This is the second part of a 2-part article series about swimming pool chemicals. This article will discuss the other chemicals that you need to deal with algae, cloudy water, etc. You will also learn more about shocking and testing your swimming pool for the level of chemicals in it.

What do you know about pool chemicals so far? At least, you should know that it plays an important role in keeping your swimming pool well-maintained.

It does not take a rocket scientist to maintain your swimming pool. You just have to do it regularly. You can avoid algae growth and bacterial infections. Not only that, you will avoid wasting a lot of water. Because if you leave the pool untreated, you will have to drain it and fill it up with water again.

So it is really best to get a crash course in chemistry. Or at least, basic knowledge about pool chemicals. Don’t be intimidated by the “chemicals” because it is actually quite easy to understand. And once you have that knowledge, maintaining your pool becomes easier.

Other pool chemicals

If you read the first part of this article series, you already know about sanitizers and balancers. With these two, you should have what you need to keep the swimming pool safe and clean. However, there are times when other problems will arise that will require more pool chemicals. These are specifically used to deal with a huge growth of algae, cloudiness in the water and also staining.

It’s time to learn more about the roles of these other chemicals.

Let’s go through all of it one by one so you can understand the different pool chemicals that will keep the water safe for swimming.

Algaecide

Sanitizing your pool regularly should keep algae from growing in the water. However, there are times when the water becomes unbalanced without you noticing that algae start to grow. To kill algae that are already in full bloom, you need to use an algaecide. While it will not completely kill the algae, it will keep it from becoming worse.

Once you have it in, you need to work on getting the chlorine level up. That is how you eradicate the algae growing.

In case the water in your pool is high in minerals, the best chemical to use is a copper-free algaecide.

Flocculant and Clarifier

Another pool chemical is the flocculant and the pool clarifier. Technically, they do the same thing – they clear the water when it looks cloudy.

However, these pool chemicals work differently. The flocculant will treat the cause of cloudy water. It causes the particles that caused the cloudy appearance of the water to clump together. This will make it sink to the bottom of the water where you can remove it by using a pool vacuum.

The clarifier, on the other hand, will make the pool look clearer immediately. At least, in time to make it look clean for the guests that are about to arrive. This will only be temporary so you still have to use the floc to treat the water.

Metal Sequestrant

Some metals cause the pool to stain. It is caused by iron and copper in the water. You need to clean the pool of these stains. This can be done by using a metal sequestrant. This pool chemical will attach itself to the metal particles in the water. That way, it will not settle on the surface and make the pool look stained. This is really handy if your pool is filled with hard water or water from the well.

Shocking the pool

Shocking the pool is oftentimes necessary regardless if you keep the pool chemistry balanced. You need to do this regularly to address the product wastes (chloramines and bromamines), cloudy water, algae, etc.

So what is involved when you shock the pool water? You will basically dump a lot of chlorine in it all at once. This will clean the water and solve issues with pool algae, etc.

The best way to do this is by using a calcium hypochlorite shock. You may want to do it once a week. There is also a chlorine-free shock available if you want to keep your pool free from chlorine.

Testing the pool

Knowing the pool chemicals will be for nothing if you don’t know how to test the pool. You need a testing kit for this. It will show you the different levels of the chemicals in the pool. It is important for you to conduct regular tests. You need to do it before and after you add the chemicals. If you just ended a pool party with a lot of guests, you also need to test the pool. You also need to test the water after a big storm.

There are many ways to test the level of pool chemicals. You have the test strips. A more accurate option is a liquid test kit. There is also a digital water testing kit that you can use. It is also important to have the water in your pool tested in the local pool store. This will give you a more comprehensive report on the safety of the water in your swimming pool.

How to handle pool chemicals safely

The pool chemicals are dangerous so never be careless when handling or storing them. Here are some tips that you can follow to keep you and your loved ones safe.

  • Study and follow the manuals carefully.
  • Educate yourself on the different pool chemicals that you will use.
  • Store the chemicals in a dry area that will never go below 95 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Place the chemicals in separate containers with tight covers or seals.
  • When placing the chemicals in the pool, make sure the animals and kids are nowhere near the vicinity.
  • Wear the right gear when handling the chemicals. These include gloves, goggles, and clothes that you do not mind getting ruined.
  • Have specific utensils and tools for handling the pool chemicals.
  • Wash your hands thoroughly immediately after handling the chemicals.
  • Avoid pouring chemicals directly down the drain.

Always follow these safety reminders when handling pool chemicals. You need to learn how to handle them properly. After all, you will have to use them regularly. So try not to be careless to avoid accidents from happening.

For tips on how to handle pool chemicals, which ones to use and in what quantity, contact us today!