Top 5 Pool Supplies Needed To Maintain
Your San Tan Valley Swimming Pool

In San Tan Valley Arizona it’s necessary to use various chemicals to prevent the growth of bacteria and algae and to maintain water clarity in a swimming pool. Swimming pool maintenance can seem difficult at first, but soon you’ll become an expert at it. Let’s discuss the pool supplies you will need to get started.

1. Chemical Test Kit

The first thing you will need is a chemical test kit. The staff at your pool supply store will be happy to show you how to use it. You will need it to test and adjust the water for total alkalinity, chlorine, pH, and calcium hardness.

2. pH balancers

First check the pH level of the water. We use pH to describe acidity levels; it works on a scale of 0 to 14; 0 is highly acidic and 14 is highly alkaline. A pH level of 7.0 is considered neutral. It is essential to keep the water from becoming too alkaline or too acidic. The perfect pH level for a swimming pool is 7.2, since that is the pH of the human eyes. It is important to keep the pH level of the water between 7.2 and 7.4 by using pH up and pH down balancers. It is considered unsafe to allow the pH to go below 7 or above 7.8. Highly acidic pH levels can cause irritation to skin and eyes. It is also very hard on your swimming pool as it will cause corrosion of mechanical pool parts along with damage to plaster and grout. Furthermore, a high pH will trigger scale and calcium to build up on your pool and equipment and may also cause cloudy water.

3. Chlorine

Chlorine is a sanitizer used to kill algae and bacteria. When you check your chlorine level it should always be between 1 and 4 ppm to prevent algae and bacteria growth. Chlorine is available in many forms. Basic chlorinating tabs dissolve slowly and contain a built-in stabilizer which prevents the chlorine from being destroyed by the sun. They are available in different sizes and can be placed in a floating dispenser or in your skimmer.

4. Algaecide

One of the most common problems in swimming pools is algae growth. Algae spores make their way into your pool with rain, wind, and even the water you fill your pool with. Algae can come in slimy pink, black, or green spots. It can also clog your filter and cause low water flow. Sometimes it will turn your entire pool into a green science experiment! Algaecides are used to prevent algae growth. If you do develop an algae problem there are algaecides specifically used to quickly kill all types of algae.

5. Shock

Shock products help kill bacteria and algae and additionally break down suntan lotions, oils, and other swimmer’s wastes that the filter doesn’t remove. Shocking reduces chlorine odor and eye irritation, while keeping your pool clean and clear. Swimming pool shock helps get rid of compounds called chloramines that prevent chlorine from working properly. Shocking your pool helps make certain that there is enough available chlorine.

There are multifunction shock products that work quickly to destroy bacteria and swimmer’s wastes, while also balancing the pH, and can provide additional algae protection. Some shock products work so quickly that you can swim in as little as 15 minutes after treatment. There are also multifunction chlorine granules that can shock, chlorinate and kill algae with one daily use.

It’s a good idea to have a San Tan pool maintenance specialist professionally test your water several times a year. They will perform more complicated tests than you routinely do, such as free chlorine versus total chlorine, total alkalinity, quaternary ammonium compounds, copper, etc. You can have a pool maintenance service come to your home, or you can take a water sample into your pool supply store.

If you live in San Tan Valley, then you are lucky enough to be able to enjoy your swimming pool all year long. In order to keep your pool water crystal clear and inviting it will require frequent testing and well balanced chemicals.

Published By:

Malibu Pool Service and Repair – Kevin Swafford
2338 W. Lindner Avenue, #28
Mesa, Arizona 85202
Office: (602) 748-0544
Email: [email protected]