Preventing stains and algae
Non-oxidized organic material in pools builds up overtime resulting in chlorine demand. This debris expels tannins onto pool surfaces, which leads to staining. Treating organic stains usually involves a simple super chlorination procedure, but organic stains can often be avoided all together via regular water testing, sanitation, and oxidation. Chlorine demand also opens the door for algae blooms. Bacteria flourish in a sanitizer free environment, which not only leaves bathers unprotected, but also allows algae to proliferate. Algaecide test kits are available and should be used to help prevent algae blooms. Applying an algaecide helps chlorine and other sanitizers eliminate algae, while quat algaecide test kits provide the necessary information to keep quat levels up and pools algae free. Regular water testing also helps to prevent inorganic stains. These stains result from oxidation of metals or rapid changes in water balance. Both occurrences force metals out of solution. Once forced out of the water, copper, iron, and other metals either stay suspended in the water causing discolouration, or drop out entirely onto pool surfaces. Metals make their way into pools in several ways. For example, non-chelated or weakly sequestered copper algaecides contribute potential stain causing metal to pool water. Metals are also often present in well water. In addition, water left out of balance for too long corrodes metal equipment such as pump impellers and heat, which also leads to staining. Water tests alert pool professionals of the presence of metals so the appropriate treatment can be applied. Sequestrants, filter aids, and acidic filter cleaners painlessly remove metals from recreational water, but if the water has not been tested, how would one know that it needs to be treated? Because metals can have a clandestine presence in pools, testing is paramount to keeping a liner or plaster surface stain free. Pool and spa professionals who test for copper, iron, and manganese perform an invaluable service for their customers. With regular testing of pool and source water, metals can either be sequestered or removed before they are able to cause any problems, thus saving the customer valuable time and money.
Ward off other surface issues
If out of balance water does not eat away the pipes or pump impeller, it may cause vinyl liner wrinkling or etching of plaster surfaces. Both of which can be expensive to fix, and at the very least, are esthetically displeasing.
Etching occurs when acidic water is present or if water is allowed to be too acidic during the curing process. Liner wrinkling is common as well. Acidic or corrosive water will pull elasticizers out of a liner and cause permanent damage to the surface. Similarly, calcium can be pulled out of a plaster finish, making it brittle and forming cracks. Even temporary periods of water being too acidic can lead to micro etching, which will affect the longevity of the plaster. Taking a water sample will ensure pH stays in the recommended range of 7.4 to 7.6. Not only will regular testing help maintain the pH in the appropriate range, but also the total alkalinity and calcium hardness levels, which prevents the pool water from becoming corrosive as well. Keeping total alkalinity in the proper range will help keep the pH stable, and if there is enough calcium in the water there is less need for it to pull material from outside sources such as a vinyl liner or plaster wall.
The parallels of maintenance
Protecting bathers, prolonging the life of pool surfaces and equipment, and creating the ideal swimming experience are the main objectives of recreational water maintenance. The parallels between the goals of swimming pool maintenance, personal health, and the upkeep of an automobile can be easily drawn. Routine physicals and blood work performed by a doctor help to prevent major illness; regular maintenance, oil changes, and diagnostics keep an automobile operating at peak performance and thwart costly repairs; and pool/spa water tests provide a complete diagnostics so problems that are not apparent to the naked eye can be discovered and eradicated before they lead to larger complications. Further, testing also helps keep water enjoyable and safe for bathers. When used as part of regular maintenance, water testing provides pool owners and operators the information necessary to achieve the primary objectives of pool and spa care. 
Claudio Azurmendi is a product development chemist BioLab Inc., a Chemtura Company. He received his bachelor of science in chemistry from Georgia State University and joined BioLab in 2009 as a customer care technical solutions specialist. He moved over to technical services in 2010, then to the product development group in 2013. He can be reached via e-mail at claudio.azurmendi@chemtura.com
