After enjoying a wet, cool spring and early summer, we are well into our hottest time of the year in Central Texas. Having a pool in the back yard is a wonderful way to enjoy these hot days outside. Chances are, though, you are beginning to see and feel the effects of 95º+ temperatures on your pool water. Here are a few tips for keeping that water clear and comfortable. Check your water chemistry. Make sure the water chemistry is balanced. Water is balanced when it has the correct pH, total alkalinity and calcium hardness necessary for the water to be comfortable and non-corrosive or aggressive. Test your water weekly or take a sample to us at Hines Pool and Spa, so we can see what your levels are and tell you how to adjust them. As the summer goes by, pH, alkalinity, and calcium hardness can change due to chemical use, evaporation and refill. We can recommend the right chemicals to get your pool back on track no matter what the difficulty. It’s also good to check Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) and phosphate levels. High TDS fights chlorine action and high phosphates can promote algae growth. Test for Chlorine We recommend testing free and combined chlorine frequently. How often depends on how busy your pool is. Public pools should test daily this time of year. Warm water promotes algae growth and makes chlorine leave the water faster. Combined (waste chlorine that has done its job) chlorine makes the water dull and cloudy. If you have combined chlorine, you should shock the pool. See our calculator, https://www.hinespool.com/learn/pool-school/pool-calculator/ for proper dosage. Run your pump 24 hours per day Water turnover is essential for keeping your pool clean and clear. On most pools, chlorine is fed into the water only when the pump is running. If you have a two speed or variable speed pump, you may be able to run it at night at low speed to save energy. It takes some trial and error to determine what is right for your pool. Cool the water A simple way to keep the water cool, is to attach a fountain that will spray water into the air at night and back into the pool. Since the air temperature is typically 75-80º at night, this will keep your water from reaching its usual temperature of 85-90º. How this works depends on your pool. We have solutions for both residential and public pools. For more information on water testing and pool care, watch our videos at http://www.hinespool.com/learn/pool-school/videos/ Joe Hines Hines Pool Hines Pool & Spa-Pool Cleaning, Repair & Remodeling
Related Articles -
summer, pool, Austin, chlorine, water chemistry, swimming, swimming pool, pool repair, Texas, pool Service, Pool Maintenance,
|