How to Maintain Pool Water
- 1). Scrub the tiling and coping (finished edges of the pool) free of any mineral buildup or corrosion using a pool brush. Do not use any additional chemicals during this step as most buildup will scrub off easily.
- 2). Clear the pool of any floating debris using a net. Sweep any collected dirt or grime from the walls and bottom of the pool using a brush. Attach a long extension handle to the net and brush if necessary.
- 3). Measure the pool water's acidity or alkalinity using a pH test kit. The recommended value for swimming water is between 7.2 and 7.8. A value below 7.2 indicates high acidity, which may dissipate chlorine and cause eye irritation. A value above 7.8 indicates high alkalinity and may cause cloudy water or slow filtration.
- 4). Balance the pH by adding either soda ash or muriatic acid. Soda ash will help to raise the pH if it is too low; muriatic acid will lower it if it is too high. The amount of ash or acid you must add is relative to the size of your pool. As a reference, balancing the pH in a 10,000 gallon pool that is low or high by a point or more typically requires one gallon of ash or one quart of acid.
- 5). Add a chlorine compound (sodium hydrochlorite) to the pool regularly. Depending on the size of your pool and the type of chlorine you purchase, the amount required will vary. Chlorine can be purchased as either a liquid or a solid (powder or floatable tablet).
- 6). Run the pool's filtration system at regular intervals. Some systems can be programmed to function automatically, while others may have to be switched on manually. If you own a motorized sweep style system, drop it into the pool several times a day.
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