Essential Tools Kit for every Pool and Spa owner
For all of their many benefits, swimming pools also come with a number of inherent issues. Most of these can be mitigated through maintenance and careful observation. As a swimming pool owner, there are a few tools that you should always have on hand, to ensure any arising problem can be nipped in the bud.
Test Kit: It is integral that you measure your water levels regularly, so that you can manage any spikes or deficiencies before they become problematic. A testing kit will allow you to do so in quick and efficient manner.
Alkalinity Increaser: After testing your pool you may find that it is lacking in alkalinity, this is a simple but common problem to resolve. Using your alkalinity increaser, you can adjust this level before your pool water becomes dull or cloudy. Be sure to adjust the recommended dosages found on the increaser to match the size of your pool.
pH Reducer: When it comes to managing pH, a pH reducer is a safe, less harmful and less corrosive alternative to the more commonly used muriatic acid, and thus something you should always have on hand. If you have discovered that the pH level in your pool is too high (above 7.6 ppm), you can use a pH reducer to normalize it.
Water Hardness Increaser: As a pool owner, you will also require some chemicals to increase the swimming pool calcium hardness. When your pool drops below 200ppm, you will need to add calcium chloride. It is thus essential that you have this pool cleaning chemical in your tool kit at all times.
Stabilizers: Stabilizers are an excellent way to avoid excessive consumption of chlorine. If water is tested regularly, one can detect when the stabilizer level falls above or below the requisite 80 – 100 ppm, and administer stabilizers, before chlorine is required to sanitize the pool. Keep in mind that hot and sunny weather often results in destabilization, so testing is especially integral through summer.
Chlorine: Perhaps the most important swimming pool chemical in your kit, chlorine is the most common santiser on the market. After testing your pool levels, you may be required to add chlorine to ensure your pool doesn’t discolour, or become unsanitary.