Healthy swimming pools are the results of religious cleaning of the pool facility, pool water, and also the regular checking and balancing of the water chemicals. Pool alkalinity or also known as total alkalinity is the measurement of the total amount of alkaline substance present in the water of your pool, spa, or even your private bath tub. Similar with the other elements necessary in keeping the quality of the water at its best, alkalinity in pool water also plays an essential role in keeping the water problems in check at all times.

The ideal range where the total alkalinity in pool water should be is between 80 to 120 parts per million or ppm. Keeping the level of this element in its safe zone is vital as it is a buffer in the water chemistry of your swimming pool. Changes in the level of alkalinity also affect the pH level in the water as it rapidly affects or stabilizes the latter element. Maintaining the total amount of alkaline substance at its appropriate level would also mean controlling the level of pH in the pool water which tends to bounce from its lowest level to its highest when alkaline is not in its required parameters. Always remember that this element is the key in keeping the pH of the water at bay which is an element known to be jumping of the scale on its appropriate level.

Balancing the TA or total alkalinity should be done regularly to avoid battling water problems which often results to the gradual deterioration of the pool tiles, grout, plaster, metals, pipe fittings, facilities and even the furniture close to the swimming pool area. This process can be accomplished with the help of a water testing kit used to achieve the exact level of each component that needs to be set in their proper acceptable zones. Testing the pool water should be done frequently in order to have a reference of the water chemistry, especially after sudden changes in the weather or after a storm.

When the level of alkalinity in the water is out of reach, adjustment in the pool water chemistry should be made as soon as possible in order to quickly rebalance the pool chemicals. If left untreated, not only will the pool sustain some damages but also will the bathers as bouncing levels of this element can cause some mild to severe medical conditions.

Although maintaining this element can be difficult at times to manage and troublesome on severe cases, it is important that it doesn’t slip out of its suitable parameters. In case you encounter variation in the alkalinity level, all you need to do is get the right chemicals needed to correct this inevitable change. Sodium bicarbonate is used in treating too low level of alkaline substance while hydrochloride in either liquid or dry form is used to lower the level of this element when it reaches too high or exceeds the safe zone. If you are having problems with the balancing of the chemicals, it is best to seek the assistance of professional pool experts.

Author Bio: I write for Pool Prodigy about salt water pool maintenance and how to maintain a pool.

Category: Home Management
Keywords: pool water,water chemistry,water problems,swimming pool,alkaline substance,pool water chemistry