How Should You Sanitize Your Pool?

It’s officially September, but one of the best things about living in North Carolina is that we get to enjoy outdoor swimming for an extended period of time! With the weather looking fairly warm for the next several weeks, there is still plenty of time to enjoy your backyard oasis.

One essential part of keeping your pool in tip-top shape during swimming season is water sanitization. Sanitizers help to kill bacteria and prevent the growth of algae. There are several different methods of pool sanitization, each with pros and cons. This guide to a few of the most common methods can help you decide which is best for you.

Chlorine

When chlorine is added to water, it breaks down into different chemicals, eliminating bacteria from the water. Using chlorine as a sanitizer is cost-effective, and is one of the most widely used sanitization methods.

Pros: 

• Available in many forms, such as liquid, tablets, etc.
• Is a residual sanitizer, meaning that it continues working long after it is added to the water.

Cons:

• May cause irritated eyes or skin.
• Has an undesirable smell.

Salt Sanitizer

Salt sanitizing systems extract chlorine from salt you add to your pool, releasing the chlorine as a gas that disinfects your water. The system works on a continuous cycle to keep your water clean.

Pros:

• Does not have the irritating effects or smell of traditional chlorine.
• Helps to produce neutral pH levels in the water.

Cons:

• The total system has a high upfront cost and the salt cell, which can run several hundred dollars, must be replaced every few years.
• Salt is corrosive and can cause damage to pool equipment, stonework and handrails over time.

Ozone Purification

Ozone is a naturally occurring substance that works as a stabilizer to kill bacteria, mold and more. When ozone is mixed into water, it breaks down contaminants, resulting in a clean swimming environment.

Pros:

• More powerful than chlorine, but does not irritate swimmers and does not cause damage to pool equipment.
• Purifies water very quickly keeps your pool sparkling.

Cons:

• Has a short lifespan and can require small amounts of chlorine to be used along with it for optimal results.
• Requires the use of UV bulbs that need to be replaced every couple years.

We’d love to help you decide which sanitization method will work best for you. Stop by any of our stores or give us a call to learn more about different types of sanitization and the benefits of each one.