A swimming pool is an attractive feature for any home and a source of pleasure for the family. In order to ensure that the pool looks attractive and can be enjoyed to its optimum, the water should be of the best quality. Bacteria grows readily in unmanaged pool water. If left unattended, this can become a health risk.
The key to clean and healthy water in a swimming pool is to use the correct chemicals and to maintain the balance between them. The most important chemical balance to maintain is the level of acidity in the water, or the pH level. This level is not constant, as it can be affected by additions to the water such as lotions worn by swimmers and by chemicals added to the pool. Dust, leaves and rain water can also affect the acidity level of the water.
The pH of water is measured on a scale from 0 to 14, the optimum level being 7.4, but any level between 7.0 and 7.8 is acceptable. If the pH is not within this range, it is likely that anyone swimming in the pool will develop red eyes, or get an itchy skin. If the pH is too high, then the chlorine cannot be completely effective. A high pH will also result in the build up of calcium on the bottom and sides of the pool, which can become rough and unsightly.
To make sure that the pH level of pool water remains constant and the water healthy, the water should be tested at least once a week.
There are two types of test kits that are available for the use of pool owners:
Both test methods give accurate results.
A liquid kit consists of a plastic container with level indicators. A small amount of pool water is put into the container, to which a chemical is added – either in the form of liquid drops, or tablets. The reaction with the chemicals in the water results in a change in colour, which is read against the indicators.
The test strips are arguably easier to use. The strip is simply dipped into the pool water. The reactants on the strip will change colour according to the pH level. This is read against the provided colour chart.
Pool owners should choose the test kit that suits them best and which is easiest to use. It is necessary to follow the instructions to ensure the correct results.
Share6 April 2016
The kitchen is the most used room in my home, and in the past, I found it could get messy and chaotic very quickly. Trying to cook dinner when you can't find an essential appliance or see past the clutter on the counter is no fun. I realised I enjoyed my time in the kitchen more and was more productive when my kitchen was organised and laid out in a way that optimised functionality. I changed my kitchen cleaning and organising routine, decluttered, got rid of appliances I don't use and moved things around to ensure frequently used items were easy to reach. I started this blog to share my tips for creating a kitchen that's enjoyable to use, and I post about ways you can optimise the space you have. I hope you find my posts useful.
