Basic Pool Water Chemistry | Texoma Country Pools & Spas

Basic Pool Water Chemistry

Understanding basic pool water chemistry will help you keep your swimming pool safe for swimmers, reduces the amount of chlorine used, is the least corrosive to the equipment and pool shell, and is the cheapest way to own a pool.
basic pool water chemistry texoma country pools spas sherman tx

Basic Pool Water Chemistry

Understanding basic pool water chemistry will help you keep your swimming pool safe for swimmers, reduces the amount of chlorine used, is the least corrosive to the equipment and pool shell, and is the cheapest way to own a pool.

Unbalanced water is expensive to balance, especially if algae have gotten out of control. If algae can grow easily, so can harmful bacteria.

The water in the Texoma area is naturally high in pH, for that reason we recommend the water be checked at least twice a week when the water is above 50° until the homeowner becomes more comfortable with the personality of the pool.

Algae does not grow when water is below 50°, while chlorine levels are not necessary to maintain in winter, keeping the rest balanced will preserve the equipment and pool shell.

Various test kits are available to help maintain basic pool water chemistry as well as testing stations in our pool store.

For beginners, we recommend bringing water to our test station and getting dosing recommendations from our trained staff until enough test reports have built up to help with dosing on your own, once you begin testing the water yourself.

Free Chlorine
Range0 – 12 – 45 – 10
EffectsAlgae & bacteria grow
Water unsafe
Eliminates bacteria
&
algae
Dry skin
Faded suits
Red eyes
What to Add
to Adjust
Chlorine – tabs or shock Fresh water or time

Chlorine levels should be maintained when the water temperature gets above 50°. Depending on the weather, that can start as early as the end of February until the end of October.

If your swimming pool uses a different kind of sanitizer, check the owner’s manual for ideal levels and what is needed to adjust them.

pH
Range6.0 – 7.27.4 – 7.67.8 – 8.5
EffectsScale attaches to surfaces
Metals corrode
Plaster etches
Walls stain
Chlorine depletes rapidly
Chlorine most effective
Water is least corrosive
Mineral to stay in solution
Chlorine ineffective
Minerals solidify
Water cloudy
What to Add
to Adjust
Soda Ash or Sodium BiCarbonate Muriatic Acid

Swimming Pools with salt systems will have to add extra acid to balance the pH. The chlorine compound that these systems add to the water has a pH of 11. As it chlorinates it is also raising the pH of the water.

Alkalinity and pH work with each other, with the same chemicals being used to adjust each of them.

When needed, acid should be added in small doses so that the alkalinity is not affected dramatically. However, if both the pH and the alkalinity are high, a larger amount of acid can be added at one time.

Alkalinity
Range60 – 7080 – 120130 – 180
EffectspH varies wildlyKeeps pH stablepH hard to adjust
What to Add
to Adjust
Soda Ash or
Sodium BiCarbonate
 Muriatic Acid

Alkalinity and pH can be affected by rainfall. After a rainstorm, it is a good idea to test the water to see if it needs to be rebalanced.

Stabilizer
Range10 – 2030 – 50 (Chlorine Tab Pools)
60 – 80 (Salt Pools)
90 – 150
EffectsChlorine dissipates
rapidly
Allows water to hold chlorine so
that it can be used
Chlorine is blocked,
water cloudy
What to Add
to Adjust
Cyarunic Acid Add fresh water

Chlorine is used by algae, debris, bacteria, and the sun. The stabilizer keeps the sun from using chlorine. Indoor swimming pools do not need as much.

The stabilizer does not deplete like chlorine, it may only need to be added one to two times a year.

Effects

Total Hardness
Range150200 – 4001000
Water pulls calcium from
plaster
Water is the least
corrosive
Scale attached to pool and
equipment surfaces
Water cloudy
Irritates eyes
What to Add
to Adjust
Calcium Chloride Fresh Water

Total Hardiness measures calcium, sodium, and magnesium.

Water that is not in the ideal range seeks to fill voids with the easiest sources, like the calcium in plaster walls or metals from screws and ladders.

Understanding and learning these basic pool water chemistry facts will help you maintain and have a perfectly clear swimming pool year after year.

Share:

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn

More Posts

Should I Convert Pool to Saltwater Texoma Country Pools and Spas

Should I Convert My Pool to Salt Water?

Saltwater pools have drawn a lot of attention in the last 10 years. All of the buzz may have you wondering, “should I convert my pool to salt water?” Or, “should I build a saltwater pool?”

Salt Water Hot Tubs Texoma Country Pools and Spas

Salt Water Hot Tubs

Are Salt Water Hot Tubs Better? The answer depends on your priorities and preferences. Some people prefer the silky feeling of saltwater and don’t mind the higher initial cost.

New Years Resolutions For Swimming Pool Owners Texoma Country Pools and Spas

New Year’s Resolutions For Swimming Pool Owners

Some pool owners neglect their pools or do the bare minimum when it comes to upkeep and maintenance. To avoid falling into this trap, start making New Year’s resolutions to start the new year off right by keeping your pool safe and up to date.

Send Us A Message

Contact Texoma
herald democrat texoma pools best of 2008 award
herald democrat texoma pools best of 2009 award
herald democrat texoma pools best of 2010 award
herald democrat texoma pools best of 2011 award
herald democrat texoma pools best of 2012 award
herald democrat texoma pools best of 2013 award
herald democrat texoma pools best of 2014 award
herald democrat texoma pools best of 2015 award
herald democrat texoma pools best of 2016 award
herald democrat best of texoma swimming pool texoma 2017
herald democrat best of texoma swimming pool texoma 2018
herald democrat best of texoma swimming pool texoma 2019

contact information

Texoma Country Pools and Spas
3811 Texoma Pkwy,
Sherman, TX 75090
(903) 891-3483

Email:
fun@texomapoolsandspas.com

Review Us

Read Pool and Spa Industry News

Monday9AM – 6PM
Tuesday9AM – 6PM
Wednesday9AM – 6PM
Thursday9AM – 6PM
Friday9AM – 6PM
Saturday8:30AM – 4PM
SundayClosed
Scroll to Top