Pool Chemicals

Apool should look clear, and it is wise to regularly monitor the pool to ensure its cleanliness and to maintain appropriate levels. Experts recommend that a pool have a pH level between 7.4-7.6. Lower or higher levels can result in corrosion, skin and eye irritation and can damage the filtration system.

Chlorine is a very popular swimming pool chemical that can be purchased in the form of tablets, grains or sticks. Chlorine keeps a pool sterile by disinfecting it. Bromine is another type of disinfectant commonly used in hot tub and indoor pools. Bromine also kills germs and bacteria commonly found in water. Many people favor bromine over chlorine, even though it is more expensive, because it has a less penetrating smell.

Chlorinators and brominators are used to automatically dispense chlorine or bromine in a pool after you set the appropriate dose for dispensing. They offer a great way to ensure that the pool is maintaining the proper chemical levels. Some are available as flotation devices that freely float around the pool.

Algaecides work by both destroying and preventing algae and can be purchased in tablets or liquid form. Some algaecides are chemical mixtures, although there are also non-toxic versions on the market as well.

Shocks are normally needed after your pool has been inactive over the winter and are often recommended throughout the swimming season and for algae as well. Shocks are a high-dosage mixture of different chemicals.