middleportal.com – Total hardness refers to the concentration of dissolved calcium and magnesium minerals in your pool water. These minerals play a vital role in several key functions:
Prevents Corrosion: Adequate calcium hardness acts as a protective barrier for your pool’s plaster, liner, and metal components. Low calcium levels, often referred to as soft water, can lead to etching, scaling, and even rust.
Maintains Balanced Water Chemistry: Calcium hardness interacts directly with other essential water balance factors like pH and alkalinity. Ensuring proper hardness helps maintain a stable chemical environment for optimal pool health.
Improves Clarity and Swimmer Comfort: Balanced hardness contributes to clear, sparkling pool water by aiding in proper filtration and reducing cloudiness. Additionally, it can enhance swimmer comfort by preventing skin and eye irritation sometimes associated with soft water.
The Ideal Range: Keeping Your Pool in Balance
The recommended range for total hardness in swimming pools is generally between 175-225 parts per million (ppm). It’s important to test your pool’s water regularly, ideally once a month, to monitor these levels. Pool supply stores offer easy-to-use test kits for this purpose.
Consequences of Low Hardness: If your test results indicate a calcium hardness level below 175 ppm, it’s time to take action.
Metal Corrosion: Unprotected metal components like ladders, handrails, and pool heaters are susceptible to rust and deterioration.
Surface Damage: The plaster or liner in your pool can become etched or develop unsightly scaling.
Cloudy Water: Difficulty in maintaining clear water due to inefficient filtration and potential algae growth.
Swimmer Discomfort: Soft water can irritate skin and eyes, especially for those with sensitive conditions.
Consequences of High Hardness: While maintaining adequate hardness is crucial, excessively high levels (above 225 ppm) can also pose problems:
Calcium Buildup: Excessive calcium can lead to scale formation on pool surfaces, equipment, and even inside pipes.
Clogged Filters: Calcium buildup can clog your pool filter, reducing its efficiency and requiring more frequent cleaning.
Eye Irritation: Very high hardness levels can irritate swimmers’ eyes, particularly in saltwater pools.
Taking Action: Raising Your Pool’s Total Hardness
If your pool’s total hardness falls below the ideal range, here’s a step-by-step guide to raising it effectively:
1. Test Your Water: Before adding any chemicals, it’s vital to understand your pool’s current state. Use a reliable test kit to measure your pool’s total hardness level. Knowing the exact number will help you determine the appropriate amount of calcium chloride to add.
2. Choose Your Weapon: Calcium Chloride The most common and effective method for increasing total hardness is by adding calcium chloride (CaCl2). This readily available chemical is readily available in granular or flaky form at most pool supply stores. Remember, calcium chloride generates heat upon contact with water, so handle it with caution and wear protective gloves and eyewear.
3. Adding Calcium Chloride: There are two primary methods for adding calcium chloride to your pool:
Broadcast Method: With the pump running, slowly broadcast the recommended amount of calcium chloride directly onto the pool’s surface. Ensure even distribution around the entire pool.
Dissolution Method: Dissolve the required amount of calcium chloride in a bucket of pool water first. Stir until completely dissolved before slowly pouring the solution around the pool’s perimeter.
4. Incremental Approach is Key: It’s crucial to avoid overcorrecting. Instead of adding all the recommended calcium chloride at once, follow a measured approach:
Add only one-third of the recommended dosage at a time. Run the pool filter continuously for at least 24 hours after each application. Retest your pool’s total hardness level after six hours.
5. Following Instructions and Utilizing Resources: Always carefully follow the specific instructions on the calcium chloride product you purchase. Product dosages may vary depending on the brand and concentration. For enhanced accuracy, consider utilizing pool water analysis apps or online tools offered by pool supply stores. These resources can provide customized treatment plans based on your pool’s size and current water chemistry.
