Swimming Pools & Spas

Pool alkalinity can change rapidly with improper maintenance. Properly caring for you pool will help to ensure that your pool water does not become drastically out of balance. This is accomplished...

Keeping balanced levels of acid and alkalinity in pools is an important step to keeping a healthy pool. Balanced pool levels help prevent algae and pathogens from taking up residence in the pool...

The pH level of the water is one of the most important things to maintain to keep your spa healthy. If you do not maintain it, the water can damage your spa and become uncomfortable for people who...

Balance the chemicals in a swimming pool for the good health of swimmers and structural safety of the pool. Incorrect chemical levels in pool water can cause infections as well as eye and skin...

A hot tub is just like a swimming pool except for the volume of water it holds and the high temperatures of that water. Like a pool, it must have the proper alkalinity and pH levels. If the pH and...

Water balance, which means the correct pH, alkalinity and calcium hardness levels, is critical in the fight against algae. Although these water properties themselves cannot kill the algae, levels...

Homeowners with traditional chlorinated pools have many reasons to change to a saltwater pool. While saltwater pools still contain chlorine, the chemical is created by reactions in the pool's...

Salt water pools are growing in popularity. The water is said to be softer on your eyes, clothes, hair and skin because there are fewer chemicals in the water. Salt water pools still require some...

Saltwater pools, while more cost effective then fresh water pools, will still need to be maintained. Adjusting your pool's pH, chlorine and alkalinity levels will keep your water in excellent...

Swimming pool maintenance for a small pool is a difficult chore to accomplish, but not impossible. Unlike the in-ground and larger above-ground pools that have a filter system to circulate the...

Swimming pools require filtering, cleaning and the addition of chemicals to maintain their water clarity and purity. Adding these chemicals in the correct order and dosage amount based on the...

Lowering the alkalinity level in your pool is not difficult at all. If you know what pool acid is, if you can pour a bottle and take an alkalinity test, then you can do it. Don't get bogged...

Kiddie pools are set up in backyards all across our country, and little children enjoy hours and hours of splashing and fun times in the water. These pools, although smaller than the larger above...

A backyard swimming pool is a great place to relax and enjoy the warmer weather with friends and family. In order to achieve a healthy-looking pool, though, there are a number of factors to...

Your swimming pool is a source of fun and relaxation for family and friends, but to keep it looking good, it needs regular maintenance. Weekly brushing and vacuuming are part of the equation, and...

Filling the pool with water is now complete and the kids are ready to swim, all you need is a way to treat that water to keep it clean and healthy. The care and maintenance of a pool includes...

Swimming pool owners have been using chlorine as their sanitizer for decades and that is primarily because of the disinfecting power that chlorine has. It kills microorganisms such as algae and...

Swimming pools are a popular form of enjoyment and relaxation. They come in all shapes, sizes and building materials, but all require the initial addition of chemicals along with weekly...

There are a number of different swimming pool sanitizing systems available in the marketplace. Each system is dependent on the same pool chemistry basics of balancing the alkalinity, pH and...

Pool chemicals are required to create a balance of chemistry within the pool water to control pH, acidity, alkalinity, water clarity, metals, algae and bacteria. Filtration systems, such as sand...

Your swimming pool alkalinity level is a vital part of your pool chemistry. The most common and safest way to increase your pool's alkalinity level is with Sodium Bicarbonate, or baking soda. ...

Add soda ash (sodium carbonate) to your pool to raise the pH level and the pool's total alkalinity. Soda ash is an alkali compound, usually in powder form, that counteracts an acidic condition in...

There's nothing worse for a swimming pool owner than green, cloudy water. There are a number of factors that contribute to this problem including poor filtration, poor water chemistry and simple...

Acid is a common chemical added to hot tubs and spas to keep the pH of the water in balance, helping the water stay clean, clear and ready to enjoy.

A hot tub is one place that can revitalize the body and the mind. All magic aside, this place of refuge also requires careful maintenance to ensure longevity throughout its use. The four main...

Your swimming pool water is comprised of different components, which collectively form your water's chemistry. The balance required among these components is critical to achieve a clean and clear...

Spa water is in limited quantity, measuring in the hundreds of gallons range. You must balance the water's chemistry each week throughout the three-month duration it is in use. After that time,...

Chemicals need to be added to spa water for various reasons. Some of them are used to alter the water's chemistry, enabling sanitizers and oxidizers to work properly. Other chemicals are used to...

In order to keep your above-ground swimming pool sparkling clean, there are a series of steps to follow each week during the swimming season. Regular, weekly maintenance includes brushing the...

Super chlorination is the process of sanitizing pool water with a large dose of chlorine. Weekly sanitizing maintains water that is free from disease and parasites. Chloramines are formed in your...

The water in your swimming pool is made up of different properties. For example, it is wet to the touch and can be either warm or cold. However, the chemical properties of water on a molecular...

Chlorine used to be the primary way of sanitizing pool water until the early 1980s, when a chlorine alternative named Baquacil was developed and introduced into the marketplace. This alternative...

Calcium is a key element of the chemical treatment for your swimming pool water. Learn how to test the PH balance of your swimming pool water in this pool care video from our swimming pool expert.

From time to time, your backyard swimming pool may wrestle with a bout of algae. This condition can occur because of neglect, imbalanced water, broken equipment, vacations or not enough sanitizer....

Total alkalinity is a reading of how basic or acidic you're swimming pool water is. It is similar to the pH reading but it is different. Total alkalinity acts as a buffer to the pH and prevents...

Once you have your swimming pool balanced, there are factors constantly at work to change that perfection. Temperature, bather load, splash out and evaporation are all working against you....

Your new spa can provide you and your family with many hours of relaxation. Addressing water quality issues, both initially and on a weekly basis will keep it safe to use. It is not difficult to...

The most popular method of cleaning pool water is the use of chlorine. Available in either liquid or solid, chalky tabs, chlorine keeps the pool water sanitary and healthy for swimming. Chlorine...

Maintaining the right chemical balance in your swimming pool is not just to keep it pretty and clean, but also to keep it safe for swimmers. HTH is a company that makes chemical products for pools...

When you open your pool, you need to add pool chemicals to maintain a precise formula. Each chemical that you add affects the other chemicals in the pool. You want to add the chemicals in exact...

A swimming pool can add hours of family fun to your backyard. Caring for a pool, however, can add extra expenses to your family budget. According to CNN Money, the average cost of swimming pool...

Swimming pools are treated with chemicals to kill bacteria and maintain a pleasant appearance. In order to keep your swimming pool at a stable pH level, the total alkalinity (TA)--the level of...

Having the right level of alkalinity in a pool is critical. Rather than raise the level of alkalinity by adding harmful chemicals, try using sodium bicarbonate.

Keep your swimming pool chemically balanced and sanitized by maintaining the water at the proper pH level and monitoring total alkalinity, chlorine and other variables. When the total alkalinity...

Chemically unbalanced pool water can cause many problems, so you should check the chemical levels in your water regularly and make any necessary adjustments. Test for pH levels, calcium hardness,...

Swimming pools must be tested regularly for total alkalinity, which is the ability of the pool water to resist changes in pH. This is sometimes called the buffering capacity of the water, and it's...

With summer just on the horizon it is time to start thinking about dipping into your pool. Don’t let unsightly rust stains prevent your warm weather fun, though. This article will give you tips on...

Salt in pool water can make skin feel softer. Plus, salt doesn't stretch out elastic like chlorine can, and it can leave swimmers feeling more refreshed. It's not surprising, then, that nine out...