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There are a number of ways that you can spot a dirty pool. The most obvious things to look for are algae and cloudy water. Slimy tiles can be an indication of the presence of algae. Water that causes eyes to sting or that has strong odors are also indicators.
If you ask most people what makes their eyes sting in the swimming pool, they will incorrectly inform you that it is the chlorine. The smell that you notice is actually a combination of chlorine and organic waste. When chlorine combines with organic waste, it forms chloramines. Urine, perspiration, algae, skin lotions and body oils are the main causes of the foul odor found in many swimming pools.
Aside from the smell, chloramines affect your swimming pool water quality in another way that is no less significant. They waste your chlorine. When your chlorine mixes with organic compounds in your swimming pool, it is no longer able to disinfect your water. Organic compounds will reduce the amount of available chlorine in your swimming pool because the chlorine will be wasted in the production of chloramines.
Cleaning Your Swimming Pool
 If you are attempting to get your water back into optimal condition, the first thing to think about is how you are going to remove the organic compounds that create chloramines.
There are a few ways to deal with the problem. One way is by substantially increasing the amount of chlorine that you use when you shock your pool. In some cases, it is necessary to use as much as ten or twenty times as much chlorine as you would regularly use in a single treatment. This will have the effect of "burning off" the organic wastes that are contaminating your pool. With the organic wastes destroyed, you can go back to smaller weekly doses in order to keep your water quality in check.
The trouble with massive doses of chlorine is that it is expensive and analagous to hitting a nail with a sledgehammer. You can keep your pool clean with chlorine alone but this can get to be quite expensive. Using enzymes to target the organic waste is an alternative solution that has become increasingly popular in recent years. Enzymes have proved to be very effective in reducing the amount of chlorine that is needed in swimming pools.
Reducing Chlorine Usage
If you want to be able to cut back on your chlorine usage, then you need to allow a reduced amount of chlorine to act more effectively. The chlorine needs to be able to perform the function of sanitizing your swimming pool without interference from organic compounds. In order to make that happen, the organic compounds need to be eliminated by other means.
Certain enzymes are able to break down organic waste very effectively. Enzymes are not a substitute for chlorine but rather a perfect accompaniment. Enzyme products can substantially reduce the amount of chlorine that you need to use because they eliminate the contaminants (TDS) that cause your chlorine to form chloramines. Essentially, you are offloading a task that chlorine performs to the enzymes which work more effectively. By doing this, your chlorine is then free to do what it is supposed to do: disinfect your pool and keep it free of dangerous pathogens.
Continue to Part 2 >>
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