There is a lot of misunderstanding and false information about baking soda and swimming pools. Some say baking soda can clear cloudy water, others think it can clear up algae, neither of which is true. What does baking soda actually do in swimming pool water? Baking soda, which is also known as bicarbonate of soda…
There are only a few reasons to be changing your pool water, and it is quite a big task. Luckily, most problems with swimming pool water can be fixed chemically or manually cleaning, but there are a few exceptions where you shouldn’t avoid changing your pool water. You should only have to change your pool…
pH and Alkalinity are usually linked, and it is important to maintain your pool’s pH levels. Too high or too low can be harmful to your pool and swimmers, but how do you raise or lower the pH and Alkalinity of your pool? The ideal pH of pool water is 7.2 to 7.8, while the…
Maintaining pool water can seem like somewhat of a science, and Google search results seem to contradict one another. Calcium hardness of pool water is a perfect example, causing mass confusion. I took it upon myself to ask around, and do A LOT of research to get to the bottom of the question – What…
Filling a swimming pool is damn expensive man, and it makes sense to use alternative water sources to fill your pool. In some places, the ONLY water source is a well. So, is it okay to use well water to fill a pool? Using well water to fill your swimming pool is perfectly fine, and…
We have all been there. Planned a pool party or barbeque, only to realize the day before that our pool looks disgusting, Green with algae! This can be highly embarrassing. Here’s a trick I learned to get my pool clear overnight. (Results may vary) Shock the pool with a triple dose of chlorine to kill…
Brown swimming pool water is usually a sign of high iron content. Pool water might suddenly turn brown after adding chlorine or muriatic acid, as it causes the iron to oxidize and basically becomes rust. Fix this problem by shocking the pool with a non-chlorine-based shocker, then scrub all the surfaces with a brush. Now,…
Proper filtration of your pool water is essential, not only to the appearance of your pool but also to the health and safety of your swimmers. Having said that, what will actually happen if you simply don’t backwash your pool? Increased water pressure strains the pump, eventually damaging it. Water can’t travel freely through the…
Prevention is always better than cure when it comes to algae and bacteria outbreaks in your pool. The only way to prevent this from happening is to check and maintain your chemical levels at the correct levels. How often should you test your pool water though? You should test your pool water at least once…
You might not even know that your pump is running dry. This can slowly start to happen over a long period. Your pump may have been running dry when you start to notice signs such as water leaking, loose covers or the pump is tripping the electrical distribution board. If you leave your pool pump…