How Clean is Your Pool Water?

The most common question we receive from our customers and prospective customers is whether the pool water has the proper chemical balance. The most important word here is "chemical." The balancing of pool water is literally a science and requires a strong understanding of the various chemicals used to ensure they are properly balancing one another.

Many folks take a sample of water to a local pool shop for evaluation and while they're told the pool is balanced, the water still turns green. Oftentimes these pool shops are just ensuring the water is within the documented standards, but we need to dive deeper to understand what's causing the discoloration and to really confirm whether the water has the proper balance.

Here are a few quick tips of things to look out for to check your pool's chemical balance. If you spot any of these issues, give us a call for a free chemical check. Pool chemistry has a domino effect, one chemical will always affect another (either positively or negatively), which is why proper chemistry is so important. 

Water should never smell like chlorine
A properly chem'd pool should not smell like chlorine or leave your skin or bathing suit smelling like chlorine. Chloramines are a type of combined chlorine that form in water and then off-gas into the air above the water. Too much chloramine causes the ammonia (chlorine) smell.

Water color should be clear and pH balanced so eyes don't burn
Clarity of the water comes from the pH level, which has to match a certain standard of 7.2 (the same pH in your eyes so your eyes don't hurt when you open them in the water). Some companies will intentionally put the pH lower than 7.2 to make the water look clear, but anything below 7.0 is considered acidic and will burn your eyes. A pH of 7.5 or more is too oxygenated and will also burn your eyes. There is a perfect sweet spot to ensuring the proper pH.

Your skin should not be irritated after being in the water
Pools with the appropriate chemical balance should not leave your skin feeling "sticky" when you dry off. The biggest problem is that many companies increase the use of cyanuric acid (otherwise known as "conditioner") since it is the velcro in the water molecule that holds all chemicals in the pool longer. The ideal level of cyanuric acid is 80-100 parts per million). Anything higher that this and you will feel "sticky" in tender points of the skin (such as the inside of your elbow) after drying off.

Want to check your water's chemical balance? 
Send us an email at [email protected] for a free chemical check. Precision Pool and Spa Service LLC provides service, repair and maintenance in Thousand Oaks, Westlake, Simi Valley, Moorpark, Newbury Park, Oak Park, Hidden Hills, Agoura Hills, Woodland Hills, Encino and surrounding areas. ​