Clean & Easy

Pool and spa water care, done well, should require as much concentration and expertise as washing your hair or brushing your teeth (so, hopefully, not much). You should be able to get the products you need, establish a routine, follow the routine, and enjoy the clean, healthy results.

The most important thing to remember before devising a water care plan is that not all pool and spa water care products are compatible with each other. Mixing incompatible elements can have dangerous consequences, so read labels carefully and ask your retailer if you are at all unsure about what to use.

There are several water care products that you simply pour or sprinkle into your water. Using them couldn’t be easier. The difference is the main ingredient of the primary sanitizer. Some brands use chlorine, others feature bromine, and some use “something else,” which is most often biguanide. This chemical is labeled an alternative simply because it contains neither chlorine nor bromine.

Chlorine and bromine systems offer the most flexibility in that almost everything on the market for pools and spas is compatible with them. The biguanide-based systems, which are sold under several trade names, are typically sold as a set. You need to use the supporting products (usually a shock, which is a chemical that oxidizes water impurities to remove them, and a clarifier) that come with the primary sanitizer—don’t mix and match. When used properly, these systems can give you softer water than chlorine-based programs. Biguanide programs have historically been more expensive, but the rising cost of chlorine and more competition in the biguanide market have minimized the cost differences.

No matter which primary sanitizer you select, the key to successful water care lies in establishing a routine preventative maintenance schedule. A basic program should include a sanitizer, a shock (either non-chlorine or chlorine), an all-purpose algicide, balancing products (which have names like “pH down” and “alkalinity increaser”), and test strips or a basic liquid test kit. Some choose to add clarifiers and sequestering agents, which help filters do their job by clumping particles so they can be caught or vacuumed easily; stain and scale prevention products; and enzyme formulas that break down oils before they form scum rings. Many suppliers offer kits containing all or most of these items, and some retailers assemble their own; both make it easy for consumers to get the right products and produce clean, clear water at home.

If contemplating keeping track of several products in a kit makes your head spin, don't worry. Manufacturers are developing multitasking pool and spa water care products aimed at reducing the number of steps in the process, saving time and money. Ultimately, what makes a water care program successful is your ability to stick with it—these products work only if you use them regularly and properly. Thankfully, both traditional and alternative programs give every pool and spa owner that opportunity.

5 Things to Know Before You Buy

Chlorine Still Reigns. Though there are a number of effective chlorine alternatives on the market, most pools still use traditional chlorine—either as the sole sanitizer and oxidizer, or combined with a supplemental sanitizer.

Great Water is More than Clean. Sanitizing is only one part of water care. You also need to shock, maintain water balance, clarify, and fight algae.

Don’t Fall Behind. Routine preventative maintenance is a lot easier than clearing up a green or cloudy pool.

Go Beyond Traditional Products. Mood-enhancing fragrances and other products can augment your pool or spa experience—just add them while doing maintenance.

Get Help. Water care can throw the best pool owners curveballs. Locate a nearby expert who can test your water and recommend solutions to any problems that may arise.

Photo courtesy of Downes Pools.