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Get Your Pool Chemicals In Check for Spring with these Top Products

pool in check for spring

Swim season is right around the corner and that means that it’s time to get our business prepped for spring pool care. While everyone would love to swim all summer and not have to worry about upkeep, reality is that pools require some care. That said, if you know the proper products to use and when to use them, your customers can rely on your assistance when prepping their pools for spring.

What to do When Pool Water is Not Clear

Clear, sparkling water is what every pool owner expects to find when they head outside for a swim. However, sometimes what they’re met with is anything but, and then you get a call from a panicked pool owner about cloudy pool water. There are a number of issues that cause cloudy or discolored pool water. 

Potential Causes of Cloudy Water

  • High pH
  • Dirty filter
  • Low Levels of free chlorine
  • Filter is missing small particles
  • Over-backwashing sand filters
  • Metals dissolved in the water

glb ph down pool product

To remedy these issues, you need the right products. If you suspect high pH to be the cause of the issue, test to be sure. If it is in fact too high, then adding the appropriate amount of a pH lowering product and making adjustments, as necessary will rectify the issue.

glb filter rinse pool products

For filters that have become too dirty to properly clean the water, a filter cleanser takes care of the problem. Sand filters can be refreshed with a filter rinse product, such as GLB® Filter Rinse. 

glb super sequa-sol pool product

If you’ve tested and determined that a lack of free chlorine is the issue, then adding sanitizer should correct the issue. You may need to shock the pool to get the levels up to the optimal amounts. When small particles are escaping the filter a clarifier may need to be added to pull the particles together so that they can be filtered out more easily. For those with hard water, adding a sequestering agent restores clarity. And finally, to avoid over-backwashing sand filters, use a filter rinse product, monthly.

Potential Causes of Colored Water

  • Algae (both green, black, and mustard)
  • Minerals (iron, manganese, copper, etc)

algaetrine

When the weather gets warmer, algae flourishes. Algae love a warm environment and when water does not have the ideal levels of sanitizer, is not circulating enough, is not balanced, or is not properly filtered, algae can get out of control. If you’re servicing a pool with water that is cloudy with green or brown spots, then algae is likely the culprit. To eliminate algae, an algaecide must be used as directed and daily brushing of the pool walls and surfaces may be necessary until the issue is resolved. 

algaecide resist

Water that is tinged with green often has an issue with copper that is dissolved into the water. This copper may come from corroded pipes or a heater. If water has a reddish look it is likely from an excess of iron or manganese. Both issues can be resolved by adding the recommended amount of a sequestering agent, followed by a rebalancing of the water. If the discolored water has caused stains, then using a product that sequesters the minerals and removes stains is needed.

Simplified Commercial Pool Sanitation

Commercial pools see high levels of usage and, as such, require powerful chemicals and some automation to keep the water clean, clear, and healthy. Calcium Hypochlorite or Cal Hypo as it’s known in the pool world, is a powerful form of chlorine that quickly and easily raises the levels of free chlorine in pool water. Cal Hypo is also gentle on pool equipment and surfaces. Even better, it is relatively easy to get and inexpensive.

cch elite system

That said, Cal Hypo is unstabilized, so it needs to be added more regularly than traditional chlorine tablets and also must be dissolved prior to adding to the water. With those requirements in mind, having an automated feeder like CCH® Elite in place for adding Cal Hypo to pool water is necessary. It’s also important to note that Cal Hypo contains no cyanuric acid, so pools that are in direct sunlight will need CYA added to stabilize the chlorine. 

Cal Hypo can also bring pH levels up. In some instances, this can be of great benefit. However, at other times, pH can get too high. To keep this in check, adding a pH control system keeps the water in balance without a lot of added effort.

 

A Direct Line to Expert Advice and Quality Pool Products

When you’re in need of high quality residential and commercial pool care products, top training, and up-to-date industry information, you can count on us at Alpha West. Our network of manufacturer reps have extensive knowledge of the pool and spa industry and we stay on top of current industry happenings and innovative products to bring only the best to the businesses we serve. Talk to us today. 

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