Picture this. You religiously and fastidiously get your pool water checked by your local hardware store….BUT, your pool keeps going green. So you go back, again and again and it still goes green. The recommendations are the same (in varying degrees) suggesting that chemicals, plus salt are required to manage the algae in the pool.
Eventually, you decide to get a second opinion for your water test, as you can’t have a green pool all summer! This time, you choose a specialist pool shop to get the pool water tested and the salt levels results were at 13,000 ppm, despite the optimum levels for the particular chlorinator being only 6,000 ppm (more than double the required amount!).
After identifying that there was too much salt in the pool, a few weeks later, you get the same water sample tested at both the local hardware store, and the pool specialists, with differing results. One suggesting MORE salt be added, and the other identifying that the pool still had too much salt, despite a reduction in the overall salt levels to 9,400 ppm. At this stage, it can be hard to know what to do. If you’ve been continually following the instructions as initially suggested, but still getting algae in the pool, it’s time to try something different.
Too much salt means the pool chlorinator doesn’t work properly, potentially resulting in algae outbreaks, which can be challenging to remove. It can also damage the chlorinator cell, which is a costly repair bill if it goes on for too long.
The first step in resolving the issue is to reduce the salt levels in the pool, through manually dosing the pool with alternating stabilised and unstabilised chlorine, to keep the pool from going green. Once the salt levels get down to a safe level, it’s time to turn the chlorinator back on, so it can start to do it’s job again, of converting the salt to chlorine and keeping algae at bay.
With the high salt levels in the pool sometimes the only option is to drain the pool to a certain level and refill to dilute the salt content. Generally speaking, high salt can burn the cell out or alternatively the power pack and you could be up for a new chlorinator. It is highly recommended you have the chlorinator functionality tested if you’ve noticed super high salt levels.
When you choose to get a second opinion for your pool issues, be sure to choose a business that specialises in pools, that builds a relationship with you, and ensures all the right questions are asked, so you get accurate results, specific to your pool needs.
Your pool specialist should always ask you for:
- The volume of your pool. Ensure you’re communicating this in litres, so there’s no confusing about the size of the pool. You can calculate the volume by measuring the length, width and depth (which can vary across a pool).
- The target salt range for your pool chlorinator (check the details on your chlorinator before coming in store).
- What type of pool surface your pool is made of.
- If you use chlorine, what type of chlorine you usually use.
- How often your pool is used and whether it’s surrounded by any gardens/trees etc.
- Whether there are currently any observed issues with the pool, such as cloudiness, the ‘feeling’ of the water, calcium buildups or any current or previous algae breakouts.
If you’re unhappy with your pool water, it makes sense to get a second opinion for water testing. It’s a significant investment for your home and especially during summer, it’s so sad when a pool can’t be used!
Come and see our team at Pacific Pines or Burleigh Heads, knowing we will have state-of-the-art testing systems, a team of dedicated pool specialists and an honest attitude to getting the best results for your pool.