Certain items on the list below are essential to keep on hand, such as pool shock chemicals, which are used to sanitize contaminated water. Others, such as stain removers, may not be necessary for every pool owner. You should consult with a pool care and maintenance expert, like the pool service technicians at Latham Pool Products, to determine which chemical products are right for your swimming pool needs. With that in mind, here are a few common pool chemicals you might want to learn about:
- Algaecides: Algaecides can help prevent algae from growing on pool surfaces.
- Alkalinity Increasers: Sodium bicarbonate, better known as baking soda, will boost your pool’s alkalinity levels while reducing the water’s acidity. We’ll talk more about alkalinity (and how to adjust it) in the section on balancing your pool.
- Calcium Hardness Increasers: Like the name implies, these chemicals are designed to raise your pool’s level of calcium hardness. Consider using a calcium hardness increaser, such as calcium chloride, if your measurements drop below 150 parts per million (ppm).
- Chlorine Neutralizers: According to the CDC, excessive chlorine can irritate your skin, eyes and lungs. It can also corrode pool equipment, potentially leading to costly damage. Chlorine neutralizers reduce the level of free chlorine in the water, helping pool owners avoid these problems.
- Filter Cleaners: Keep your pool filters clean and functional by using filter cleaners as necessary. These products break down oil, grime, and other obstructions.
- pH Adjusters: As we’ll explain a little later, you can raise or lower your pool’s pH levels by adding appropriate measurements of sodium carbonate (soda ash), sodium bisulphate (dry acid) or muriatic acid, depending on your needs.
- Phosphate Removers: Phosphate removers destroy phosphates, depriving algae of a critical food source.
- Pool Shock Chemicals
- Chlorine-Based Pool Shock: This category includes cal hypo and di-chlor. Unlike cal hypo, di-chlor is stabilized with cyanuric acid (CYA), which helps protect chlorine against the sun.
- Chlorine-Free Pool Shock: This category includes oxidizers like potassium monopersulfate, which helps sanitize pool water by preventing chloramines (combined chlorine) from forming.
Tile and Vinyl Cleaners: If you own a tile or vinyl liner swimming pool, you may want to look into cleaners to help maintain that day-one shine.