Email: sales@poolchemicalproducts.co.uk www.poolchemicalproducts.co.uk OVERCOMIING COMMON PROBLEMS WIITH SWIIMMIING POOL,, HOT TUB & SPA WATER PROBLEM REASON SOLUTION I don t know what chemicals I need for my swimming pool! I don t know what chemicals I need for my hot tub / spa! (ii) New swimming pool owner New hot tub or spa owner Build up of dirt and bather pollution and insufficient chlorine or poor filtration Start of algae growth due to Regular water balance testing will help to determine chemical requirements, so testing equipment is the best place to start. The key products are sanitizer (usually chlorine), water balancers, algaecide and clarifier. See our Tips page for a full description and water balance guidelines Basic Swimming Pool Starter Kit Complete Swimming Pool Starter Kit All products in our starter kits can be purchased individually Regular water balance testing will help to determine chemical requirements, so testing equipment is the best place to start. The key products are sanitizer (usually bromine for hotter temperatures), water balancers, algaecide and clarifier. See our Tips page for a full description and water balance guidelines Basic Hot Tub Starter Kit Complete Hot Tub Starter Kit All products in our starter kits can be purchased individually Backwash filter then super-chlorinate with unstabilised chlorine to 10mg/l of free chlorine. To polish water, add water clarifier Pool Clean Water Clarifier Organo Clean Super-chlorinate with unstabilised chlorine then backwash filter after 24 hours. Ensure recommended chlorine level is maintained Page 1 of 6
(iii) (iv) (v) Green pool water insufficient chlorine levels or lack of algae prevention treatment Over stabilisation making chlorine ineffective High ph or high alkalinity causing precipitation of salts and suspended particles Water has reached the saturation level, meaning the Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) level is so high, particles cannot be dissolved and float in suspension Presence of algae in the water due to insufficient chlorine levels or lack of algae prevention treatment Alternatively, shock with algaecide and continue to dose regularly Dilute pool water and super-chlorinate with unstabilised chlorine Test ph and correct to recommended level ph Reducer Check TDS level and use flocculent clarifier to easily remove particles Pool Clean Water Clarifier Organo Clean Digital TDS Meter Super-chlorinate with unstabilised chlorine then backwash filter after 24 hours. Ensure recommended chlorine level is maintained Alternatively, shock with algaecide and continue to dose regularly Page 2 of 6
Out of specification water balance: ph too high Out of specification water balance: ph too low Out of specification water balance: ph locked Erratic ph levels Slimy swimming pool walls High alkalinity, insufficient amount of dry acid Excessive use of ph balancer or low ph of water used to fill High Total Alkalinity Incorrect Total Alkalinity Bacteria and algae growth due to insufficient chlorination or use of algaecide Decrease alkalinity to recommended level using a ph reducer Increase ph to recommended level using a ph increaser. Stabilise ph with alkalinity builder to avoid fluctuations ph Plus Alkalinity Builder Check ph, correct to recommended level Check ph, correct to recommended level and stabilise with alkalinity builder, which will also help to avoid erratic fluctuations ph Plus Alkalinity Builder Test water for bacteria levels. Super-chlorinate with unstabilised chlorine to kill algae then sweep or vacuum debris. Implement ongoing algaecide treatment Alternatively, shock with algaecide and continue to dose regularly Page 3 of 6
Slimy spa walls Foaming spa water Foaming pool water Itchy or sore eyes, throat or skin when in swimming pool, hot tub or spa Poor cleanliness meaning build up of dirt, organic material and bather pollution Build up of oils, organic material and concentration of minerals in the water High level of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) from chemical treatments plus build up of oils, organic material High Combined Chlorine as chlorine levels are too low Bacteria Dipslides Test water for bacteria levels. Super-chlorinate with unstabilised chlorine to kill algae then sweep or vacuum debris. Wash spa sides with a mild cleaner and brush. Implement ongoing algaecide treatment Bacteria Dipslides Dose with antifoam Antifoam Check TDS level, replace some of the water and treat to meet water balance requirements. Add antifoam Antifoam Digital TDS Meter Test chlorine levels. Combined Chlorine should ideally be 0 and is calculated as follows: Combined Chlorine = Total Chlorine Free Chlorine Super-chlorinate with unstabilised chlorine Alternatively, try using bromine as your sanitizer Granules Total Chlorine Drop Test Kit Page 4 of 6
Itchy or sore eyes, throat or skin when in swimming pool, hot tub or spa (ii) Chlorine level difficult to maintain Chlorine level difficult to maintain Unable to achieve chlorine reading on test kit after adding chlorine Incorrect ph Chlorine is not established, can be destroyed by sunlight High water temperature allows organisms to multiply quickly Chlorine level might be too high Bromine Tablets Bromine Tablet Dispenser Complete Hot Tub & Spa Testing Kit Test ph and raise or lower as required to meet recommendations ph Plus Use stabilised chlorine rather than unstabilised chlorine Stabilised Chlorine Granules Stabilised Chlorine Tablets Chlorine Tablet Dispenser Increase chlorine dose rate. As hot tub and spa water is a higher temperature, bromine may be a more effective sanitizer Stabilised Chlorine Granules Stabilised Chlorine Tablets Bromine Tablets Chlorine Tablet Dispenser Bromine Tablet Dispenser Complete Hot Tub & Spa Testing Kit Test chlorine level. Dechlorinate water if reading is very high Dechlorinator Page 5 of 6
Pool Chemical Products addresses the basic requirements for a sparkling swimming pool, hot tub or spa and how to resolve general problems. All tips and advice provided are recommendations; please also seek guidance from your supplier or manufacturer and take heed of Health and Safety precautions. Pool Chemical Products takes no responsibility for damage or accidents. The above advice should not be assumed as an all encompassing diagnosis as a number of common problems can originate as a result of equipment failures or the use of other products not supplied by Pool Chemical Products. Advice has been provided specifically to issues where Pool Chemical Products can provide our own product recommendations. Page 6 of 6