Swimming pool info& tips

Here are a few hits & tips to get you started with your pool!

The best time to test the water is in the evening, before adding chemicals and again first thing in the morning to ensure it is suitable for the days bathing
If the swimming pool is used heavily then water tests should be carried out at least three times a day
The ideal pH level for pool water is pH 7.5
Strong sunlight can reduce the amount of Chlorine in a swimming pool, therefore, monitor levels closely during hot sunny spells
Pool water should generally appear clear blue in colour, any variations, such as cloudiness, may be caused by bacterial or algae growth, suspended matter or other contamination which must not be ignored
Check water at the return flow of water to the pool and add any chemicals at this point as well to ensure effective mixing with filtered water
Regularly clean the pool surfaces including the waterline to ensure that build up of sun-oils, body fats, algae, airborne pollution and other dirt is not left to build up
Pool surround paving slabs should be cleaned with a strong Chlorine solution, brushed away from the pool

Chemical Storage

Minimise the different types of chemicals you store
Don't buy more than you will consume in a season. Some of the more hazardous pool chemicals don't keep well
Keep wet hands and dirty scoops out of your chemicals. Contamination is often a cause of problems
Don't store pool chemicals where other materials can fall into them
NEVER mix swimming pool chemicals of any type! When adding chemicals to your pool allow one to disappear before adding another
All forms of acids react dangerously with all forms of chlorine or bromin
NEVER mix Chlorine compounds that look or smell alike may not be the same: you have to know the actual chemical
Allowing even small amounts of different chlorine sanitisers to touch each other can be REALLY dangerous
In particular, trichlor & calcium hypochlorite can react dangerously on contact with each other. Once they're dissolved in the pool, though, they get along fine
Use gloves and glasses
Make sure chemicals are locked away from small children
Always label containers

Weight and volume measurement of water

All are approximate figures and are for guidance only

Estimating pool capacity

The above calculations are for measurements in feet, if metric multiply the end result by 220 to get the correct gallons of water.