Swimming Pool Care Myths

 

As summer heats up and your pool’s hit max usage, there are a few sneaky little swimming pool myths that we feel we need to eradicate once and for all; for the health of you and your pool.

Chlorine in your pool makes hair turn green.

 In fact, it is not the chlorine that results in slightly green tinted hair over summer but the pool cleaning chemicals used to control algae and that leach from internal fixtures. The presence of copper in your pool, for example, is a common cause of hair discolouration.

The smell of chlorine around a pool means that the pool is well sanitized.

 Contrary to popular belief, this smell indicates quite the opposite. The smell of swimming pool chemicals around your pool is evidence of the existence of chloramines in your pool, a chemical produced when chlorine reacts with external contaminants, such as urine or perfume. This smell is in fact indicative of a need for more chlorine. The presence of chloramines often results in skin and eye irritation.

It is ok to swallow pool water on occasion because it is disinfected.

 While the delicate balance of swimming pool chemicals is carefully moderated to ensure most waterborne diseases are mitigated, chlorine levels are not always consistent in pools, especially in the public sphere, where multiple people are enjoying the pool at once. Different germs respond at different speeds to the presence of chlorine, meaning some may still be present in the pool water. Swimming pools need to be militantly maintained to ensure there are no sneaky germs still residing in them. It is best to avoid swallowing any water where possible.

Water cleanliness is purely the result of adding chemicals and maintaining the pool externally.

 Actually, as a swimmer, there are a number of things you can do to ensure you don’t contribute to the contamination of a swimming pool. Avoid urine entering in the pool by taking children to the bathroom frequently and checking that they wash their hands thoroughly afterwards. As a swimmer you should shower before swimming to avoid other problematic substances like perspiration, oils, moisturizers and perfumes damaging the pool. Similarly, ensure that you never swim if you are suffering with diarrhea. Swimming caps can also help to keep pool maintenance at bay.

Just a little effort on the way towards keeping your pool water healthy.