How do I balance my pool water?

In order to properly balance your pool you need to find out what levels your pool tests at. There are multiple tools to test pool water, including liquid, titration kits, or test strips. Ensure your results are within ranges:

• Total Available Chlorine (TAC): 1-4 PPM, within 0.2 PPM of FAC

• Free Available Chlorine (FAC): 1-4 parts per million (PPM)

• Bromine: 2-8 PPM

• pH: 7.4-7.6

• Total Alkalinity (TA): 80-120 PPM

• Calcium Hardness (CH): 200-400 PPM

• Cyanuric Acid (CYA): 30-100 PPM (80-100 PPM for salt pools)

• Total Dissolved Solids (TDS): Less than 2500 PPM

• Phosphates: 0 PPM

• Salt: 2700-3400 PPM

If your results are not within those ranges, you’ll need to work on rebalancing your pool. The majority of water chemistry can be fine tuned and managed with water balancing pool chemicals. pH, Sanitizers, and total alkalinity will need to be adjusted most frequently, and those chemicals. Metals and phosphates can also be managed and removed with specialty products provided by your pool service maintenance provide (that’s what we do). For high levels of calcium hardness, total dissolved solids, cyanuric acid, and salt, it’s best to manage the water so they dont cause issues with your pool finish, irritate your skin or cause other issues. The better solution is usually to partially drain the pool and add pure, fresh water to dilute those levels.