In order to enjoy the hot days in the swimming pool it is essential to perform a good and constant maintenance, since the hygiene of the water is of utmost importance, because in this way the appearance of microorganisms is avoided. Depending on the treatment given to the water we can swim safely. A dirty swimming pool or with excess of chlorine can generate problems in the skin or in the swimmers’ health.
Chlorine is the most used chemical product for the maintenance of a swimming pool, although sometimes people can put more product than necessary, causing skin irritation and redness in the eyes, however, this problem has several ways to be solved safely and effectively. You can go to companies or the right pool installers to explain the process of chlorine and how to keep your swimming pool neutralized.
Why a swimming pool may have excess chlorine
After some months of keeping the swimming pool sealed, the pool should be shaken, which indicates to shock the water by adding extra chlorine, this is done to eliminate bacteria or algae generated by not using the swimming pool, but you may exceed the tablets you should use to do this procedure, it can also happen that in daily maintenance you exceed the product causing a chemical imbalance.
You must understand what the chlorine levels are
Consider the size of your swimming pool to know the concentration of chlorine you need, however, the consensus measure is that both the chlorine and pH level should not exceed 5 ppm and 7.6 respectively.
With this information in hand, you can test for chlorine using a DPD test kit or droplet kit, which measures free and combined chlorine levels to give you accurate information.
To perform this process you must measure a small amount of water, then add the DPD powder, the water will turn pink, then add the FAS compound to the water, placing one drop at a time until the pink water becomes clear again, it is necessary to clarify that each drop of the FAS compound is equivalent to 0.2 ppm of chlorine.
How to neutralize chlorine levels in wáter
Use sunlight: if you have a sunny day, take the opportunity to uncover your swimming pool and expose the water to sunlight for two hours, this process helps to lower chlorine levels by 90%, this is because UV rays react with free chlorine and convert it into chlorine gas.
Do not add chlorine: remove the chlorine tablets from the skimmer, you can even swim in the swimming pool to activate the chlorine and reduce the level of the chemical, as the chlorine removes bacteria introduced into the water by swimmers.
Heating the water: If you have a heated swimming pool you can increase the temperature to 90°F-10°F above the recommended setting, this process affects chlorine levels because bacteria proliferate and consume more chlorine. The swimming pool’s heating technology helps keep the water neutral when it has become over-chlorinated and the even heating allows you to use the swimming pool in all seasons of the year.
Chlorine neutralizing product: In the market you can find several chlorine neutralizers that do not alter the pH of the water, add the product gradually so as not to eliminate more chlorine than necessary, otherwise you will have to readjust the chemical levels of the swimming pool.
Try Sodium Thiosulfate: Add it with a pool skimmer, this product is an alternative to neutralize chlorine, the amount to use will depend on the amount of gallons of water you have in your swimming pool and the initial level of chlorine. Add a little at a time and test the chlorine levels in the water as you add the product.