Alkalinity - What's Happening in Your Pool

With the start of the opening season for swimming pool this year, I have decided to commit to a challenge: the Blogging from A to Z Challenge.

Essentially, I have agreed to write a blog post each day this month (April 2016), with the exception of Sundays, each day corresponding to a letter of the Alphabet. 

Not only is this going to be a great way for me to stay in touch with you on a regular - DAILY - basis, but it has also given me the nudge I needed to start addressing some common questions we get about swimming pools and liquid pool covers...and some that don't even necessarily relate to liquid pool covers!

Because products like Heatsavr and Ecosavr are still not entirely understood by the average pool owner, we get a lot of questions. Questions about how to use them properly, how they interact with the rest of the pool routine, what they can actually accomplish. And sometimes pool owners experience difficulties with their pool and wonder if it has anything to do with using our products. This series will help answer a LOT of those questions!

Today, we are starting with A for Alkalinity.

The picture above was shared by a happy Ecosavr customer, and I share it with you today because it illustrates an average backyard pool. The water is clear and beautiful and, even though you can't tell, it's also protected by a liquid pool cover!

Another thing you can't always tell from just looking at a pool is whether or not it is balanced properly. 

The pH of your pool says a lot about the overall health of your water. Chlorine works with best efficiency - keeping your pool sanitized - at a pH level of between 7.2 and 7.6. If your level is lower, it is considered "too acidic" and if it is higher it is considered "too basic."

Alkaline compounds, such as soda ash or sodium hydroxide, help to raise the pH of your pools water. High pH can lead to the growth of algae because bactericides will not work as effectively.

Total alkalinity is somewhat different, though very closely related - it is the measure of alkaline compounds within your water. According to PoolandSpa.com, "​total alkalinity is a measure of the water's ability to neutralize acid (called the water's buffering capacity), and keep your pH level within the proper range. This is why you test and adjust your total alkalinity before even touching your pH test kit."

In regards to our liquid pool covers, Heatsavr and Ecosavr are pH neutral. This means that you can add them to your pool water without any change whatsoever to your pH. This makes it a nice and easy addition to your pool routine!

There are a few things to keep in mind, however. If your water is too basic, or alkaline, as previously mentioned, this could lead to algae growth. If you start using a liquid pool cover and your water starts to warm up, this creates an environment that algae enjoys, and you may experience higher growth than you would like. 

It is important to note that Heatsavr is not the cause - using a liquid pool cover will not cause algae growth in a pool with properly balanced water.

We've also had some customers come to use with their concerns about cloudy water, scale formation or irritation from the water. These are all signs of high alkalinity have nothing to do with Heatsavr. Which is great news - all you have to do is get your water properly balanced again and you can enjoy your pool fully, with all the added benefits of warmer water, less water loss, and lower energy bills!