Every pool owner should have a basic understanding of the swimming pool chemicals they are putting into the water.
Fortunately, only a handful of pool chemicals are necessary to balance water chemistry.
The Importance of Pool Chemicals
Pool chemicals ensure that the water is clear and healthy to swim. Think about all the leaves, frogs, and other rodents that might take an unexpected dip; the pool parties with suntan lotions, soaps, and pee(!) that stay in the pool.
Without chemicals, a pool would turn into a swamp pretty quickly.
They also keep water levels balanced. Whether it’s fighting a rising pH or increasing calcium in the water, chemicals help achieve those actions.
What Pool Chemicals Do I Need In My Pool?
Walking into a pool store can be an overwhelming experience. It is hard to miss all the algaecides, shocks, and metal suppressors on the shelves.
Pools don’t require that many chemicals. Some of them can damage the pool’s chemistry and your equipment.
Knowing the pool chemistry basics goes hand-in-hand with chemical usage. Once you know what to test, it’ll be easier to understand what to add.
In general, chlorine will be the bedrock chemical used. It’s a sanitizer that will raise free chlorine (FC) levels, fight and prevent algae growth, shock your pool, and solve any unwanted water issues.
It’s also good to understand the different types of chlorine and how they should be used.
While chlorine is a broad sanitizer that can tackle multiple items, most chemicals have one job in balancing pool water. Here are the rest of the recommended pool chemicals:
- Muriatic acid or dry acid to lower pH
- Borax or soda ash to raise pH
- Household baking soda to raise total alkalinity (TA)
- Calcium chloride or calcium chloride dihydrate to increase calcium hardness (CH)
- Cyanuric acid to raise CYA
How Much Chemicals Should Be Added to a Pool
Knowing how much of a chemical to add is as important as knowing what to add. For example, CYA and calcium hardness can only be lowered by draining pool water, so going over on chemical additions can be a costly mistake.
Knowing how many gallons or liters your pool holds and the relationship between the pool’s volume and chemical additions is highly recommended.
Fortunately, if you don’t know the pool volume off-hand, pool volume calculators and apps can help.
An accurate and reliable testing kit is crucial to know the right additions. It is the only way to know the current state of the water and what is necessary to add.
The most accurate and reliable pool testing kit.
Read our full Taylor K-2006 Review.
Where Should Chemicals Be Stored?
Storage for your pool chemicals is important not only for safety reasons but also to prolong the overall effectiveness of each chemical.
They should be stored in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area, preferably away from other household chemicals and flammable items.
Ideally, a shed or portable plastic bin is the best place to store chemicals over the pool season or year-round.
Resin weather-resistant shed to safely store pool chemicals from heat and rain.
While garages might seem like the logical place, compounds that makeup chemicals like acids and oxidizers can rust and corrode metal objects like cars and mowers.
Other Safety Basics to Consider With Pool Chemicals
At the end of the day, these are chemicals we are talking about! Mishandling or misuse can be very dangerous. Follow some basic rules and guidelines when handling chemicals:
- Always add chemicals to water. DO NOT add water to chemicals. This can cause dangerous reactions.
- Never mix chemicals together.
- Always keep pool chemicals in their original containers.
- Never use a chemical in a feeder that isn’t what the manufacturer recommends.
- Always keep out of the reach of children.
Now You Know the Basics!
Understanding the balance between your testing and chemical use will pretty much cover everything there is to know about maintaining pool water.
Of course, some questions and issues will pop up along the way but know that for most issues that do come up, chances are they start with water that isn’t properly balanced, and chlorine can solve many problems.
