If you are thinking about purchasing either a metal framed pool or an easy set pool, the water chemistry maintenance is the same. You must commit to balancing, sanitize and shocking your water. When pool water is “balanced,” it has the right pH and total alkalinity. Proper balance improves the effectiveness of sanitizing and shock products.
Most pool stores will test your water for free and give instructions on how to get your water chemistry balanced correctly. You also will be instructions on what chemicals will be needed to keep your water chemistry just right the whole summer.
Sanitizing pool water kills bacteria that can be harmful to swimmers and also helps control algae. The most common approach to sanitizing pool water is chlorine. Of course, in the past few years salt water chlorinators have become popular. Either method requires regular checks to and maintenance of you sanitizer level because bacteria enter the pool continuously from many sources. Chlorine tablets placed in a floating chlorine container works the best in these types of pools. There are some pumps in this class of pool that will allow for chlorine tablets to be placed in the pool filter.
Shocking the pool is adding chlorine to pool water in larger than normal amounts. Shocking the pool is extremely importance because it protects you and your swimmers from bacteria and organic contaminants. The concentrated chlorine blast will help prevent and fix many common pool water problems. You should shock your pool water at sundown because the sun makes chlorine burn off. It should be done once a week or after heavy rain or heavy usage. Always run your pump when you shock. There are many different types of shock. I have my best results using a product that contained an algaecide and a water clarifier.
It might sound like a lot of work but with a little advice from your local pool store will have you maintaining your pool like a pro.
