Basic Pool Terminology
Maintaining good clear water is important not only for the look of your water but for the safety as well. This is done by two processes: filtration and water treatment. Whether you chose to do it yourself or hire a service technician, it is important to maintain your water for both your own health and the health of your pool. Improperly balanced water can not only make you sick but can actually damage the surface of your pool and shorten the life of your equipment.During the summer months, you will use more chlorine, whether chemical chlorine or that which is produced with a salt system. The elements as well as increased use increases the maintenance required to keep your water sparkling. Low chlorine can allow phosphates to get high which feeds algae - and you have a GREEN pool!
Filtration
Debris and contaminate solids come from both the environment such as sand, dust, leaves, pollens, bacteria etc, and the swimmer, lotions, perspiration, lotions, suntan oils, urine (yes whether we want to admit it, there is always that person), bacteria, and even viruses. Your filter is what removes the large particles from the water through a screening process. Dirt and large debris (insoluble matter, meaning it does not dissolve) are separated from the liquid as they are too large to pass through the small openings in the filter medium. Solids are measured in microns. What is left in the water after filtration is handled by water treatment.
Water Treatment
Does your water just look ok, or is it inviting?
With my first pool, this was a question asked of me, I answered, "well it looks ok ". Boy what a shock, the difference in perfectly balanced and filtered water vs just ok. It was shimmering, it looked cool and inviting. I know it sounds like a cliche but if you have seen the difference I am sure you understand, if you haven't, once you see it you will!
