Water Care

Water Care Basics
  • The best time to test the water is in the evening, before adding chemicals and again first thing in the morning to ensure it is suitable for the days bathing.
  • If the swimming pool is used heavily then water tests should be carried out at least three times a day.
  • The ideal pH level for pool water is pH 7.5
  • Strong sunlight can reduce the amount of Chlorine in a swimming pool, therefore, monitor levels closely during hot sunny spells.
  • Pool water should generally appear clear blue in color, any variations, such as cloudiness, may be caused by bacterial or algae growth, suspended matter or other contamination which must not be ignored.
  • Check water at the return flow of water to the pool and add any chemicals at this point as well to ensure effective mixing with filtered water.
  • Regularly clean the pool surfaces including the waterline to ensure that build up of sun-oils, body fats, algae, airborne pollution and other dirt is not left to build up.
  • Pool surround paving slabs should be cleaned with a strong Chlorine solution, brushed away from the pool.
Chemical Storage
  • Minimize the different types of chemicals you store.
  • Don’t buy more than you will consume in a season. Some of the more hazardous pool chemicals don’t keep well.
  • Keep wet hands and dirty scoops out of your chemicals. Contamination is often a cause of problems.
  • Don’t store pool chemicals where other materials can fall into them.
  • NEVER mix swimming pool chemicals of any type! When adding chemicals to your pool allow one to disappear before adding another.
  • All forms of acids react dangerously with all forms of chlorine or bromine. NEVER mix Chlorine compounds that look or smell alike may not be the same: you have to know the actual chemical. Allowing even small amounts of different chlorine sanitisers to touch each other can be REALLY dangerous. In particular, trichlor and calcium hypochlorite can react dangerously on contact with each other. Once they’re dissolved in the pool, though, they get along fine.
  • Use gloves and glasses.
  • Make sure chemicals are locked away from small children.
  • Always label containers
Weight and volume measurement of water
All are approximate figures and are for guidance only
  • One gallon weighs 10 pounds.
  • One cubic foot weighs 62.7 pounds.
  • One cubic foot of water contains 6.25 gallons. • One cubic meter of water contains 220 gallons.
Estimating pool capacity
  • Rectangular pool: length x width x average depth x 6.25 = gallons of water
  • Round pool: 3.143 x radius x radius x average depth x 6.25 = gallons of water
  • Oval pool: length x width x average depth x 6.25 = gallons of water