Keep Calm and Swim On

By Cassie Johnson

Few things are more refreshing on a hot summer day than cooling off in the pool…unless your pool is a constant maintenance issue. The joy of owning a pool can become a hassle whether above or in-ground. New pool owners and skilled veterans both can find themselves drowning in common pool problems. Let’s dive a little deeper into issues that your local pool expert can help you with.

Daily Testing

On many occasions, water complications are avoidable by diligently testing your water. Testing helps keep all pool levels balanced with safe water to swim in. You can purchase test strips to test the water, or a kit from a local pool store. You should test at least once a week. Rainwater can affect the chemical levels, so test it more often when it rains. Besides chemicals, the pH and alkalinity levels need to be balanced.

“There’s more than sanitizing chemicals like chlorine and bromine to consider when testing your water,” said Nan Donohoo, Sunshine Pools and Spas owner. “Failure to do daily testing can cause water complications or corrosion on parts of your pool such as the ladder or railings.”

Know your Alkalinity

pH is a measure of how acidic or basic the water is. On a pH scale from 0-14, 7.4 is the neutral point. Anything below 7.4 is considered acidic and anything over 7.8 is considered basic. In most cases, the ideal level pH for a pool is 7.4-7.8.

Total Alkalinity, or TA, is the measurement of alkaline substances in your water. It acts as a buffer to pH and stabilizes pH levels. When the TA levels are not balanced, the pH can fluctuate quickly and make it difficult to maintain a normal pH level. TA levels should be from 80120.

“If your eyes burn while swimming or shortly after, your pH level is below the normal range or your Chlorine level is too high,” Donohoo said. “TA and pH are both critical to pool maintenance. If one is off, the other will be as well. You may have to go back and forth between bringing down the TA and increasing the pH before you get a balance for each of them. Always re-test your water before adding more chemicals.”

Going Green

No, we don’t mean recycling. Green water means you have a lovely crop of algae growing in your pool.

“Usually, green water happens because the chlorine level has dropped below normal and this allows algae to grow,” Donohoo said.

Treatment for green water will take a little elbow grease. You will not be able to safely use your pool until the process is complete. First, your swimming pool will need to be vacuumed. You will lose pool water while vacuuming, so put your garden hose in the pool to simultaneously add water.

Next, the pool walls and floor will need to be brushed to make sure all algae is in the water so the chemicals can kill it. Lastly, the pool will need to be ‘shocked’ to kill the bacteria. Most of the time this will take place 24 to 48 hours, but keep in mind that all pools vary.

Cloudy Water

If it looks like fog has settled in your pool, chances are it's dead algae or a lack of chlorine. Just like with algae growth, this could have happened because you skipped testing the water or heavy rain wiped out the chlorine.

Filthy Filters

Let’s face it, we live in the pollen capital of the world! Environmental factors like pollen or high winds that blow dirt and dust into the pool affect your filter. Reapplying sunscreen is necessary to protect our skin, but nts above normal, the filter needs to be back washed.”

Suck It Up – Literally!

Vacuuming at least once a week and brushing the pool walls and floors is necessary. Anytime dirt, leaves, or debris gets on the floor but is not vacuumed, algae will begin to grow. Chlorine will migrate to the debris rather than circulate through the entire pool, preventing the chemical from fully working.

Ask a Pro

“Take a water sample to your local pool store for professional weekly testing,” Donohoo advises. “They will test the water and show you exactly what chemicals need to be added, if any, to make your water safe again. It will save you a lot of time and confusion.”

Don’t let your swimming pool send you over the deep end. Test it, treat it, clean it, and enjoy it. Be proactive and learn when to recognize a problem. Have fun this summer, and ‘just keep swimming’! 

“I work full-time, and because the BIS degree has such a flexible format and all of my classes were offered online, I was able to finish both my associate’s and bachelor’s degree in about a year and a half.”

— Stacey Williams, Class of ‘22