested – especially if it’s cloudy or green. You can get your pool water tested for free at your local Poolwerx. Following the test, our experts can advise you on the best products to help you get your pool chemistry perfectly balanced. Remember – pool filtration is important To keep your pool chemicals effective, including whatever you’re using to get things balanced, you need proper water circulation. A proper filtration system will keep things moving, spreading chemicals and your sanitisation products to every corner of your pool. Plus, it will filter our debris and bacteria, and stop algae from forming, which helps to keep your water attributes at the right levels. Talk to Poolwerx We’re always happy to help, so if you’re seeking advice about your pool health or your pool chemistry, don’t hesitate to give us a call.

5 Pool filtration myths – busted!

Do you know how your pool filters? Its performance is integral to a healthy pool, but there’s a lot of misinformation floating around out there. You need to be sure you’re using the right filtration solution for your pool, and are following the right methods to keep your pool filter functioning the way it should. We’ve uncovered 5 myths associated with pool filtration – so you’ll know for sure how to maintain a healthy pool.

What is the best pool equipment to have this summer?

Summer is right around the corner, and as the weather heats up your pool is sure to get a whole lot of use, so getting things prepped and maintained is more important than ever. You should be able to enjoy your swim-season without the headache of worrying about your pool health or if things are swim-ready. Pool equipment ideas for a summer-prepped pool The key to healthy pool is having the right equipment; but it can be confusing to know what you need, especially coming out of the cooler months. Below is the must-have equipment you should get your hands on before summer hits your pool. Pool cover Did you know evaporation is the main cause of water loss in your pool? The hotter the weather, the faster the rate of water loss – and this could be a costly expense after a long, hot summer. Not only are you incurring more water costs, but you’ll be spending more money on chemicals to get your water balanced. This extra cost can also be thanks to the leaves, rain, debris and dirt that get into your pool water and contaminant it. With a pool cover, excess heat is blocked from the water and moisture gets trapped so it can’t evaporate into the air. This keeps things cleaner for longer, cutting costs on chemicals as well as energy, water, and the time spent on maintenance. If you’re someone who’s pressed for time and you’re worried about taking the pool cover on and off each day, a pool roller is a good accessory to consider. Robotic pool cleaner Part of keeping your pool healthy involves cleaning your pool walls and floor, which can seem like a big job – especially when you want to be enjoying your pool rather than cleaning it!  But if your pool isn’t cleaned regularly your water health will suffer and result in maintenance costs that you’ll have to wear. That’s why a robotic pool cleaner is a great tool that will make your life so much easier. With smart technology that maps out your pool every time it’s turned on, it will clean, scrub and vacuum your pool walls and floor in half the time it would take a suction cleaner. This will keep your pool a whole lot healthier, making it much safer for swimmers, and saving you on pool chemicals. It’s also energy efficient, running on an independent, low energy motor, with zero reliance on other equipment to work, helping you save on power. It’s a great investment. Wondering which pool cleaner is best? Poolwerx’s Aquawize robotic pool cleaners provide the ultimate pool cleaning experience, with caddy included as standard, 18m cable, and a two-year warranty. Plus, they’re easy to set up. All you need to do it plug it in, place it in the pool, and press ‘GO.’ Scoop and brush If you don’t have a pool cover or robotic cleaner, a scoop and brush will go a long way in helping to keep your pool cleaner (and healthier) for longer this summer. Sticks and leaves carry bacteria, and when they’re left too long in your pool they can cause algae to grow, which in turn can turn your pool cloudy or green. A pool scoop offers an easy way to skim this debris from the surface and stop it from throwing off your pool water balance. Algae can also grow when your pool walls and floor are left uncleaned, and scum begins to build up. Giving them a good scrub with a quality brush can stop this from happening, and maintain your pool health. Water sample bottle It’s important to test your water all year round, increasing the frequency as your bather load increases – i.e. summer! . Once you’re in the thick of warmer weather, you should be testing your water at least once a fortnight. This is because with more swimmers means there will be more hair, dead skin and germs in your pool water. It’s a good idea to have a water sample bottle handy. You can stay on top of your water testing, which in turn will keep you on top of your pool maintenance. And don’t forget to place your bottle approx. 30 cms from the top of the pool to gather the water and try to get your water tested within 2 hours of retrieving it. After a 60-second water test from Poolwerx using our advanced technology, our experienced technicians can recommend the pool chemicals you need to keep your pool at a healthy balance. It can also identify any issues you may be having with your equipment.  This will save costs in the long run since it stops smaller issues from becoming a much bigger, more expensive problem. Pool shock When chlorines mix with nitrogen from oil, sweat, and urine it causes chloramines to form, which affect the sanitising power of your chemicals, and cause stinging, red eyes, along with respiratory irritation. You know that strong chlorine smell that so many people dislike? That’s usually from the chloramines, not the chlorine, and they form a lot more frequently in summertime A pool shock treatment will oxidise the chloramines in your pool water, cleaning the water and destroying any bacteria. It will provide maximum sanitiser efficiency, keeping your water sparkling and safe. Lighting Having a swim-ready pool is more than just prepping for maintenance. With lighting in your pool, you can enjoy your summer nights poolside, and extend your swimming time into the evenings. Just picture yourself lying back with a drink, or watching the kids and their friends do tricks by the iridescent glow of your pool lights. No matter if you’ve got a concrete, fibreglass or vinyl pool, Poolwerx can find a lighting solution to bring the wow factor to your backyard. Talk to Poolwerx Now that you know all the must-haves this swimming season, it’s time to get your pool ready for summer. All these products and more are available from Poolwerx. Check out our pool shop to get your hands on them, and talk to our experienced technicians for advice specific to your pool.

Important Update on Coronavirus & Poolwerx

The safety of our clients and their families is paramount. As many New Zealanders stay at home and practice social distancing, proper pool care is more important than ever. If you have to or choose to self-isolate, Poolwerx can help maintain your pool and spa while ensuring the health of your family. Our priority is the wellbeing of our clients and employees.

Coronavirus & Pools FAQ

During these uncertain times, it’s important to understand what you can do to ensure the safety and wellbeing of your family. We’ve shared below our most frequently asked questions around pool use and the Coronavirus.

Poolwerx Hamilton Win Best Home Services Franchisee

One of Poolwerx’s most decorated franchise partners has further enhanced its already glowing reputation by scooping up the award for Best Home Services Franchisee at the Westpac New Zealand Franchise Awards.