If you have both a spa and a swimming pool, a quick glance at the labels on your chemicals may have you wondering why you can’t use them interchangeably. After all, their contents are nearly identical. What can it hurt if you’re in a pinch and need to treat your spa but only have pool chemicals on hand?
Are pool and spa chemicals the same? The answer to this question is no. There are several reasons why the answer is no, which we will explain in this article. The consequences this will have on equipment and bathers are not worth the apparent quick fix. Here are some reasons why pool and spa chemicals are not the same and why they should be used for their intended purpose.
1. Pool And Spa Have Different Accommodating Capacity
A typical spa seats three people, whereas a swimming pool can accommodate 100 people. The amount of water each holds determines the amount of chemical dilution each requires. While the chemical components are very similar, a closer look at the ingredient list reveals that the concentrations are very different.
As a result, if you try to add pool chemicals to your spa, the water chemistry levels will become completely unpredictable. On the contrary, you can add every drop of your spa chemicals to your swimming pool, and the pH levels would likely remain unchanged.
2. Pool And Spa Have Different Recommended Temperature
A swimming pool’s recommended temperature is 85 degrees, while spas range from 90 to 104 degrees. Pools and spas face different challenges that chemicals must address due to the temperature difference. Because the steamy water in a hot tub is ideal for bacterial growth, sanitizer is an essential component of the chemical makeup required for a hot tub.
Chemical reactions occur much more quickly and vigorously at higher temperatures. As a result, adding highly concentrated swimming pool chemicals to your small hot tub is hazardous to both the bathers and the hot tub.
3. Spa Jets Cause More Stir Than Pool Jets
While both pools and hot tubs have circulation jets, hot tubs have more jets per square foot. The jets’ constant circulation of water, delivering relaxing massages, and bubbling with steam, is part of the spa experience. Pool jets also circulate the water, keeping it from becoming completely stagnant. Still, you won’t notice them unless you’re next to them.
Hot tubs quickly stir up chemicals due to the way they stir up the water. Introducing highly concentrated pool chemicals into a hot tub quickly creates a dangerous imbalance. Evaporation is also increased by the constant movement of water in hot tubs. The chemical reactions intensify as the spa loses water.
4. The Chemistry Of Pool And Spa Differs
It may be tempting to deplete your swimming pool supply throughout the year while the hot tub is still in use, but this is not recommended. To avoid dangerous chlorine and pH levels, swimming pool chemicals should not be used in a hot tub. Always test your water for calcium hardness, alkalinity, pH, and free chlorine. Maintaining proper water balance will extend the life of your pool’s mechanical components.
Conclusion
As you can see, the differences in chemical treatment between spas and swimming pools necessitate a difference in chemical treatment. If you have any questions or concerns about how to treat your pool or spa or general pool service, we are here to help.
In fact, you can cross that chore off your list by letting us handle your weekly or monthly maintenance as well as providing you excellent services on how to get your pool ready for summer in gilbert Arizona. Our custom pool designs for all budgets frequently include built-in spas or hot tubs, and we are well-versed in treatment options. PH Balanced Pool is here for all of your pool needs!
Your pool sees a lot of action in the summer. If you want to keep your pool open and ready for all of the parties you have planned, then you need to take care of it. Here are a few ways that you can keep your pool clean during the summer.
Understand Pool Chemistry
Unfortunately, cleaning your pool isn’t as simple as just tossing in some chlorine tablets whenever you want. To keep it absolutely clean, you have to understand how pool chemistry works. Unless you have a kit at home that can test the chemicals in your pool as well as its pH, this is best suited for the pool service professionals.
You can simply take a sample of your pool’s water and send it to a professional pool cleaning company. They can go over the sample and tell you what you should add to your pool over time.
It’s good to know that the pH of your pool’s water should be around 7. This is because anything higher than that will make chlorine treatments less effective.
Clean Out Filter
Your pool filter is going to do a lot of work in keeping your pool clean. However, it also needs to be cleaned out now and then. You can do this by easily removing the filter and cleaning it with a brush and hose. In some cases, it may be a good idea to toss out the old filter and put in a new one.
You’ll want to clean your filter after thunderstorms and when there’s a lot of pollen in the air. Your filter can become choked due to all of the debris clogging its system.
Check Water Level
It’s also important that the water level stays at an optimal height. If the water level is too low, then it won’t be able to reach the filter and skimmer. Keep the pool filled to just above the filter to ensure water can easily pass through it.
Inspect the Ozonator
To keep chlorine levels in your pool at a good amount, you need to ensure that your Ozonator is working properly. First, check to see if the light is on. If not, then you’re going to need professional Gilbert pool companies to repair it. If it is, then feel free to clean out any debris that might be blocking it. Ozonators help reduce chlorine waste. It’s important to keep them operating efficiently to stop your pool from becoming too chlorinated.
Maintain Chlorine Generator
Those who have salt pools have to be especially mindful of their chlorine generator. Because they’re using salt to help keep their pool water clean, it also interferes with the chlorine generator. Regularly check your water’s pH to ensure that it stays around 7. In most cases, you’ll find that you can actually taste the salt in the water. This isn’t good. Reduce the amount of salt that is being placed inside of the pool to keep your chlorine generator healthy and efficient.
Clean Out Bottom Drains
Even though you may not be using your drain for a while yet, you still need to keep it clean. Bottom drains can start to collect algae if they’re not regularly cleaned. That algae can then start to expand across the pool and turn it green if you don’t quickly clean and chlorinate the water.
Hire a Professional
The best way to keep your pool absolutely clean this summer is to hire Ph Balanced Pool. Sit back and relax while they test your pool and correct its pH for you. With their service, you can simply enjoy the pool and not worry.
There’s nothing that compares to having a swimming pool in your backyard. It makes for a true vacation at home. Your swimming pool offers a place to relax, unwind, and enjoy time with family and friends. By adding value to your home with such an exceptional backyard addition, this sort of investment requires proper care and maintenance to ensure its lasting potential and family fun.
To properly care for your pool, you will want to remember there are more extensive pool repairs, like pool resurfacing, that are required. In addition to regular Gilbert pool service maintenance, pool resurfacing helps to preserve the lifespan of your pool.
So, how often should a pool be resurfaced? What are the signs you can look for to help determine when this job needs to be done?
Well, your pool’s surface should be smooth and clean. With this in mind, you want to be sure to resurface your pool when needed. To determine how often your pool needs to be resurfaced will depend upon when it was installed and with what material it was made. Cement and plaster, for example, usually require resurfacing every three to seven years. Whereas more durable material can last as long as fifteen years before such a job is required.
There are also signs you can look for to determine if you should resurface your pool sooner than later.
For one, a worn-down surface will feel rough on the skin. This can be hazardous to swimmers causing scrapes and other discomforts. Plus, as the surface of your pool wears away it looses its beautiful appearance and becomes harder to clean because dirt and debris cling easier to the roughness of a worn-out pool surface. There are other signs you can also look for to determine how close your pool is to needing resurfacing, like mineral stains from iron and copper in your pool’s water and structuring, like plaster, beginning to chip off.
If you are having trouble deciding if it is time to resurface your pool, contact the original installer or professional to inspect your pool’s surface structure. Pool owners may not realize that this is a very important maintenance project, but the longer you wait to resurface your pool once signs arrive, increases the likelihood of cracks and leaks in your pool’s structure, which can lead to lasting damage and very expensive repairs.
Before having your pool resurfaced, there are a few things to keep in mind, though. Because resurfacing a pool is a timely process, be sure to plan to have this service done before pool season and after the winter weather, so that enough time is permitted for this project to be completed in time for summer. If you are more of a DIYer, it is good to know that resurfacing your pool is a hefty project that should be done by a professional.
Enjoying your pool for summers to come is of utmost importance.
At pH Balanced Pool Service we are committed to offering the highest level of quality service and peace of mind. As a small, family-owned business we promise to offer our customers stress-free service with our one-stop-shop for all your pool and spa needs! From tile cleaning, filter replacements, lighting, and extensive repairs, pH Balanced Pool Service is here to help you preserve your pool for years to come!
Sunburn is also known as the radiation burn. It is caused when UV rays emitting from the sun damage the DNA in the uppermost layer of the skin cells. Although the human body contains a protective pigment which is called melanin. It protects the skin from the sun for a specific time period. After a certain time, the skin starts to burn.
Generally, people with darker complexions have lower chances of burning their skin as they have more melanin to protect their skin. However, people with a very light skin complexion can easily burn their skin within five minutes staying under the scorching sun in summer.
The sun is the most powerful source of life on our planet, and minor exposure to its rays can help boost your immune system and make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. However, too much sun can result in a plethora of issues, including sunburn. And as the swim season kicks off you and your family are even more prone to the dangers of sun exposure. Thankfully, human ingenuity has created ways for all of us to enjoy the outside without receiving a sunburn every time. So, you can enjoy your summer and still return home with the fresh, healthy skin that you left with following these pool service Gilbert tips.
Sunburn Prevention
Getting sunburn is arguably the top hazard of spending too much time outdoors in warm weather. These burns are not only irritating to the touch, but they can result in blistering, peeling skin and eventually lead to skin cancer. Unprotected skin will burn in about 10-30 minutes, depending on the time of day, your skin complexion, and your location. By the time you notice your skin turning red and becoming increasingly irritable, you’re likely well on your way to being sunburnt.
There are a variety of ways to reduce your chances of too much sun exposure. For example, you could hide indoors all summer or seek safety under a shady tree, but that’s hardly the way to make the most of the summer season. Your best line of defense against a sunburn is and always will be wearing sunscreen.
Sunscreen Options
It is preferred that the sunscreen you apply is water-resistant and contains chemicals that protect you from UV rays. Don’t convince yourself that buying the highest “SPF” sunscreen is the best route, as that’s not always the case. The optimal SPF amount in sunscreen that the best pool tile cleaning Gilbert AZ recommends is between 30-50. Once you go over 50 SPF the difference becomes smaller and smaller. Sunscreen is all about how much you apply and how often you apply, not just what type of sunscreen you purchase.
What’s the Right Amount of Sunscreen?
Sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours or after gradual water contact to the skin. And be sure to apply sunscreen everywhere the sun can reach. The ears, ankles, feet, and the back of your neck are some of the most overlooked spots on the body. And if you think that you’ve applied enough sunscreen then you should still probably apply more to eliminate any concern. So, keep on slathering until your entire body is covered. After all, you can never have too much protection against the sun.
It is vital for you to have a pool put into place in your yard, you know that you will take advantage of that pool all the time. You are considering your options in regard to the shape that you will choose for that pool, and you feel drawn to those shapes that are unique. You will find that unique pool design can offer you a lot and that you can come to love such a thing.
How to Choose a Unique Pool Design?
Since adding a swimming pool is a sizable investment, it’s worth spending on customized unique pool design and getting people to talk about it.
Here’s how to choose a unique pool design:
The choice of white plaster as the pool finishing material is long gone. People should be aware of the latest trends, materials, and finishing types to choose a unique design.
There are hundreds of inspirations available both online and offline. Homeowners can research the swimming pool ideas and finalize the best design.
It’s crucial to choose an expert pool builder to execute the dream design into reality.
Moreover, a unique pool design should be customized according to the backyard design and personal preferences of the owner.
When you choose a pool design that is unique, then you will have a pool unlike any that a Gilbert pool service company have been in before. If you are looking to experience something that is new and different, you will find that choosing a design that is unique for your pool can help you with that. The right pool design will enhance the time that you spend in the pool and make it all the more fun.
If you choose to put a uniquely designed pool in place in your yard with the help of pool equipment repairs Gilbert AZ company, you will find that all of your friends and family members will talk about that pool. When you choose a pool design that is unique, you will receive attention for doing that. If you are looking to stand out and if you want to have others talk about you, then you will find that a pool with a unique design is a great choice for you.
While both pools and hot tubs have circulation jets, hot tubs have more jets per square foot. The jets’ constant circulation of water, delivering relaxing massages, and bubbling with steam, is part of the spa experience. Pool jets also circulate the water, keeping it from becoming completely stagnant. Still, you won’t notice them unless you’re next to them.
As you can see, the differences in chemical treatment between spas and swimming pools necessitate a difference in chemical treatment. If you have any questions or concerns about how to treat your pool or spa or 
Unfortunately, cleaning your pool isn’t as simple as just tossing in some chlorine tablets whenever you want. To keep it absolutely clean, you have to understand how pool chemistry works. Unless you have a kit at home that can test the chemicals in your pool as well as its pH, this is best suited for the 
To keep chlorine levels in your pool at a good amount, you need to ensure that your Ozonator is working properly. First, check to see if the light is on. If not, then you’re going to need professional 
Even though you may not be using your drain for a while yet, you still need to keep it clean. Bottom drains can start to collect algae if they’re not regularly cleaned. That algae can then start to expand across the pool and turn it green if you don’t quickly clean and chlorinate the water.
For one, a worn-down surface will feel rough on the skin. This can be hazardous to swimmers causing scrapes and other discomforts. Plus, as the surface of your pool wears away it looses its beautiful appearance and becomes harder to clean because dirt and debris cling easier to the roughness of a worn-out pool surface. There are other signs you can also look for to determine how close your pool is to needing resurfacing, like mineral stains from iron and copper in your pool’s water and structuring, like plaster, beginning to chip off.
Sunburn Prevention
What’s the Right Amount of Sunscreen?
