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A Daily, Weekly, and Monthly Pool Maintenance Schedule

11/23/2020

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With the COVID stay at home measures many people in warmer climates like here in Lake Havasu City sought out to buy homes with private pools or to build a brand new pool in their backyard so they can enjoy swimming on their own terms.  

After your pool is constructed or you move into a home with a swimming pool for the first time, you will want to do everything you can to keep that pool in top condition and the water clean and safe to swim in. To do this there is daily, weekly, and monthly upkeep tasks that should be performed. These tasks should be done regardless of how often the pool is used. Even if no one has been in the pool for a few weeks, proper maintenance should be performed, because your pool is still exposed to outside contaminants.  

Keeping a pool in good condition and the water clean is not a difficult task as long as it is met with consistency. Here is a daily, weekly, and monthly pool maintenance guide to help pool owners stay on top of keeping their pools in top shape.  

Daily  
  • Skimming: Getting out the net and skimming the pool for debris should be done every day. Sometimes this needs to be done multiple times a day.  
  • Brushing- After skimming the pool for large debris the sides/walls and floor of the pool should be brushed for any clumps of dirt. Brushing the pool also helps prepare for vacuuming.  
Twice a Week 
  • Check the pH levels. This will help ensure the water is properly balanced. It should be between 7.2 and 7.7 
  • Cleaning the Skimmer Basket: The skimmer basket should be removed and cleaned to keep the circulating water clean. If it seems like the pool needs more frequent skimming with a net check the skimmer basket more often. 
Weekly 
  • Algaecide: at least once a week the pool should have a dose of algaecide and clarifier. This will kill algae without ruining pool tiles and it will keep the water from becoming cloudy.  
  • Chemicals: pools use chlorine to kill the bacteria in the water and keep it safe to swim in. It is critical to have the level of chlorine in balance so that the water is kept sanitized but does not irritate the eyes and respiratory system of swimmers.  
  • Vacuum: suck out all of the debris at the bottom of the pool after brushing the walls and bottom once a week. Investing in a robotic vacuum will free up some time from doing it yourself.  
  • Clean the Pool Deck: the stuff hanging out on the pool deck ends up in the pool. Keep the pool deck clean to help minimize what gets in the pool. 
Monthly 
  • Clean the Filter: This is usually monthly but really depends on how long the filter has operated since the last cleaning. The indicator of when to backwash is when the gauge reads between 5-10 psi higher or is very low.  
  • Shocking: This is when the chlorine level in the pool is raised to 5 to 10 ppm to make sure all algae and bacteria are eradicated. This will also break up any combined chlorine.  
  • Prevent Ring Around the Pool: Clean the water line on the pool walls and use a scrubby sponge to clean the throat and well of the skimmer to prevent unsightly ring around the pool.  
Yearly 
  • Dive and Slide Surfaces: These surfaces can get a buildup of gunk and make them slippery. They should be cleaned annually to keep them safe. While cleaning check for loose bolts and the overall working condition.  
  • Check the Pool Cleaner: once a year make sure the parts are in good shape and functioning as they should 
  • Thorough filter clean: filters should be removed and deep cleaned once a year. They should be hosed down and then soaked in a filter cleaner.  
  • Pump: check the pump and give it some yearly maintenance 
    to keep it running properly.  
Keeping up a pool is not hard work, but it is a significant amount of work. With the right routine you can cut down on how much time this will take you. Some people opt to save time by hiring a professional to help with all or some of the maintenance.  

For pool maintenance in Lake Havasu City contact My EverClear Pool any time.  
More Tips for Pool Owners:


  • Can you have a pool if you're allergic to chlorine?
  •  What type of pool is best for your home?
  • Should I use a pool chiller?
  • How to Make a pool more efficient
  • ​Make a Holiday Cleaning Checklist
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How to Have a Pool If You're Allergic to Chlorine

10/26/2020

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Salt chlorinators can provide a solution for swimmers who are sensitive to liquid chlorine or are allergic to it and suffer adverse effects from swimming in chlorine. The advantages of using salt to sanitize a pool are numerous beyond just offering an alternative for sensitive skin.  

Allergic or sensitive reactions to chlorine can bring on many different symptoms. Some of them can include red or irritated skin, itchy skin, or even sniffles and breathing problems. These reactions do not commonly appear right away at exposure to chlorine. In most cases adverse reactions and symptoms are experienced a few hours later.  If you have experienced unpleasant symptoms you feel are a result of swimming in chlorine, it is best to consult a doctor so they can help to diagnose the issue and determine if you do in fact have an allergy or sensitivity to chlorine.  

In some cases, people spend their entire childhood as frequent swimmers with no problems and develop chlorine sensitivities later in life.  
​
​Read More: How to Care for a Pool Naturally

The best way to continue to enjoy swimming is for those sensitive to liquid chlorine to swim in pools with a salt chlorinator. Salt chlorinators produce natural chlorine by applying an electrical current that is of low voltage and turns the salty water in the pool into water with free chlorine that kills all organic matter in the pool without causing harsh side effects to swimmers.  

Salt Water Pool Maintenance 
A salt water pool is similar to a traditional chlorine pool in that you add salt regularly like you would chlorine. The difference is you add salt, not chlorine, and you add it to the salt chlorinator for it to turn the salt into natural chlorine. Some people are concerned their pool will feel like the ocean after converting it to a salt system, but the salt needed to chlorinate and keep pool water clean and balanced works out to be less salt than what is present in human tears. Most people don’t even realize the salt is in the pool. Some people with salt water pools like the way that the salt water feels on their skin saying it has a softer feel than traditional chlorinated water.  

If you are having skin issues every time you go swimming, you may want to look into converting your home pool to a salt chlorinator system after taking a visit to the doctor of course.  

For more information on pool maintenance or for professional pool maintenance services in Lake Havasu City please contact us any time.  
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Educational Pool Games for Back to School

9/21/2020

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Now that the kids have been back to school for a little while we thought we would share some fun pool games you can play with them to help them become stronger in some of the skills they are learning in school.  

Here are some fun educational games to play in the pool.  

  • Word Hunt 
Buy a couple of packs of sponges and write random letters on each one with a large permanent marker. To be able to create more letters you can cut the sponges down to smaller sizes if you wish. Have your kid(s) grab a specific number of sponges after you say go. You can play a second way by having them grab as many sponges as they can in a certain time period. When they have all of their sponges, see how many words they can create.  

  • Pool Noodle Counting 
This can be a fun math game for younger kids. Purchase a pool noodle and cut it into ten equal rings. Write the numbers from one through ten on each ring, you can buy more noodles and write more numbers if you wish. Throw the rings in the pool and have your kids collect and put numbers in order, count by twos, by threes, find two numbers that add up to a number you call out, etc.  

  • Treasure Hunt 
Grab a handful or two of spare change and throw it in the pool. Tell your kids they can keep all of the money they find if they add it up themselves and get the right amount. Change is a great way to count by fives, tens, twenty-fives, and of course ones.  

  • Whirlpool/Wavepool 
This is a game best played with several people. Kids love how they can generate enough power to change the flow of the water in the pool. Smaller pools are easier to accomplish the task.  

-Whirlpool: have everyone circle around the outside edge of the pool in the same direction for at least three or four minutes. With enough people this will cause a current that creates a water tornado in the middle and sort of carries everyone along with the current.  
-Wavepool: this works really well with boogie boards, but can also be accomplished by just moving your arms back and forth just under the water’s surface without breaking the surface tension.  

  • Boat Race 
Have each kid create their own boat that floats and line them up in the pool. Give every boat builder a straw and see who can sail their boat from end of the pool to the other by blowing through the straw to push the boat. It’s a fun science lesson.  

For more great pool tricks and care information please browse our website. For professional pool maintenance in Lake Havasu City please contact us anytime. 
 
 
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What Type of Pool is Best for My Home

8/17/2020

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Many people right now are interested in investing  in a backyard swimming pool to have their own private oasis to cool down on hot days. Installing an inground pool in your yard is a large expense so you want to be sure you are making the best decision with your hard-earned money.  ​

To help decide what type of pool would be best for your home, let’s take a look at the most common types of inground pools. 

Vinyl Liner Pools 

Pros: This inground pool is one of the least expensive options. The material cost is lower than other options and can save around $5,000 to $10,000 compared to a fiberglass pool. A vinyl liner also allows you to pick almost any shape and size of pool you can imagine. Today’s vinyl liner options allow you to make the pool as deep, curvy, or large as you would like.  

Cons: The biggest disadvantage of a vinyl liner inground pool has got to be its lifespan. The liner material is a polymer that will break down over time and need replacement. The liner is easier to tear and it can come undone at the top seems causing it to sink into the water. The average expected lifespan of a vinyl inground pool liner is 7 to 12 years and the average cost of liner replacement can be anywhere from $3,000 to 7,000 depending on how large the pool is and how uniquely it is shaped.  

Concrete Pools  

Pros: Concrete pools, also known as gunite pools, are probably the most common type you see. One of the best features of installing a concrete pool is the ability to design and customize it specifically how you want including size, depth, and shape. Concrete pools are very nice to look at and elevate the luxe of your backyard, because of this they can bring a lot of added value to a home.  

Cons: Concrete pools are sometimes considered high-maintenance. These type of pools need more chemicals and brushing to keep them clean and every 8-15 years the concrete will need a resurface. In addition to more upkeep some say that concrete pools can be rough on the feet when you are in the pool for several hours. If you decide on a saltwater pool this will cause the concrete to need resurfacing much sooner.  

Fiberglass Pools 

Pros: Fiberglass pools are much lower maintenance than other types of inground pools. Their smooth and non-porous finish makes it hard for things like algae to grow on the surfaces. Fiberglass pools require a much shorter construction period and some can be installed in as little as five days. Some of the newest fiberglass pools offer a 35 year lifespan. 

Cons: One of the major disadvantages of a fiberglass pool is the liner needs to be constructed off site and transported in one massive piece from the factory to your home. This puts a limit on the size of the pool. If you want a swimming pool larger than 40 feet by 16 feet, a concrete pool would be a better option for you. Another disadvantage is that you will have to pick from pre-designed shapes made by the pool company. This is not the best pool if you are hoping for a custom shape.  

For more great information on pools and pool care please check out our site. For professional pool maintenance in Lake Havasu City please contact us any time.  
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Using a Swimming Pool Chiller to Keep Cool

5/15/2020

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An over-heated pool is more than just a bummer when you are trying to cool down on a hot summer day. Pool water that is too warm is a maintenance nightmare and is a favored home of bacteria and algae. One way pool owners keep their pool cool is with a pool water chiller.  ​

Here is a closer look at what pool chillers are and how they can be beneficial to your pool during the summer.  



​What is a Swimming Pool Chiller? 
A pool water chiller helps to cool down the temperature of the pool water by pulling the excess heat out. Pool chillers come as stand alone units and also come included in some heat pump units. Heat pumps with chillers will have a reverse switch or optional chilling feature. There are many different options in a variety of sizes and prices.  

Why A Chiller is a Good Idea 
The biggest reason to purchase a chiller, of course, is for the comfort of swimmers using the pool. Nobody wants to swim in a hot pool.  

Other great reasons and benefits of investing in a pool chiller include: 
  • The efficiency of your chlorine: Chlorine is not as helpful to your pool water at higher water temperatures. The warmer the water is the more chemicals you will need to use in your pool.  
  • Less Algae: Algae loves warm water. Lowering the pool temperature will greatly help to slow algae growth.  
  • Less evaporation: Pool water is always going to evaporate, but colder water evaporates much more slowly.  
Do You NEED a Pool Chiller?  
If you are constantly battling high water temperatures in your pool, have heat-related maintenance issues like constant recurring algae blooms, live in an area prone to extreme heat, or the pool is in direct sunlight all day a pool chiller is definitely worth considering. Is it needed? There might be others ways to fix  these issues, but a chiller requires the least amount of labor.  

How Much Do Pool Chillers Cost?  
This will depend on a few factors of your pool including the size, as well as if you choose a stand-alone model or combo heat pump and chiller. The best way to ensure you are purchasing the right pool chiller within your budget is to talk to a pool maintenance professional.  

Other Ways to Beat the Heat in Your Pool 
If you are not quite sure about investing in a pool chiller some other options to help cool down your pool include:  
  • Water Features: waterfalls and fountains are pretty and fun, but they aren’t just for decoration. They help to keep the water moving which in turn keeps the pool temperature down a bit.  
  • Air Flow: Let the air flow around the surface of the pool. Take down anything that could be blocking a nice summer breeze from reaching the water. Keep in mind though, this will up the evaporation rate.  
  • Pull the Cover- covers are awesome at keeping gunk out of the pool and reducing evaporation, but they also trap in heat.  
For more pool maintenance care and tips feel free to check out our website. For pool care in Lake Havasu City contact us anytime.  
 

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Ways to Make a Pool More Energy Efficient

4/28/2020

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Going energy efficient with your pool is highly beneficial for many reasons. Read on and find out why it is a good idea to have an energy efficient pool and how you can make your pool more energy efficient.  
 
Good Reasons for Energy Efficiency 

Reduces Costs 
Energy efficiency is simply reducing energy consumption. When you use less energy to power your pool this saves you money, because your energy bill is dependent upon how much energy you consume. Installing energy efficient pool equipment that uses less energy will cost more up front, but it pays for itself in reduced bills and then continues to save money over the life of the machine.  
Save Water and the Need for More Chemicals 
With the right equipment you can keep more water in your pool instead of it evaporating out. About 95% of a pool’s heat loss is due to water evaporation. By using energy efficient measures to keep the water in the pool, you are reducing the need to fill the pool, heat the pool, and even add more chemicals to the pool. All of these things have many benefits and the big one comes back around to point one, it all saves money.  
Tax Incentives and Rebates 
Some states offer tax incentives and rebates to homeowners that use energy saving appliances. Do a search for your specific state and even county and town to find out the incentives and rebates of using environmentally friendly equipment in your home.  

 
Steps to Create an Energy Efficient Pool  

Prevent Evaporation- When asked what you would guess would be the largest use of energy in owning a pool your answer probably wouldn’t be water evaporation. Evaporation is in fact the largest cause of energy use in a pool. The U.S. Department of Energy has found that water evaporation accounts for 70% of total energy loss in both outdoor and indoor pools. As the water evaporates so does the heat . Every gallon of water that evaporates from the pool takes 8,500 BTUs with it. The average pool loses about 1 to 1 ½ inches of water every week.  

Get an Efficient Pump, Heater, and Filter- Installing a variable speed pool pump is a significant way to make your pool energy efficient. This type of pump will slow down the speed of the pump motor making your pump more eco-friendly and also quieter. Installing an efficient heater to regulate BTUS and a big enough filter to ensure the pump isn’t working overtime all go hand in hand with the variable speed pump to keep things working in harmony and doing the energy saving job you want them to do.  

Install Windbreaks- If you have an outdoor pool, it is a good idea to check into how windbreaks may benefit your particular set up. Even mild winds that seem to be barley there can affect your evaporation rates. Just a 7mph wind can increase consumption a whopping 300%. If you install windbreaks they should be tall enough and close enough to limit air movement at the water’s surface. Walls, screens, solid fencing, and fencing with plant cover are all great forms of windbreaks. 
Solar Technology- A great way to save on energy is to get some for free straight from the sun. Solar powered heaters and covers absorb energy from the sun to help heat the pool. Solar heaters can help during the day while solar covers do the work when the pool is covered at night.  
 
Other Ways to Make Your Pool Energy Efficient 
  • Use a Darker Finish: darker colored pool finishes absorb sun rays and help to heat the pool. 
  • Lower the Thermostat: If you only use your pool a few days a week, for example: only on the weekends, reduce the thermostat settings by 8-10 degrees when not in use.  
  • Turn off the Heater or Heat Pump While Gone: if you are going on a trip for a significant amount of time and the pool is going to sit unused, turn off the heater or heat pump to save energy.  
  • Reduce Pump Speed: A slower pump reduces power usage. 
  • Run the Filtration in Non-Peak Hours: running your pump when energy demand (amount of energy being used by everyone in an area) is lower will cost less. The hours between 8pm and 10am are generally the best.  
  • Keep Intake Grates Clean: Clogged and dirty drains require the pump to work harder.  
  • Pool Timers: The timer itself will not save money, but the timer helping you to manage pump and filter usage will.  
 
For more information on pool care and maintenance please browse our site. For pool maintenance in Lake Havasu City please call us anytime to make an appointment.  
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Best Way to Use Pool Conditioner

1/23/2020

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There are many components that go into caring for a pool to keep it healthy and ready for swimming. Part of this is putting in the right chemicals in the right amounts to have balanced water. Let’s look at one of these important chemicals, pool conditioner.  
 
What is Pool Conditioner? 
Also referred to Cyanuric Acid and Pool Stabilizer, Pool Conditioner is a chemical compound known as triazine. It contains three nitrogen atoms and three carbon atoms. This chemical compound stabilizes the pool and helps keep the water clean longer.  
 
How Does Pool Conditioner Work? 
Chlorine in your pool water burns off with time while working to sanitize it. Chlorine can also  dissipate in the UV rays of the sun. Pool Conditioner helps to protect the chlorine from burn off due to sun exposure. Without pool conditioner chlorine can burn off completely from your pool water in as little as two hours! 
 
How to Add Conditioner to a Pool 
The process of adding pool conditioner to pool water is not a super difficult one, but it is one that requires careful attention and exact following of instructions. Pool conditioner takes days, not minutes or a few hours to dissolve like many other pool chemicals do. Pool conditioner will also expand a little once it enters the pool water and this causes it to require a little bit different application process.  
 
Here are the steps to adding pool conditioner to your pool water: 
  • First determine exactly how much pool conditioner you need to put in the pool. Your target is to be between 30 and 50 parts per million or between 80 and 100 parts per million. The conditioner levels can be tested with a home test kit purchased at a pool supply store.  
  • Shut the filtration system off 
  • Remove the skimmer and filter basket from the pool filtration system. The basket will slow the flow of conditioner to the filter  
  • Replace any lids you needed to remove to get the baskets out of the filtration system 
  • Turn the filtration system back on 
  • Grab a bucket and fill it with your pool water 
  • Add the necessary amount of pool conditioner to the bucket of pool water and mix it into a slurry 
  • Add the slurry pool conditioner mixture into the skimmer just a little at a time. You can add more in small amounts when the conditioner you just added has disappeared into the water. Continue this slow adding in small increments until the entire bucket of conditioner mixture has been added into the pool. This slow and methodic way of adding in the conditioner allows for it to get stuck in the filter where it will safely dissolve into the main pool water and keep from staining the pool.  
  • Run the pool pump for one hour after adding the conditioner 
  • Replace the baskets in the filtration system 
  • Run your filtration system for at least 8 hours the first night to ensure the conditioner is completely dissolved 
  • Refrain from backwashing and cleaning the filter for at least 48 hours after adding conditioner, you don’t want to remove any conditioner before it has a chance to dissolve 
  • Test your water 7 days after adding conditioner to make sure it is in the correct range. ​

For more information and help with at home pool care and maintenance in Lake Havasu City please browse our website and/or contact us anytime.  

Time to burn those holidays calories in the pool!
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Calculating Pool Pump Run Time

12/20/2019

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Every pool has a pool pump, the big question is: How long should I run my pool pump? The pump can be one of the largest energy consumers in your home, especially in peak season. So you don’t want to run your pump longer than you need to. Let’s look at why the pool pump is important and then how to calculate how long to run the pump for your particular pool.  ​

What the Pool Pump Does 
Understanding what the pool pump does for your pool and how it is important will help you to understand why/how long you need to run the pump. A pool pump is akin to a heart, it circulates water out of and back into the pool. As it circulates or pumps the water it distributes water balancing chemicals and filters the water. It is recommended that the pool water is completely turned over (all of the water is fully circulated) at least once throughout the course of the day. Full circulation helps to ensure that your pool water stays clean and clear as the chemicals get evenly distributed. Not having a full circulation is high risk for unbalanced water and algae growth leading to unsafe swimming conditions and pool surface damage.  

Calculating Pool Pump Run Time 
To get to the calculation of how long to run your pool pump you must find the volume of your pool and the turnover rate of your pump first.  

  • Finding the Volume of Your Pool 
You need to know how many gallons of water are in the pool to help determine your pump run time. To find the volume of your pool:  
For Square and Rectangle Single-Depth Pools: Multiply the length, width, and depth by 7.5 (length x width x depth x 7.5= volume) 
For Square and Rectangle Pools with Varied Depths: First determine the average depth then multiply the length, width, and average depth by 7.5 (length x width x average depth x 7.5= volume) 
For Round Pools: Multiply 3.14, the radius of the pool squared (radius x radius), and the average depth by 7.5 (3.14 x radius squared x average depth x 7.5= volume) 

  • Finding the Turnover Rate 
Once you know your pool’s volume, you can then find the turnover rate. To do this you want to find the gallons per minute (GPM). Here is how you calculate it.  

First divide the total pool volume by 8 to get the gallons per hour 
Next take the gallons per hour and divide it by 60 to get the gallons per minute 

  • Finding the Pool Pump Run Time 
Now that you have the volume and gallons per minute (turnover rate) you can find out how long you should be running your pool pump every day.  

First you can either take the turnover rate (GPM) and multiply it by 60 to get the GPH or  if you remember the GPH from earlier calculations you can just plug it into step two 

Next divide the total volume of the pool by the GPH to get the total run time of your pool pump.  

Example: 20,000 gallon pool with a 40 GPM turnover 
40 x 60= 24000 gallons per hour (GPH) 
20,000/ 24,000= 8.3 hours or the hours per day the pump should be run  

Now you are all set to run your pool pump for the proper amount of time to help keep your pool water balanced. For more pool care help and tips please browse our website or contact us anytime.  
 
 
 
 
 
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Burn Off Those Holiday Calories in Your Swimming Pool

11/21/2019

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The Holiday season is here and so are all of those delicious treats and rich decadent celebratory foods we love to eat this time of year. Why not help burn off some of those extra calories and have fun doing it by getting out in your swimming pool?  ​

There are many reasons why using your pool is a great way to stay in shape. Here are just a few: 

  • Swimming is a Low Impact Exercise 
Unlike other popular forms of exercise, such as running, swimming is very  easy on your joints. Swimming is an ideal form of exercise for anyone with joint issues like arthritis, inflammation, or recovering from an injury.  

  • Swimming is a Great Whole-Body Workout 
It may not seem like it, but when you swim you are working the entire body both upper and lower as well as core. For a  nice whole-body challenge to help speed up getting into shape try starting with a warm up like a lap or two of easy slow paced swimming then work  up to a lap of faster swimming with a more difficult stroke, rest for 30 seconds then do another few laps of higher energy strokes like butterfly and  finish off with a few slower cool down laps.  

  • Swimming Burns a lot of Calories 
The actual calories you burn in a workout is dependent upon your personal factors of weight, gender, body type, age, metabolism, and other things. The actual amount of calories burned during swimming will also change with the length of time you swim and how hard the stroke you do is, along with the speed you swim. All that being said you can burn a lot of calories by swimming. For example the average 155 pound person can burn 233 calories an hour at a normal pace, 372 calories an hour at a vigorous pace, and 409 calories an hour doing the breast stroke.  

  • Swimming is Both Cardio and Strength Training 
Swimming is of course great cardio work that strengthens the heart and the rest of the cardiovascular system, but it is also great resistance work that strengthens a number of muscles. Though water doesn’t  seem super tough to move through, it is 780 times denser than air, so swimming is like running but with weight constantly pulling at you.   

  • Water is a Mood Booster 
All types of exercise have the ability to boost our mood, but in addition to the mood boosting adrenaline swimming can boost mental health as well. Since the time of Hippocrates, hydrotherapy has been recommended to sooth stress and anxiety. You will be surprised at how rejuvenating even a quick swim in your own backyard pool can be. We can all use a little less stress during the holidays.  

  • You can do More than Just Swim in the Pool to Burn Calories 
Maybe you are not in the mood to do laps today, that’s okay there are many other  water activities you can do that are fun and will have you forget you are even exercising. Some of these activities include sports like volleyball and water polo, you can work in some water aerobics, or even get out he paddleboard and do some pool yoga.  

If you plan to spend more time burning off those holiday calories and enjoying your pool, you will want to make sure the water is balanced and clean.  Spend more time enjoying your pool and less time cleaning it by hiring a pool maintenance professional. For pool care in Lake Havasu City contact the team at EverClear Pool.  

Burn Off Those Holiday Calories in Your Swimming Pool

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That Strong Chlorine Smell Might be a Red Flag

10/22/2019

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Generally, when we are around a pool and we smell chlorine thick in the air, we don’t think anything of it. We think that pools use large amounts of chlorine to keep the water clean and free of germs and that the stronger chlorine smell is a sure sign that the water is in fact clean.  

A strong chlorine smell is actually an indicator that there is something off with the chemical balance and/or cleanliness of the pool. A pool should actually not carry a chlorine smell at all. This odor is actually not caused by chlorine, but by chloramines.  

A chloramine is formed with an over-abundance of ammonia containing things in the pool including perspiration, body oils, and urine from swimmers. These chloramines are formed when ammonia from bodily fluids reacts with hypochlorous acid in the water and reduces the amount of free available chlorine in the water. This reduces the effectiveness of chlorine to kill germs in the pool.  

How to Reduce Chloramines in the Pool 
The best way to keep the pool water from getting out of balance and taking in that chlorine smell is to shower before entering the pool. A quick rinse in the locker room, at the showers next to a pool, or in your bathroom at home will do wonders to reduce the amount of body oils that enter the pool. Additionally, if you have little ones in the pool have them use the restroom frequently. ​

How to Determine if a Pool is Truly Clean for Swimming 
 
The easiest way to do a quick test of the cleanliness of pool water without a testing strip is to use the “SENSE-ABLE” Swimming Check List.  
 
  • Sight: Is the pool water a bright blue and clear enough to see to the bottom? You should be able to see the drain in the deepest part of the pool with no problem when you are standing on the pool deck. If you can’t don’t go swimming.  
  • Touch: Take a quick feel of the pool wall just below the water line. If the wall feels at all slimy at the water line the water is dirty, do not go in. 
  • Smell: If there is a strong chemical smell of any kind, the pool water is in need of treatment and you do not want to swim in it.  
  • Listen: If you can hear the pool filter working that is a good sign.  
 
Treating a Pool with a Strong Chlorine Smell 
A pool with a strong chlorine smell is lacking in free available chlorines and therefore needs to be super-chlorinated or given a shock treatment. This is the practice of adding extra chlorine to the water to destroy the ammonia and other organic compounds causing the odor. If you need help doing this in your pool it is a good idea to call in a pool care professional. 
 
For pool maintenance in Lake Havasu City contact the team at My Everclear Pool.  
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    Don Reinhard has been a Havasu City resident for several years and loves the sun and warmth of this area. He has brought both of these together being in the pool industry. Call him today for quotes on pool and spa maintenance and service.

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