If you have a pool installation in Montgomery County scheduled for this summer, you’ve probably been spending plenty of time reading up on how to take care of your home’s new addition. One of the most important parts of keeping your pool clean and safe is chlorinating the water. But what exactly is chlorine — and why do we add it to pools?
Chlorine is a naturally occurring chemical element. Chlorine is a component of many substances, including table salt. To produce chlorine, companies create a brine by combining table salt with water. Then, they run an electrical current through the mixture using a process called “electrolysis.” This process separates the chlorine from the other components of the table salt.
Why do we add chlorine to swimming pools? Chlorine is added to swimming pools to help kill off germs. When you add chlorine to your swimming pool, the combination creates a weak acid called “hypochlorous acid.” When created using the right ratios, hypochlorous acid isn’t typically powerful enough to harm humans, but it does effectively kill off bacteria like salmonella and E. coli. This type of acid is also able to kill off viruses like those that cause diarrhea and swimmer’s ear.
Chlorinating your pool properly is very important when it comes to swimming safely. While forgetting the chlorinate your pool increases the chances of your guests getting sick, adding too much chlorine to your pool can also create problems. When there’s too much chlorine in a pool, your skin and eyes can quickly become red and irritated. An overabundance of chlorine can also trigger asthma and lung irritation over time. As a general rule, you can tell that your pool is over-chlorinated if it has a chemical-like odor. A pool that’s properly treated shouldn’t smell like chlorine.
Are you thinking about adding a new swimming pool to your property? Anthony Landscapes’ swimming pool contractors in Bucks County can help you create the perfect water feature for your space. Give our team a call today at 215-876-3111 to learn more and get started today!