"Over the years I just put a few chlorine tablets in the pool, I've never had any issues."
What form of sanitizer do you use?
0%Liquid Chlorine
0%Chlorine Tablets
0%Cal-hypo
0%Dichlor Chlorine shock
You can vote for more than one answer.
"The greatest victory is that which requires no battle." - The Art of War
The enemy is coming for your pool. They are lurking in every crack and crevice, in every corner, patiently waiting and watching. You may not be able to see them, but rest assured, they are there.
For many of us, a refreshing dip in a swimming pool is the perfect way to beat the summer heat. Many pool owners turn to Chlorine tablets or Chlorine shock as the main sanitize for their pool. However, few homeowners are aware of a hidden threat lurking in their pool water as a result of overusing chlorine tablets & some forms of chlorine shock – cyanuric acid. While this chemical compound plays a crucial role in protecting chlorine from sunlight degradation, maintaining its levels within a proper range is essential to ensure a safe and healthy swimming environment. In this blog post, we will delve into the details of why high cyanuric acid levels can pose significant dangers to residential swimming pools and their occupants.
The Function of Cyanuric Acid:
Cyanuric acid, often referred to as "pool stabilizer","pool conditioner" or just "CYA," is commonly added to outdoor swimming pools to shield chlorine molecules from the degrading effects of ultraviolet (UV) rays. By forming a protective bond with chlorine, cyanuric acid prolongs its disinfecting abilities, reducing the need for frequent chlorine additions. In the right concentration, CYA can be beneficial and even necessary for maintaining water sanitation and preventing excessive chlorine loss. However, the key lies in striking the delicate balance.
High Cyanuric Acid Levels: Aiding The Enemy
When cyanuric acid levels become excessive, which is typically above 100 ppm (parts per million), it can lead to a series of adverse consequences. We all know that we need to maintain a level of free chlorine in the pool to prevent the growth of algae, however at high CYA levels, the bond between CYA and chlorine becomes too strong, rendering the chlorine molecules less effective in disinfecting the pool water. The CYA essential locks the chlorine in place, not allowing it to freely sanitize the water. This can result in bacteria and algae growth, enemies to water, posing health risks to swimmers. For this reason we need to keep the free chlorine level at 7.5% of the CYA level.
For example, let's say you have a 20,000 gallon pool. To raise the free chlorine level to 2.5 ppm you will need to add half a gallon of chlorine. But let's say you have a CYA level of 100 ppm in your pool, you would then need to maintain a free chlorine level of 7.5 ppm. You would need to add 3x the amount of chlorine, so 1.5 gallons. But don't forget, you will be losing at least 1 ppm of free chlorine a day just from UV degradation, just for fun let's say you also go swimming twice a week, an hour each time. In this situation you may lose up to 9 ppm of free chlorine, within a week! How many gallons of liquid chlorine will you need to properly sanitize your pool? 3.30 gallons! At $9.50 a gallon, that brings your weekly chlorine cost up to $31.35!
Irritant Effects on Swimmers:
In addition to the risks posed by inadequate water sanitation, high cyanuric acid levels can also cause physical discomfort for swimmers. Prolonged exposure to elevated cyanuric acid can lead to skin and eye irritation, which may deter individuals from using the pool altogether.
Addressing the Issue:
To ensure the safety of your residential swimming pool, regular monitoring of cyanuric acid levels is vital. Pool owners & pool service technicians should aim to maintain cyanuric acid concentrations within the recommended range of 30 to 50 ppm. Dilution methods, such as partial water replacement, are effective in reducing cyanuric acid levels when they become too high. Evaporation does not reduce CYA levels. Thats such an important sentence I am going to type it again. Evaporation DOES NOT reduce CYA levels. In fact with less water in the pool due to evaporation, CYA levels would be even more concentrated. Adding water would only dilute the CYA to levels they were before evaporation. Replacing the water via a full or partial dilution is extremely effective. Other options are available such as reverse osmosis and using a bacteria that will eat the CYA. But in my experience, dilution is the ideal method.
Conclusion:
Homeowners must be aware of the potential dangers associated with using chlorine tablets and some forms of chlorine shock due to the high cyanuric acid levels they contain (up to 60%). Striking the right balance between cyanuric acid and chlorine is crucial for maintaining water quality and ensuring the safety of swimmers. By staying informed and following proper water maintenance practices, we can all enjoy a refreshing and enemy-free swim in our backyard oasis.
Summer should be a time for swimming, not struggling to fix your pool. You shouldn't have to fret about whether your pool is adequately sanitized or if the enemy has already infiltrated it. I can't guarantee that the enemy isn't lurking in your pool; they're always present. However, what I can guarantee is their ultimate defeat.
The enemy is relentless in its pursuit of your pool; will you allow it to seize control?
Win the war without fighting the battle. Be proactive.