Swimming pools are a great way to spend time with your family and friends while also taking a break from the stressors of daily life. They can also be used as a means of recreation and fitness, helping people maintain a healthy lifestyle. The water in swimming pools is always refreshing, clean, and good for you. This is why so many people are flocking to have pools built in their backyards.
However, with all the good things about swimming pools, there is one significant drawback that most people don’t discuss: chlorination. Chlorination is necessary even if you have treated the water inside your pool with an antibacterial cleaner. Chlorine is good for you, but it doesn’t mix well with most pool cleaners or disinfectants. This is why you need to add it manually once or twice a week.
Fortunately, adding chlorine to your pool is a pretty simple process. You just need to have the right equipment and know what concentration to use. You can also save money by combining the processes of adding chlorine with emptying and cleaning your pool. Consider the following steps to add granular chlorine to your pool:
Table of Contents
Equipment Needed
The first and most significant piece of equipment that you will need is a water pump. The larger the capacity the better, as this will help you circulate the water in your pool more effectively. Some people also recommend using an air pump with the water pump, as this will help eliminate any bubbles that may form in the water as a result of friction during circulation. An air pump is also useful for breaking down proteins and oils that may have settled at the bottom of your pool.
Next, you will need a chlorine dispenser. This is an appliance that connects to your pool’s water source via a pipe and then releases the chlorine gas into the water. Make sure that you buy a residential-use chlorine dispenser, as these are designed for home use and are less expensive than those intended for commercial use. You should also buy a spare tube just in case the one that came with the unit breaks or runs out of gas.
Chlorine Dosage
The amount of chlorine gas that you get from a pool dispenser depends on your pool’s size and frequency of use. Smaller pools and those that aren’t used very often require less chlorine per week than large pools and those that are frequently cleaned. For reference, one pound of chlorine will neutralize half a gallon of pool water. Another important factor that determines the appropriate chlorine dosage is the amount of time the water has been standing in your pool. The longer the water has been standing, the more harmful algae and bacteria that will bloom in the pool. For this reason, it’s best to add more chlorine every three months or so rather than every week or fortnight.
Adding The Chlorine
Once you have your water pump and chlorine dispenser, all you need to do to add the chlorine is connect the two devices together and then turn them on. Be sure to replace any exposed metal parts that may come in contact with the water with non-corrosive material. You may then start observing the immediate results of your efforts as the chlorine spreads through the water and starts breaking down all the bacteria and algae that were growing in the pool. In case your pool water is already at the correct concentration, you should wait about ten minutes for the chlorine to dissolve completely before proceeding with the next step.
Cleaning Up
Now that your pool is back to its original sparkling cleanliness, you need to clean it again to remove any traces of chemicals and dirt that may have accumulated during use. For this, you can use a pool vacuum with some bagged filtration material or another similar cleaning product to scrub the surface of your pool. Always follow the instructions that come with whatever product you choose to use, as they may differ from one brand to another.
To conclude, adding granular chlorine to your pool is a simple process that most people can manage on their own. Chlorine is good for you and your family, providing all-natural nutrients that support a healthy lifestyle while also helping to protect you from some of the many diseases that thrive in unclean water. If this is something that interests you, then there are a few simple steps that you can follow to get started.