When it comes to keeping your swimming pool safe and clean, chlorine is an important component to your cleaning routine. The problem is that most homeowners are reluctant to use chlorine because of the side effects. When in water, chlorine can cause skin burning and irritation. It has also been reported to cause eye burns and damage to the throat when digested. Yet these side effects are most common because homeowners do not use chlorine properly. If used correctly, chlorine is very useful for pool cleaning in Alpharetta.
The Importance of Chlorine
Chlorine is not exclusive to swimming pools. It’s actually found in common home cleaners and in the water you use from your sinks. Chlorine contains a chemical composition that helps kill bacteria and algae. Whenever chlorine is combined with water, it breaks down into hypochlorous acid and hypochlorite acid. These chemicals help destroy, or oxidize, bacteria, and other dangerous microorganisms to make water safer for personal use. Chlorine is very important in making the water you use on a regular basis safe for your daily needs.
How Does Chlorine Make your Pool Clean?
When chlorine breaks down into hypochlorous acid and hypochlorite acid, they influence the pool’s pH balance. If the pH balance is too high, this means the chlorine content in the pool is too low. As a result, poor chlorine levels slow down the pool cleaning process. The ideal, or safest, pH balance for pool water is between 7.0 and 8.0. The ideal level being around 7.4. Once hypochlorous acid and hypochlorite acid finish cleaning the pool water, they break down into single atoms. They can also be combined with ammonia to make the chlorine harmless. Sunlight speeds up the cleaning process and decreases the time it takes for the chlorine to break down.
How to Use Chlorine Safely
It’s common for swimming pools to have a higher concentration of chlorine in the water. This means that you shouldn’t drink the water in a swimming pool to avoid nasty side effects. When used properly, chlorine in water won’t cause you any harm when it makes contact with your skin or eyes. It’s also important to use the right proportion of chlorine to the number of gallons of water the pool contains. The composition should be around 0.00013 ounces per gallon of water. Use a chlorine test strip to determine when chlorine levels are too high or too low. It’s also recommended that you use chlorine tablets instead of liquid or powder chlorine when cleaning your pool. Liquid and powder chlorine have nasty smells that can make being near your pool unpleasant and cause respiratory damage. If you’re unsure about putting in the chlorine yourself, contact your local pool service contractor to help you.