How does your septic system really work?

4 Factors That Can Ruin Your Pool's Water

Although hiring a pool service in order to keep your pool clean and healthy is necessary, that doesn't mean that you can ignore the responsibility of caring for your pool completely. There are a number of things that are especially harmful to your pool's water that you should be aware of in order to avoid, as well as address, in order to keep your pool in its best shape in-between pool servicing.

Heavy Rain

Light rain is not something you should be worried about, as it is not enough to cause many changes within your pool. However, you should be concerned about heavier rain.

Within a day or two after a heavy rain, it is possible for your pool to turn green not just with algae, but e. coli and bacteria. Rain is acidic and can sometimes affect your pool's chemistry and pH balance. After a heavy rain, you may have a lot of excess water which dilutes the chemistry, and you may have some runoff from your pool deck which brings contaminants into the water.

The best way to fight against heavy rain is to cover your pool, but if your pool is not covered, there are a number of things to check after a heavy rain. Clean the water and check the chemistry, particularly the alkalinity, chlorine, pH and sanitizer levels. The contaminants introduced by the rain can be fought off by your sanitizer, but be careful that this doesn't lower your sanitizer level too far. Drain any excess water by using your filter's waste setting, draining until it is back at an average level.

Sunlight

Generally, the chlorine in your pool prevents your pool from during green. When exposed to direct sunlight, however, the chlorine in your pool dissipates. Chlorine added to a sunny pool on Friday will be almost entirely gone by Sunday.

Also, algae and other bacteria breed much more in hot, sunny weather than cool, cloudy weather. Slow-dissolving chlorine tablets are a good option for preventing the problems caused by sunlight. You can also  add cyanuric acid to your pool, which helps to diffuse the UV rays from the sun.

Bad Personal Hygiene

Your body can be a conduit for all manner of bacteria and parasites to spread to your pool. What may be innocuous to you may quickly spread to others.

For example, Cryptosporidium, commonly known as Crypto, is a parasite which causes the diarrheal disease cryptosporidiosis. This parasite can survive for days in chlorine-treated water, as it is highly resistant to chlorine. Even if your pool is well maintained, bad physical hygiene can spread Crypto among the swimmers in your pool. This is the leading cause of diarrhea illness outbreaks related to the use of swimming pools. The CDC has reported a 200% increase between 2004 and 2008. However, by following some simple hygienic rules, you can help prevent Crypto in your pool.

Wash your hands often, using water and soap for at least 20 seconds. Do not ever swallow any pool water, as Crypto can be easily spread this way. If you have diarrhea, do not swim! This is especially important for any diaper wearing children. If you find yourself diagnosed with Crypto, don't swim for at least two weeks after symptoms have ceased to exist. Always shower before you swim, rinsing yourself well before you get into the water. Make sure your children have washed up, especially their bottoms and after they use the toilets or have a diaper change.

Urination

While more common than you might think, the inconvenience of getting out of the pool to relieve yourself is well worth the trouble. One in five Americans admits to this taboo, according to a Water Quality and Health Council survey, but that doesn't mean that it is okay. Urinating in a pool is not only disgusting, but it is also unhealthy! Your urine affects the chemistry of your pool water, eating up the chlorine that is so crucial to preventing germs allowing germs and bacteria to more easily spread from swimmer to swimmer.

Keep these considerations in mind in-between your pool servicing and you will keep your pool water healthy and enjoyable.


Share