So many pool owners focus on chlorine, they forget about keeping their water properly balanced. For those that are not sure what the water should be balanced with, there are three main parts: PH, alkalinity and calcium hardness. Here is a quick snapshot of how each contribute to the balance of your pool water.
PH is the measure of the acidity in the water. The standard PH scale goes from 0-14. When water has a PH between 7.2 and 7.8, this is considered to be an ideal range or neutral. Anything under 7.2 is considered acidic and anything above 7.8 is considered basic or alkaline. The reason you would want your PH neutral is to keep the corrosiveness to a minimum, as it could potentially shorten the life of your pool and spa equipment, which would bring up these expenses earlier than they should be.
Alkalinity can best be described as a buffer for your PH. Its ideal range is between 80 and 120. When adjusted properly, correct alkalinity levels will prevent your PH from jumping up and down, therefore leading to better consistency and less maintenance.
The water in your pool or spa needs calcium. When calcium is lacking in the water, it will naturally look to other sources to feed its calcium need. For example, a concrete pool that lacks calcium, will pull the calcium from the plaster, which will cause the pool surface to be rough, which creates an uncomfortable swimming experience, not to mention a potential swimming hazard.
It is very important for the health of your pool equipment and healthy experience of your swimmers to maintain these three items to have balanced pool water. It is recommend that you have your pool water checked at least once per week. You can take a sample of your water to Horizon Pool & Patio and they will check all of your levels at no charge. If your water is out of balance, they will make recommendations to help you bring your pool or spa water to the optimal balanced levels.
Horizon Pool and Patio are the pool care experts. They are family owned and operated. Since 1985, they have been serving Wellington, Royal Palm Beach, Lake Worth, Acreage, Loxahatchee and many of the other communities in Palm Beach County.
Horizon Pool and Patio provide both residential and commercial pool and spa service, equipment repairs, retail supplies and equipment, along with full pool renovations and remodeling. For more information on Horizon Pool & Patio, visit them at newhp.wpengine.com or call (561) 790-0665. You can always visit their Wellington store located in the Wellington Plaza next to Ultima Fitness at 12785A W. Forest Hill Boulevard.
