Pool sanitising is an important process undertaken by any pool owner. Here are four key reasons why it is so important to perform this task regularly.
The primary reason for treating pool and spa water with sanitising chemicals is to prevent the growth of dangerous bacteria. Bacteria growing in your swimming pool can make swimmers sick by causing infections infection in ears, nose and throat and possibly other more dangerous diseases like Meningitis. The primary source of bacteria is swimmers and bathers themselves. But top-up water, debris such as leaves, grass, dust, and animals can also contribute to bacteria levels. A large dog, for example, can contaminate up to twenty times the volume of water that a human can. It is these bacteria in your pool that can put your enjoyable summer family time at risk.
Bacteria can be easily controlled by adding a sanitiser (most commonly Hypocholrous Acide or simply ‘chlorine’) regularly, and then passing the water through a filter to remove the dead bacteria.
Frequently adding chlorine to your pool combats any existing bacteria lurking beneath. But is also helps create an essential ‘barrier’ for any new nasties entering the water. It is important to ensure that any additional bacteria entering the water is met by a ‘sanitiser residual’ in sufficient concentration to kill it as quickly as possible. It is generally accepted that most harmful bacteria will be killed when exposed to a ‘free chlorine residual’ as low as one milligram per litre, or one part per million (ppm). Regularly testing your pool water and adding the necessary amount of chlorine will help ensure that a residual level of 1.0 or 2.0 ppm is maintained. Remember, if in doubt, call your local Jim’s Pool Care expert who can assist you.
Many pool owners complain about the smell of chlorine and believe that this means their pool may have too much (or sufficient) chlorine levels in it. However, the opposite is in fact true. Not having enough chlorine in your pool can result in the chlorine smell and also lead to users suffering with sore eyes and itchy skin. This is because a bi-product of chlorination is the production of chloramines. To get rid of them, you need to add more chlorine. And this may be the reason why your pool, from time to time, requires ‘superchlorination’.
If you have a heated pool, it will require more chlorine than a non-heated pool. This is because chlorine is used up more quickly in warmer water. Stabilised chlorine products should not be used in heated pools as their effectiveness is greatly reduced. Consult your local Jim’s Pool Care consultant for specific advice for sanitising your heated pool.
What type of chlorine should I use?
It’s clear your pool needs sanitising regularly to keep your family and friends healthy and your pool time enjoyable. We are often asked by our clients which chlorine solution is best. Chlorine is available in a number of different forms, for example, granular, liquid or tablet. Chlorine can also be generated by a salt water chlorinator. Each of these forms has its own features and benefits and the right choice will vary between pool owners.
Granular chlorine, for example, is convenient, relatively affordable and easy to store between uses. However it can’t be dosed automatically. On the other hand, liquid chlorine is bulky and can’t be stored for long periods, but can be dosed automatically. It is important to note that you should never mix chemicals, even different types of chlorines, as a fire and/or explosion may result.
Salt chlorinators generate chlorine in the pool water using a process of electrolysis to convert sodium chloride (salt) into hypochlorous acid. These units are available in different sizes to suit different size pools. If you are considering purchasing a salt chlorinator, be sure that the unit you select is capable of producing sufficient chlorine to meet your requirements. In any case, you may still need to add extra chlorine from time to time to make sure a satisfactory residual level is maintained.
If you are not sure which type of chlorine or salt chlorinator best suits your pool, you can call one of our friendly Jim’s Pool Care experts on 131 546 for a free quote.
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