"Preventive Maintenance," is testing the pool water daily and brushing the pool walls and floor at least three times a day for the first ten days. Thereafter, brush at least three times a week and after each dust storm. Pool water maintenance can be easy once you have learned and established a program for routinely caring for your pool.

Proper testing and care insure years of pool pleasure, although neglect can cause serious problems and needless expense. Algae, stains, and scaling can be prevented. The constant control of chlorine, pH, alkalinity, and hardness are essential to the prevention of bacteria, scale, and corrosion.

Your pool will differ from your neighbors. Difference in size, water temperature, and usage make each pool unique. Do not compare your pool to your neighbors.

CHLORINE
Chlorine control is necessary for the control of bacteria and algae. Chlorine is measured on a scale .6 to 3.0. To prevent the growth of algae and bacteria, your pool water should be maintained with a reading of 1.0 in cooler months and a 1.5 reading for the hottest time of the year. The most commonly used chlorine compound is Tri-chlor jumbo tabs. Chlorine should always be added in the evening as it then has all night to kill the bacteria and algae. The daylight hours drain the pool of chlorine rapidly, not allowing it to be as effective in battling bacteria and algae. California Pools recommends shocking pool water twice monthly to maintain a minimum of 1.5 free chlorine. Unless you have a very high hardness content (over 400 PPM) we recommend shocking with liquid chlorine. Avoid using corrosive shock treatments or algaecides.

STABILIZER
The purpose of cyanuric acid is to reduce the loss of chlorine through evaporation and sunlight. The most commonly used terms for cyanuric acid are stabilizer or conditioner. Chlorine combined with cyanuric acid is referred to as stabilizer chlorine. We recommend a 25 to 40 PPM cyanuric acid reading in your pool water. The addition of cyanuric acid will cause the pH to drop. Do not confuse this with muratic or sulfuric acid which is used for controlling the pH.

ACID
"pH" control is an absolute necessity. The pool's pH is measured on a scale from 0 to 14, with the neutral point at 7. Pool water is best when maintained in a slightly base condition to prevent staining and so as not to cause excessive corrosion to the plaster surface or metal parts in the pool. A proper pH reading should be between 7.4 and 7.6. If pH adjustment is required, muriatic acid can be used to lower the pH. To raise the pH you may add soda ash, do so directly to the pool water in the deepest part of the pool. Do this away from return outlets, pool light, and skimmer. Caution: Handle all acids with the greatest care. Always add acid in the morning and never at the same time you add chlorine.

POOL ALKALINITY
Your pool water may be too high or too low in alkalinity. A low alkalinity reading can result in a build up on the plaster called "scale." Scale is seen as a hard, white formation on the plaster and at the water line on the tile. The idea alkalinity range is 90 to 120 parts per million (PPM). Alkalinity can be raised 10 PPM by adding 3# of baking soda to every 20,000 gallons of pool water. When your swimming pool is completed, our start up person will adjust the alkalinity the first time at no charge. Arizona water will change in alkalinity throughout the year. It must be adjusted after filling or even the addition of water to keep the pool at the proper level.

HARDNESS
As water evaporates and tap water is added, calcium remains and builds. The tendency of pool water is to increase in hardness (calcium and magnesium in suspension) caused by the constant evaporation of pool water. Do not attempt to lower calcium hardness without strict supervision. Acceptable readings for hardness are between 200 and 300 PPM. Hardness can be raised quickly by adding calcium directly to the pool water. Once the hardness reaches 600 PPM, however, the pool water should be drained completely and refilled. California Pools will raise the hardness at start up if lower than 200 PPM.

The two most important factors in maintaining water balance are Total Alkalinity and pH.

TOTAL ALKALINITY is the key to water balance. When the alkalinity level is low, corrosion of equipment and interior surfaces such as plaster and tile grout may occur, resulting in spot etching, roughness and streaks. It is recommended that you adjust alkalinity before adjusting the pH level of the pool. The ideal total alkalinity level of the pool is based on the type of chlorination used:

1.) Acidic -Trichlor: chlorine gas, bromine, tabs or sticks (100-120 PPM ideal)

2.) Neutral- Sodium Di-Chlor: 2 part bromine base, liquid chlorine, calcium hypochlorite, lithium hypochlorite (100 120 PPM ideal)

Ph is a value expressing the relative acidity or alkalinity of pool water. It is expressed as a number ranging from 0 to 14, with 0 being the most acidic and 14 being the most alkaline. When the pH values are low or acidic, corrosion of equipment and interior surfaces such as plaster and tile grout may occur, resulting in spot etching, roughness. High pH levels will result in the plaster absorbing whatever is present in the pool such as dust or calcium, leaving tan or brown stain on the plaster or pebble surface.

The ideal pH level is between 7.4 - 7.6 PPM.

Calcium Hardness is the amount of dissolved calcium in the water, with recommended levels ranging between 200 - 400 PPM. As pool water evaporates the calcium and other minerals in the water remain. It is not uncommon for the calcium hardness in the water to double every year due to evaporation, calcium contained in many pool chemicals, and the sometimes high calcium level contained in tap water. Frequent backwashing or partially draining and refilling the pool may possibly be required to effectively manage the calcium level. Above 600PPM is considered unmanageable possibly requiring corrective measures.

When necessary to partially drain and refill the pool due to excessive calcium: do not expose the interior finish in direct sunlight with air temperatures over 90 degrees. Exposing a white plaster pool to direct sunlight with temperatures over 90 degrees can result in cracking and popping. Temperatures under 90 degrees should be safe enough to completely drain the pool unless the existing plaster surface has experienced excessive degradation and wear. Pebble Tec pools can be drained at any time of the year.

PH, Total Alkalinity, Calcium Hardness, dissolved soils and temperature are the key factors that determine water balance. Water that is neither corrosive nor scaling but is in a state of "equilibrium", maintaining specific levels of minerals constituents is considered balanced.

When pool water is deficient in its mineral levels, it will corrode, etch of dissolve any metals, plaster or grout it contacts in an effort to balance itself. Excessive levels of minerals are relieved by releasing particles either as scale, residues, or cloudiness also in an effort to balance itself.