Everyone loves summer and enjoying time at the pool, especially since we spend so much time at home this year. However, it can be challenging to keep up with your pool when there are shortages of the chemicals and chlorine necessary for its maintenance. For instance, this summer, residential chlorine tabs are in short supply due to a plant going offline because of Hurricane Laura. With that in mind, here are some tips on how to protect your pool during a residential chlorine tab shortage and how your pool service in Riverside, CA, can help.
Research Alternatives to Chlorine
Your pool service in Riverside, CA, can offer various alternatives to help balance your pool’s water. Borates can be used to maintain a stable pH for a more extended period, thus reducing your need to get chlorine for your pool.
Also, make sure that you keep the phosphate levels below 125 parts per billion to minimize algae blooms and reduce the number of calcium phosphate formations or buildup. Enzymes can also be used weekly to break down any organic materials found in the pool, so your sanitizers can be more effective.
Typical household chlorine bleach can be used in a pinch, but the problem is making sure that you are using the right amount. Plus, you cannot use color-safe bleach because it does not include hypochlorite.
Your Riverside CA pool service can also help you with different alternatives, but you might need to add a stabilizer to make it effective. Bromine, which is chlorine’s neighbor on the periodic table, works better in higher temperatures but could be an alternative to use in a pinch. Keep in mind, if you opt for bromine, it will be more costly than your traditional residential chlorine tabs.
Keep It Clean
Another way to protect your pool during a chlorine shortage is to clean your filters regularly and use clarifiers. If you also make sure that your pool walls are frequently brushed, and the pool floor vacuumed, then you can maintain your pool successfully. Making sure that your pool service in Riverside, CA, regularly cleans your pool and filters can also help protect your pool during a chlorine shortage.
By regularly cleaning the filters as well, you have less debris and bacteria being redistributed into the pool. That can help lower the amount of chlorine necessary to keep your pool’s chemicals in balance.
Shifting to Salt-Water Alternatives
Chlorine is made through the process of electrolysis of sodium chloride solutions, and sodium chloride is table salt. However, doing this type of conversion can be costly, running into several thousand dollars or more. Working with your pool service in Riverside, CA, you can determine if a salt-water conversion is the right choice for you.
Maintaining your pool during a shortage of residential chlorine tabs can be done, but some of the alternatives might ding your budget. By working with your pool service in Riverside, CA, you can ensure that your pool is protected and still working throughout the rest of the swimming season!
Contact us today to schedule your pool’s maintenance and have our experienced team access your pool’s condition.
Mirage Pool Services specializes in pool maintenance, equipment repairs and replacement, chlorine washes, draining pools, and pool startups in the Moreno Valley and Riverside, California areas.