Adjust for salt chlorine generators
Salt chlorine generators remain one of the most popular additions to pools. These devices also help to reduce chlorine consumption simply by generating chlorine on-site using salt. However, to ensure pool owners understand the full extent of this equipment, it is important to educate consumers their salt chlorine generators will not solve all their water maintenance needs, and that this equipment has its own specific maintenance requirements that should be followed.
Inherent in the way salt chlorine generators work are side effects that can adversely impact the successful operation and appearance of the pool—namely corrosion and scale. To overcome these side effects, many service professionals are turning to borates as these add an anti-corrosion effect that fights against rust on equipment, accessories, and fixtures around the pool.
Calcium scale is also compounded by high pH, so having borates in the water will also keep the levels from creeping upward to help prevent scaling. Borates are added to the water once a year and pair nicely with salt chlorine generators to help maintain balanced water.
Remove phosphates
Removing phosphates and maintaining proper levels can be very beneficial as it will improve the overall quality of the water. In many cases, high levels of phosphates can cause calcium phosphate scale, which forms when phosphates in the water fuse together with calcium. The carbonate often falls out of solution and can feel ‘gritty’ to the touch. It tends to build up on salt generator cells and heat exchangers.
When it comes to calcium phosphate scale, prevention is the best solution. If a pool already has the scale, techs should remove it and then do a phosphate treatment to reduce the likelihood of reoccurrence. Maintaining a phosphate residual of less than 125 parts per
billion (ppb) is the key to preventing phosphate-related issues. Removing phosphates helps limit the formation
of calcium phosphate and ensures
the efficient operation of chlorine generators which, in turn, ensures optimal chlorine generation.
Oxidize with non-chlorine shock
In keeping with the goal of reducing the use of chlorine, routinely oxidizing pool water with a non-chlorine shock can be beneficial to controlling contaminants so chlorine works more effectively. Disinfection—also referred to as sanitizing—is the effective killing of germs. Oxidation is the destruction of non-living waste materials like skin, urea, and hair follicles.
Chlorine demand is much higher when organic contaminants are present. Therefore, it takes longer to remove demand and create an effective free-chlorine residual. This is also why oxidizing with a non-chlorinated shock is so important.
Non-chlorine oxidizers can scour and destroy more contaminants in the water than chlorine shock. That said, service techs must keep in mind that after chlorine has effectively done its job to sanitize, it will react with excess contaminants present in pool water.
Because non-chlorine shock does not contain chlorines, it will not combine with chlorine to create unwanted disinfection byproducts—such as combined chlorine or chloramines. The odour from combined chlorine or chloramines is carcinogenic and causes eye and lung irritation. Airborne chloramines can also cause severe lung and asthma-type symptoms, while in the water chloramines are absorbed through the skin and can also cause other health issues.
Bather load and time spent in the water can lead to a higher demand and more sanitizer consumption. So, it is important for service techs to regularly oxidize this non-organic waste to free up chlorine to sanitize.
