March 25, 2021
Balance is everything. You can apply this rule too much of life, including in managing your pool water. Balance, when it comes to swimming pool water, refers to its chemistry. Retaining balanced chemistry is necessary for both the safety of swimmers and the longevity of your pool surface. The safety of the swimmers makes sense, but unbalanced water lessens the longevity of your pool surface.
The National Plasterer’s Council defines balanced water chemistry as, “swimming pool water that is maintained in such a manner as to prevent etching and scaling conditions to the surface.”
The average cement-based plaster is a combination of several components: cement, sands, and aggregates. These three components form a surface that is aesthetically pleasing and durable. There are four components of the chemistry of your pool that you should pay attention to:
- Low Calcium Hardness
- Low pH
- Low Carbonate Alkalinit
- High Cyanuric Acid Levels
Here is what each of these components do to your pool:
Low Calcium Hardness
The amount of calcium in the water determines the hardness and softness of your pool water due. A low calcium hardness results in corrosive pool water that will begin to peel away the calcium compounds on your pool surface. The concrete mixture that makes up your pool surface consists of high calcium molecules that dissolve in water with low calcium hardness.
Low pH
You should be monitoring your pool’s pH regularly since a balanced pH is key to the health of the swimmers, but low pH does not only negatively affect people! Acidic water will dissolve the components of your pool—from the concrete surface to tiling and vinyl surfaces. Pool water with a low pH wreaks havoc all across the board.
Low Carbonate Alkalinity
Low carbonate alkalinity can lead to etching, pitting, and cracking of your pool surface. Any metal surface in your pool can corrode and become discolored, making your pool walls vulnerable to staining. Your pool surface’s life span will be reduced if the alkalinity is not kept in check.
High Cyanuric Acid Levels
Cyanuric acid (CYA) is created through the chlorine used in the pool. As pool water begins to evaporate, the levels of CYA increase as it is left behind. High CYA levels will dissolve and leach the compounds off of your pool surface, fading pigments in the process. Diluting the pool with fresh water can help reduce CYA levels.
These attributes can wreak havoc on your pool surface, keeping them all in check is important to maximizing the lifespan of your pool surface. If your pool surface has already suffered from deteriorating, dissolving, and leaching, then it is to call in Clements Pool Services & Repair to resurface your pool.
About Clements
In operation for over 15 years, Clements Pool Services & Repair, has been a proud staple of their local community, providing pool supplies and services to the pool owners of Leesburg. Misty and her husband Mark, a retired Law Enforcement Officer, created Clements to provide excellent supplies and quality products for all of your pool needs. Clements is the best choice for your pool maintenance and services in, Florida.
