As a pool owner, having balanced pool water should be one of your top priorities. Water balance directly contributes to how your pool looks and feels, but more importantly, it affects the overall safety of your pool. With the right plan of action, you can ensure your pool stays balanced year-round.

What Happens When Your Pool Water Balance is Off?

You can usually tell when your pool’s water balance is off:

• The water is cloudy or green.
• The “chlorine smell” is strong (this usually means there’s too little chlorine in the pool — contrary to popular belief).
• The water feels thick or slimy.

IIf your pool water chemistry is imbalanced, it may also be unsafe to swim in. Pools can contain a variety of microbiological organisms, including viruses and bacteria. When left untreated, some of these bacteria can cause health issues.

Maintaining balanced pool water is the best way to ensure your pool is healthy, clean and safe.

The Benefits of Balanced Pool Water

The health benefits of balanced pool water are paramount, but there are other advantages to maintaining water balance, too:

• Prevents bacteria and algae growth
• Ensures beautiful, clear pool water
• Creates a comfortable swimming environment
• Protects your pool from corrosion and equipment damage

How to Maintain Pool Water Balance

Achieving and sustaining balance involves four key steps:

• Test Regularly: Monitor pH, total alkalinity, calcium hardness and sanitizer levels at least once a week.
• Adjust Chemistry: Use the correct dosage of pH increaser/decreaser, alkalinity buffers, calcium hardness increasers and sanitizers according to test results.
• Incorporate Mineral Sanitizers: Products like the Nature2® Mineral Sanitizer use natural minerals to help control algae and bacteria with fewer traditional chemicals.
• Taylor Technologies’ Test Kits and Strips: Use Taylor’s pool and spa water test kits at least once a week to accurately monitor pH, total alkalinity, calcium hardness, and sanitizer levels—so you can confidently adjust chemicals and keep your pool in perfect balance.

Achieving Balanced Pool Water is Possible

Luckily, with the right technology and ongoing monitoring, maintaining balanced pool water is a pretty straightforward task. Talk to your pool professional about adding minerals and other technologies to help maintain water balance.