When you own a pool, keeping the water clean and the chemicals balances is a never-ending challenge. Even a small amount of debris in your pool can affect the water’s pH and the types of bacteria that are swimming around in there. If you don’t detect and handle imbalances promptly, they’ll only get worse.
At Royal Pool & Spa, we’re here to help. Whether you opt for DIY cleaning and maintenance or you’re on a professional pool maintenance schedule, it’s always good to know what’s going on with your pool. Below, we’ve listed the most common hazards that lurk in pool water and how you can address them to get your pool back on track.
Algae
If if you can’t see them readily, there may be algae spores lurking in your pool that can irritate swimmers’ skin and eyes. Since these spores are virtually everywhere, even a slight breeze can blow them into your pool. Once there, they will immediately begin to multiply if the pH of the water isn’t quite right.
If anyone who uses your pool has noticed the following symptoms after swimming, algae may be the culprit:
● Itchy skin
● Red, rash-like appearance on the skin
● Eye irritation
● Throat irritation
● Headaches
To remedy an algae issue, you’ll need to test the water to get an idea of where the pH and chlorine levels are at. From there, you’ll need to add the appropriate chemicals to sanitize and rebalance the water. Once the water is at the appropriate pH, the algae will gradually die off as it cannot live or reproduce in properly sanitized and balanced pool water.
If you’re unsure how to handle an algae bloom in your pool, again, it’s in your best interest to bring in a swimming pool maintenance specialist to correct the problem. Once your water is rebalanced, it’s best to stay on a routine pool maintenance schedule to keep the water properly sanitized and at the appropriate pH.
Bacteria and Chloramines
If humans are swimming in your pool, you can bet there’s some degree of human waste (and bacteria) in the water. According to the CDC, most pools contain at least a small amount of human waste (urine, feces, and sweat), and that’s true even when no one is using the pool as a substitute for a toilet.
Researchers have found that in the average residential pool, there’s about a shot glass worth of urine. If you have kids who swim in your pool and they haven’t quite learned how to control their bladders, your water probably contains more. But, regardless of the amount of human waste that’s mixed in with your pool water, when chlorine interacts with the bacteria in that waste, it creates compounds called chloramines.
These compounds can be potentially hazardous and they often irritate skin and mucous membranes. Common symptoms of chloramine exposure include:
● Red, burning eyes
● Itchy or red skin
● Respiratory irritation
If you or anyone who swims in your pool develops these symptoms, it typically means the pH of the water is unbalanced or chlorine levels aren’t quite right. You can attempt to rebalance the water yourself, but doing so can be challenging, especially if you’ve never dealt with this type of issue before. For best results, bring in a swimming pool maintenance expert who can get your pH and chemicals back on track in a matter of days.
Need Swimming Pool Maintenance in White Bear Lake? Contact Royal Pool & Spa
Worried your pool has a bacteria or algae issue? Let our team at Royal Pool & Spa take care of it for you! We specialize in swimming pool maintenance and once we get your water back on track, we can put you on a regular maintenance schedule to ensure your pool remains clean and safe to swim in. If you’re ever in need of pool repair services, we can handle that too!
To get started, give us a call today at 651-779-7606 or send us a message with any questions or concerns, and we’ll be in touch.