Three Essential Chemicals For Your Pool

Chemicals and Pools go together like nothing else.  Everyone who owns, runs or maintains a pool has to deal with some form of chemical during their tenure.  Essential pool chemicals keep your pool clean, disinfected, and bacteria free; it might seem like an unforgiving job, but there really is no other way.

There are a few things that should be borne in mind when dealing with chemicals.  First and foremost, never attempt to handle the chemicals with your bare hands: even though you will be swimming in them later, this is after they have been much diluted - neat chemicals are dangerous.  Secondly, no matter what or how many different types of chemicals you have, never attempt to mix them together.  Never!  Also, it is important to never add liquids to dry chemicals when in storage - leave that for the pool water!

Three of the most important chemicals are listed below; it's a good idea to keep a good quantity of them available for use in your pool.

1.  Alkaline Powder

Although Chlorine helps to kill off germs, it has the unfortunate side effect of raising the level of acid in your pool - excess acid attacks things, most importantly skin and the inside of your pool, and it's A Bad Thing.  Parts that contain metal may begin to corrode, turning your water a rather pleasant green color.  Not something that you want to be swimming in, I'll bet.

Of course it's not all that easy, because if you are using too much alkaline powder the water will get very cloudy.  The level of germs in the water will raise, and this can lead to very serious health issues.  Getting the right level of Alkaline and Acidity in the water is imperative to a healthy, enjoyable swimming pool.  

2.  Chlorine Powder

Chlorine powder kills germs, bacteria and algae that exist in your pool, multiplying and generally making your life hell.  To kill off these germs, you'll need to use chlorine in your water.  Chlorine powder is ideal for adding to the pool, but can be expensive, so you should always check how much you need before you buy (a pool testing kit is essential for this).  Chlorine is a chemical you simply must have, as it's impossible to keep your pool free of germs without it (or one of its many derivatives).  You'll always use it, so if you see a good deal (online or off) on Chlorine powder then snap it up - you'll always need it.

3.  Chlorine Tablets

Chlorine tablets are bought as either 1 inch or 3 inch tablets. The tablets go in your skimmer (normally 3 - 4 tablets at a time, but check with the instructions and your own personal test results before you decide how many to use); once here they dissolve slowly over time, providing just enough chlorine to clean and disinfect your pool while you continue to use it.  Summer months, or any other time you run your pool on a daily basis, will mean you need to swap for fresh tablets every week or so.  Using more than one skimmer may be necessary, but again check with the instruction or, better still an expert, before you embark on any adventures.  You can buy chlorine tablets by the bucket, containing many tablets, and many companies offer a mail order service for bulk buys.