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With the recent news about Coronavirus (COVID-19), we have fielded several questions about the virus and swimming pools/hot tubs. Following is a statement from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control):According to the CDC, there is no evidence that COVID-19 can be spread to humans through the use of pools and hot tubs. Proper operation, maintenance, and disinfection (e.g., with chlorine and bromine) of pools and hot tubs should remove or inactivate the virus that causes COVID-19.

Motivate Me Monday!

“Home is Wherever I’m With You.”

That’s a quote I saw on my Motivate Me Monday’s linky party (check out the button below to link up!…or just to read other cute DIY projects and fun recipes to try).

The quote pretty much sums up the weekend for the Pool Refs family.

Moving homes is a wonderful experience shared by helpful friends and family.  Going through all your old things, adding and taking away treasured items to newly named rooms, picking new decor that matches your personality; all of this goes into having a new place to call home.  It’s an exciting new chapter in lives and brings new projects and added to do’s.

One of those To Do’s is what to do with your new pool.

Of course, you could just call Pool Refs if you’re a new homeowner and ask for our technician Robert to come out and give you a free 30 minute lesson on what to do with your pool equipment 😉

Or...

You could take a couple of tips from me…right here 🙂

First things first! How to read your chemical test strips. Chemicals are one of the most important things your pool has going for it. Balanced chemistry makes or breaks your pool. It takes it from green to clean, it helps stop algae build up and hard water lines.

Your pool’s chemistry is made up of five main chemicals:

  1. FC-Free Chlorine : A sanitizer which keeps your pool water safe and free of germs. Chlorine must be constantly replenished. (level depends on CYA)
  2. PH- Acidity/Alkalinity : Needs to be kept in balance to prevent irritation and protect the pool equipment. (7.5 to 7.8)
  3. TA- Total Alkalinity : Appropriate levels help keep the PH in balance. High levels can cause PH to rise. (60 to 120, sometimes higher)
  4. CH- Calcium Hardness : Appropriate levels help prevent plaster damage. High levels can cause calcium scaling. (220 to 350, vinyl lower)
  5. CYA-Cyanuric Acid : Protects chlorine from sunlight and determines the required FC level. (outdoors 30 to 50, SWG 70 to 80, indoors 0 to 20)

How to read your test strip (video coming soon!)

Using dry hand take the test strip out of the bottle.

Dip the test strip in your pool for approximately 3 seconds.

Take the strip out and you should see different colors on the strip.

Use the bottle (like the above picture) to read what level each chemical is at.

If any of the chemicals are too low or too high call your local pool guy to see what the next step should be for your pool!  Most of it is trial and error to figure out why your pool chemistry is off!

Thanks for reading and link up with the button below!