We receive many questions about balancing water.
The first step in maintaing your water balance is to determine if you have a salt water system or a chlorination system. Once you determine the type of system, use these helpful tips below to maintain water chemistry.
1. HOW TO USE YOUR TEST KIT: Your test kit helps you know the chemical condition of your water. Dip the vials in your pool and fill to the line with water. Add five drops from the bottle with the yellow cap in the chlorine vial and five drops from the bottle with the red cap in the pH vial. Then compare the watercolor in the vials to the chart provided. It is important to have your water professionally checked by a pool store once a month during the pool season. Proper water balance prolongs the life of liner or plaster and equipment. Remember to check your chlorine level (1.5 to 2.0) and the pH level (7.2 to 7.6) WEEKLY. Proper chemical maintenance prolongs the life of your pool parts.
2. SALT SYSTEM: Salt systems need to remain between 3400 to 4000 PPM. Typically adding one bag of salt after the pool is properly balanced will raise your level by 200 PPM. Routine maintenance includes removing and inspecting cell for objects forming or lodged in the cell. You should inspect your salt system monthly to ensure it is working properly. Salt systems produce un-stabalized chlorine. Salt systems rely on stabalizer to block harmful UV rays. Direct sunlight and heat kills chlorine levels.
- Cleaning the Salt Cell: unscrew the unions to release the cell, mix 2 parts water and 1 part muriatic acid (this will dilute the acid) in a bucket and clean the cell with the mixture and a brush. Replace the cell and tighten down unions.
3. CHLORINE: Maintain between 1.5 - 2.0 PPM on test kit. Keep 1-5 chlorine sticks in the chlorinator. If the chlorine level is below 1.0, boost the reading by mixing 1 lb. of Lithium (LTM or SHOCK) with water in bucket and pour in the skimmer. Your chlorine sticks are meant to maintain an existing chlorine level and will not significantly raise it. Put sticks in the chlorinator and skimmer during extreme heat and pool use.
4. TOTAL ALKALINITY: Maintain between 100 – 150 PPM on test kit, with the ideal level being 120 PPM. Check your total alkalinity once a week and especially if you are getting a low reading on your pH, since the total alkalinity serves to stabilize the pH. Always adjust the total alkalinity before adjusting the pH, since “Total A” has a side effect of raising pH, hence, check the pH about 12 hours after adding “Total A”. A lab can check this for you.
5. pH: Maintain between 7.2 – 7.6 on test kit. If pH is HIGHER than 7.6, add 12-16 oz. of muriatic acid to the deep end. If pH is LOWER than 7.2 add 12-16 oz. of soda ash to the deep end. Always check pH about 12 hours after making a correction to ensure a proper reading.
6. CALCIUM: The chemical protects your vinyl liner, plaster, pebble, and equipment. Only a pool supply lab can properly check the level in your pool. Have your water checked upon opening and once a month during the season.
Helpful Tips:
- NEVER put chlorine or other chemicals directly on your vinyl liner, unless otherwise directed.
- Take your water to a local pool store once a month to be tested.
- Add chemicals through your skimmer, except salt.
- If your pool is green, you will want to add SHOCK to boost the chlorine levels. If the chlorine level is below 1.0, boost the reading by mixing 1 pound of shock with water in a bucket and pour the mixture in your skimmer. Never dump shock directly in your skimmer without diluting.
- Always add a chemical to water, never water to the chemical.
- After you add chemicals, let your pool run for 12 hours before swimming.
- Failure to maintain proper water chemistry can destroy everything on your swimming pool and will void your warranty.
Happy Swimming!
The Staff of Hilltop Pools and Spas, Inc.
9133 South Main Street
Jonesboro, GA 30236
770-471-3889
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