Pool Chemicals

Keeping water clear and balanced can be tricky without a grounding in the basics of pool chemistry. Here, we dig into the fundamentals, explore salt chlorine generators and share how you can overcome common problems along the way.

 

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Keeping pool chemical sales away from big box stores

People are still buying pool chemicals to maintain their pools, but they're more susceptible than ever to the cost-savings promises of online retailers and discount merchants. Read what other retailers say about the trend.

Explaining Chlorine Demand To Customers Requires Simple Approach

Pool chemistry is complicated. So how should pros explain it to their customers? Here are a few strategies.

The Case of the Mysterious Pool Deposits

Why did this resort pool suddenly develop large, white deposits? Service Que Hales was called to investigate, and here, we learn the details of the case.

Is Superchlorinating The Best Way To Eliminate Chloramines?

If you're CPO certified, you know superchlorination is the way to treat a buildup of combined chlorine. But is it always the best way?

Should borates be the first chemical added to the pool?

The manufacturers of a borate buffering system explain why borates, though less carbon than carbonates, may make a better choice for maintaining pH.

Know what's in fill water before it enters the pool

As summer nears, it's time to refill the pool. But be careful — knowing what's going in the pool with the water is a matter of sound pool care.

Keeping pool water balanced is one of the keys to reducing chemical usage

While chemicals are seen as "anti-green," there are green measures you can take to minimize their impact. Here's just a few.

An Artisan's Approach to Water Chemistry

Maintaining superior water quality requires knowledge, skill and an enlightened perspective, says veteran builder and servicer Steve Kenny. Read more about his philosophy here.

Avoiding stains in salt chlorine pools

One flaw of salt chlorine generators: staining. Here we explore how that staining occurs and what you can do to prevent it.

Dollars in the Water

Changing the way you present your chemical services can boost your profits.

Until the Colors Fade

​Why do pools with black or blue plaster sometimes lose their color?

The Science of Starving Algae

Phosphate removers are increasingly popular as a way to fight algae. But how do they work, exactly?

Sanitizing Choices

With the drought ravaging the Southwest, it's costlier than ever for pool owners to drain and fill their pools. We take a closer look at the practice and one product that claims to help.

New Thinking: Chlorine/Cyanuric Acid In Balance

There's a powerful argument to be made for rethinking one of the most fundamental aspects of water treatment: the relationship between chlorine and cyanuric acid.

Why Chemical Pods Have Staying Power

For busy homeowners and pool and spa servicers alike, pre-packed chemical “pods” might be the wave of the future.

Bromine Generation in Hot Tubs: A Chemistry Primer

We explain why bromine can be such a great match for hot water applications.

Dealing with Pool Stains? Identify Before You Treat

Copper stains, purple haze, iron stains — we walk through the most common stain problems you’ll see on the job and explain how to fix them.

Using Air and Acid to Quickly Get Perfect pH/Alkalinity

You really can nail down pH and alkalinity using just air and muriatic acid.

Inside Chlorine's Staying Power

While water treatment options come and go, chlorine remains indispensable for many pool pros and homeowners alike.

Cal Hypo: The Facts

Some things you know — and some you don't — about the sanitizing stalwart.

pHin: Here to Stay

With a growing user base and a big partnership with Lonza, pHin is gaining momentum — and shows no signs of slowing down.

Enzymes: More than Just Nightmare Relief

Enzymes are good in crisis situations, but also for preventing everyday chemistry problems.

Chemical Basics: Cyanuric Acid

Basic facts about the chemical that preserves chlorine in outdoor pools.

How do Ionizers Work?

The APSP Recreational Water Quality Committee explains what ionizers can and can't do.

Decontamination of Spas and Wading (Kiddie) Pools

An overview of procedures for properly, and safely, decontaminating spas and wading pools.

Ozone Mixing Key to Disinfection

Ozone that is not dissolved in spa water and escapes as a gas is wasted.

Dichlor: The Sanitizing Stalwart

An introduction to one of the most trusted products in the pool industry.

Borates for the SCG

Borates are a helpful algaestat and pH buffer, especially for pools with salt chlorine generators

Source Water Provides the Baseline

If you don't know what's in your source water, you don't know what's in your pool

Cleaning Up Flooded Pools and Spas

Because there's no telling what contaminates are in floodwater.

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