It is a well known fact that Sodium Chloride (NaCl) is harmful for both humans and the environment. Find out how you can replace chlorine with environmentally friendly chemicals while maintaining the same great swimming pool experience.
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Get A Free Estimate
As a homeowner, you can request for a free swimming pool inspection from the best pool contractor in town. They will come to your home and give an accurate assessment of the condition of your pool, as well as offer you a free estimate for the job. The advantage of getting an estimate is that it gives you an idea of what you will need to budget for, in terms of materials and labor costs, in order to complete the project. Getting an estimate also allows you to discuss any questions or concerns you may have about the project with the contractor, prior to starting work. The contractor will be aware of any special requests you may have, such as extra gates or fencing needed for your dog (see our Dog Friendly Pools page for more information) or an outdoor wood fire grate, needed to grill your fish.
The Main Causes Of Swimming Pool Clutter
There are several reasons why your pool may become cluttered with things like leaves and twigs. You may be using leaf vacuum cleaners, or just letting them accumulate while you go about your business. You may also be throwing in some particle accelerator or other types of chemicals to keep the pool clean. All of these items increase the chance of having leaves and twigs in your pool, which eventually leads to blockage. In very rare occasions, a pool can become so clogged that it needs to be cleaned by a professional. But most often, a simple broom and vacuum can remove most of the blockages and ensure that your pool is always clear of any debris. You should not hesitate to get these items if and when your pool inevitably becomes clogged.
Reasons Why You Need To Add Soda Ash To Your Swimming Pool
Soda ash is an incredibly amazing product when added to water. It is a highly efficient water softener that helps prevent many of the harmful effects caused by regular chlorine. Most notably, soda ash reduces the chance of swimming pool stain (caused by lime scale) and promotes quicker pool rejuvenation.
It is widely known that chlorine serves as a disinfectant in swimming pools. However, the effects of chlorine are not only limited to removing pathogens from your pool water. The chemical is also responsible for causing considerable damage to the pool’s finish, putting a huge dent in its lifespan. Most often, this damage is manifested as yellowing of the pool’s surface. In some cases, it can lead to complete staining of the pool’s decking and wall.
You need to add soda ash to your pool to combat these effects. It is a great source of calcium and its chemical makeup is perfectly safe for human contact. As a byproduct of water purification, it also helps maintain the proper balance of PH levels in your pool, preventing damage to your pool’s surface and fostering its renewal. In addition to these benefits, soda ash helps make your pool water appear clearer.
How Much Soda Ash Do I Need To Add To My Pool?
The best way to determine how much soda ash you need to add to your pool is by calculating the total amount of calcium based on the size of your pool. Smaller pools will need more frequent applications of soda ash, while large pools will preferably get covered in a single application. Calculate your total calcium needs as follows:
- Add 0.5 oz. (14 g) for every 10,000 gallons of water.
- Add 1 oz. (28 g) for every 20,000 gallons of water.
- Add 1.5 oz. (42 g) for every 30,000 gallons of water.
Once you have your total calcium needs, you can follow the chart on the next page to determine how much soda ash to add for your specific pool size.
How Often Should I Add Soda Ash To My Pool?
The amount of soda ash you add to your pool will depend on the size of your pool. For smaller pools, such as those with a capacity of less than 20,000 gallons, you will need to add it more frequently. Once every week should suffice for smaller pools, while larger pools may get covered in a single application every two weeks.
When Should I Add Soda Ash To My Pool?
The best time to add soda ash to your pool is right after you add chlorine and before you start using pool pumps all day long. This ensures that all of the benefits of the chemical are maximized while avoiding any negative side effects. If you are planning on installing an in-pool vacuum system, it would be wise to wait till after you have installed it to ensure that the pool’s surface is completely clean before starting use. This will also prevent any problems with clogging caused by leaves and twigs, which are usually drawn to the surface of the water during this time.
What If I Already Added Some Soda Ash To My Swimming Pool?
If you have already added some soda ash to your pool and are wondering what its effects are, then the following information should provide you with a decent answer:
The calcium in sodium chlorides two main functions in your pool. The first is to reduce the damaging effects of chlorine by acting as a filler, effectively shielding the water molecules in your pool from being destroyed by free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can damage your pool’s surface and even cause it to deteriorate over time. (see our article on Removing Chlorine And The Advantages It Has Over Common Salt for more information)
The second function of the calcium in sodium chlorides is to help maintain the proper PH level in your pool. PH levels in your pool need to be maintained at around 7.2 to 7.8 in order to ensure that the water is clear of any debris. When the pH level of your pool drops below this range, then your pool is officially stained and needs to be repaired or replaced. If the pH level of your pool drops below 5.5, then it will become seriously damaged and may eventually attract algae and other types of green plants. The buildup of these materials not only causes an inferior aesthetic appeal, but can also interfere with proper swimmer respiration and even lead to health issues.
Conclusion
Adding soda ash to your pool is an easy and affordable way of ensuring that your swimming experience remains pristine and without a doubt, it will help save you tons of money. Just remember to add the right amount and type of soda ash for your specific pool. Make sure to use only salt-free soda ash and store it in a cool, dark location out of the reach of kids and pets.