Many pool owners are so focused only on chlorine for sanitizing the pool that they forget about keeping their water properly balanced. There are four main components to proper water balance: pH, alkalinity, calcium hardness and water temperature. Here is a quick snapshot of how each contributes to the balance of your pool water.
pH stands for “potential hydrogen”, and 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, it is considered to be in the ideal range, or neutral. Anything under 7.2 is considered acidic and anything above 7.8 is considered basic or alkaline. Keeping the pH neutral will keep the corrosiveness to a minimum, as a high or low pH could potentially shorten the life of your pool and spa equipment and surface. A neutral pH is also best for bather comfort.
Alkalinity can best be described as a buffer for your pH. Its ideal range is between 80 and 120 parts per million. When adjusted properly, correct alkalinity levels will minimize pH fluctuation.
Pool or spa water needs calcium and will pull it from the plaster surface if the level in the water is too low. This will cause the pool surface to become rough, pit, and deteriorate. If the calcium is too high, this will plate out on the surface, causing discoloration or staining.
Water temperature affects water balance in that the temperature determines the amount of dissolved solids (primarily calcium) that the water can hold. The warmer the water, the more solids the water can hold. Unless the calcium can be lowered through dilution, the pH and alkalinity must be brought in line to balance the water. These four parameters are factors in the Langlier Index, a formula which takes into account the amount of dissolved solids in the water. Horizon offers free water testing and recommends that you bring a water sample in once a month so that the experts can balance you water properly, according to the Langlier Index.
The staff at Horizon Pool and Patio are the pool care experts. Family owned and operated, Horizon has been serving Wellington, Royal Palm Beach, Lake Worth, Acreage, Loxahatchee and many of the other communities in Palm Beach County since 1985.
Horizon Pool and Patio provides both residential and commercial pool and spa service, equipment repairs, retail supplies and equipment, and full pool renovations and remodeling. For more information, visit Horizon at newhp.wpengine.com or call (561) 790-0665. The retail store, located in the Wellington Plaza next to Schaefer’s Drugs at 12785A W. Forest Hill Boulevard, is open seven days a week.
