What You Should Know About Pool Maintenance Chemicals

To keep your custom swimming pool free of bacteria, algae and other
microorganisms, it is necessary to chemically treat your custom pools.
Chemicals help maintain PH levels and eliminate toxins in pool water,
prevent clouding of water and remove stains. Here are some pool
maintenance chemicals that you should be aware of.SanitizersSanitizers
are chemicals that inhibit growth of micro organisms such as viruses,
algae and other contaminants. Chlorine and bromine are the two most
common sanitizers. Chlorine acts as a disinfectant and the ideal
chlorine level in water should be between 1 and 3 ppm. Bromine is an
alternative to chlorine and the ideal level of bromine is 3 ppm.
Bromine dissolves slowly and is a more effective sanitizer than
chlorine.It is recommended that you use stabilized 1" chlorinating
tabs, 3" chlorinating tabs, 1" bromine tabs or skimmer sticks. These
can be easily dispensed using floating feeder, skimmer basket or a
chlorinator. Use di-chlor chlorinating granules if you want to
disperse sanitizers directly. But make sure that the chlorine level
doesn't cross the optimum level.Pool balancersPool balancers are
chemicals that prevent cloudy water and algal growth. In addition,
they boost the performance of chlorine. Pool balancers can also be
added to maintain the PH level of the pool water. In order to prevent
skin or eye irritation among pool users, it is advisable to maintain
PH level between 7.2 and 7.6.StabilizersUV rays from the sun dissipate
the chlorine in the pool water. To prevent dissipation of chlorine,
stabilizers are used. But remember that stabilizers should be used in
measured amounts as high amounts of stabilizers can result in cloudy
pool water.ShocksIf you want to raise the chlorine level in water,
using shocks will be the ideal option. During periods of hot weather
or heavy usage of your swimming pool, bacteria can resist normal
chlorination. So, to break up such contaminants it is essential to
apply shock.AlgaecidesAlgae are of various types such as black, green,
mustard and pink and are the cause of slipperiness on pool surface,
spots on pool floor and cloudy or green water. Algaecides are
chemicals that inhibit algal growth.EnzymesBody lotion and oil from
pool users can cause pool water clouding and scum. To prevent build up
of scum and oil, enzymes can be used. It is advisable that you add
enzymes at least once a week.Stain removersWhen metals precipitate,
white and hard forms of metals are deposited on pool walls. Stains are
colored deposited metals that can cause discoloration and cloudiness.
To remove such stains, sequestering agents are used.ClarifiersCustom
pools come with a filter system that filters contaminants. However,
smaller contaminants sometimes escape such filter systems. Clarifying
agents and flocculants are generally utilized to make smaller
particles cling to each other to increase their size so that they can
be filtered by the filter system.CleanersCleaners are chemicals used
to remove alkalis and other organic materials from pool walls.Now that
you have some idea about the different kinds of pool maintenance
chemicals that keep your custom pools clean, make sure you stock these
up for year-long use.