Basic Keeping Water Balance Info

May 28, 2013

You balance your water to prevent material damage from corrosion and scaling. Corrosion is an eating away of a material, like plaster or metal pipes and fixtures. Scaling results in unsightly, rough-to-the-touch deposits on surfaces and blockages in your circulation system. Your local pool company may have a water testing station with experienced employees who can explain your waters chemical make-up and give you the right instructions on how to fix it.
Keeping water in balance is achieved by managing three interrelated factors – pH, total alkalinity and calcium hardness.
pH – Water with low pH will cause scaling. Ideal pH is 7.2-7.8 ppm.
pH Too Low

  • Pits concrete, wrinkles vinyl liners, corrodes equipment
  • Metal Stains may appear
  • Promotes chlorine loss
  • Irritates bathers’ skin and eyes

pH Too High

  • Crusty deposits may form on contact surfaces (scale)
  • May contribute to cloudy water
  • Poor chlorine disinfection
  • Irritates bathers’ skin and eyes

Total Alkalinity – Amount of alkaline materials (carbonates, bicarbonates and hydroxides) in the water. When Total Alkalinity is low pH is impossible to control. Ideal Total Alkalinity 80-120 ppm.
Total Alkalinity Too Low

  • pH difficult to stabilize. It “bounces”
  • Damage from corrosion
  • Metal stains may appear

Total Alkalinity Too High

  • pH difficult to adjust – drifts up and remains high
  • Cloudy water
  • Damage from scaling

Calcium Hardness – “Hard” water contains high levels of calcium and magnesium salts, referred to as total hardness. Homes supplied with “hard” water commonly have a water softener installed inside the home to improve bathing, dish washing, clothes laundering and cooking. However, if you have “hard” water concerning pool water maintenance, only the level of dissolved calcium is important. Ideal Calcium Hardness is 200-400 ppm.
Calcium Hardness Too Low

  • Plaster, concrete and grout may be damaged
  • May lead to equipment corrosion

Calcium Hardness Too High

  • May contribute to cloudy water
  • Crusty deposits may form to contact surfaces (scale)
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