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Swimming Pool Chemicals | Spa Chemicals | Hot Tub Chemicals |
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| Swimming pool chemicals by Tim Scale floating in your hot tub can be a frustrating problem to solve. Scale builds in the pipes and then slowly breaks apart and comes out your jets. Symptoms are typically small and large chunks of square beige colored particles floating in your hot tub. Hot tub filters catch some of the scale but because much of it is large it doesn't make it in the filters. The larger scale pieces sink back into the jets only to return when you next run the hot tub jets. Scale buildup is usually due to periods of high PH levels in your hot tub. Scale can also appear if you miss the once per week application of a scale defense spa chemical. Draining your hot tub may reduce the scale but usually hot tub owners are disappointed when the scale returns after they refill the hot tub. How to get rid of scale floating in your hot tub? The key to reducing the floating scale in your hot tub is to stop relying on the hot tub to filter the scale. It is also necessary to begin a regular application of a spa chemical scale protector or scale defense. This will prevent additional buildup of new scale while you get rid of the old scale floating in your hot tub. Now remember I said the scale sinks down to the floor and comes back out when you run the jets. This is to your advantage because you can make the scale come up to the top, and filter it out with a swimming pool net. Spend 30 minutes a week running the jets on high for 15 seconds. Then kill the jets and run the net across the top of the hot tub water. Shake out your net with each sweep. Then after a few passes run the jets and re sweep the scale out of your hot tub. You'll notice an immediate improvement in the level of scale floating in the hot tub. The key here is to do this many times to catch the scale before it can fall back into your jets. Rinse out your filters more often as well so you can get the smaller scale particles out of your hot tub. There is a spa chemical called System Flush that you use just before training your tub. I imagine it is a fairly harsh spa chemical that breaks scale from the inside of the spa jets. You then must flush out the chemical. This may take a few time draining and filling with rescreening in between. The key as well is to keep PH in the proper range so scale doesn't continue to build. |
| Pool Chemicals by Tim POOL CHEMICALS There are many chemicals used to balance, sanitize, and clean the water in swimming pools (including hot tubs and spas). The following describes the principal chemical products used to maintain pools. Pool water is most comfortable when it is maintained at a pH between 7.2-7.6. The pH scale runs from 1 to 14, where 1-6.9 is acidic, 7 is neutral, and 7.1-14 is alkaline. The pH is controlled by adding either acid or alkali products. An acid, either muriatic acid (also known as hydrochloric acid) or sodium bisulphate, is added to lower the pH. To raise the pH, an alkali, sodium carbonate (also called soda ash) is added. Pools use sanitizing chemicals to remove algae, harmful bacteria, dirt, germs, and organic matter carried into the pool on people's bodies and by the wind. These chemicals oxidize organic matter. Most typically a chlorine product is used to sanitize the pool. Either a liquid or dry product is added; liquid chlorine is usually a 10-15% solution of sodium hypochlorite and dry chlorine is usually calcium hypochlorite. A stabilizer is added to these products to reduce the quantity of chlorine dissipated by the sun. Occasionally, algae will not be controlled by the chlorine sanitizer. A shock treatment of a large amount of chlorine (superchlorination) or a cationic detergent may be added to the water to kill the algae. Many of these pool chemicals are corrosive and are hazardous to human health through skin contact splashed into the eye. Many of these chemicals, including different types of chlorine, can react violently when mixed to produce toxic gases, fire, or explode. Use: Pool chemicals are often in concentrated form and should be handled with thought and care. Carefully read and follow the instructions and warnings on the label of each product. Clearly label the product with the date of purchase. Never mix various pool chemicals together. Use separate and clean scoops for each product: Always add the chemical to the water. Never add water to dry or concentrated chemicals. When adding liquid chlorine into the pool, pour it as far from the pool edge as possible so it will disperse quickly into the water. Pool chemicals should always be added to the pool water separately and according to the time specifications of the directions. Pour chemicals gently into the pool, trying not to splash. Add chemicals while the filter pump is running to aid in rapid dispersal throughout the pool. Do not add chemicals while people are swimming and do not allow swimming again until the chemicals have dispersed for the specified amount of time. Mixing different chlorine products can cause severe reactions or explosions, so if you change brands of solid chlorine, be sure to rinse the dispenser or basket to remove any residue. Do not handle pool chemicals with bare hands or them on eyes, skin, or clothing. Wear protective gloves and safety goggles. Wash hands and all exposed skin after handling chemicals. Do not handle chemicals near sources of ignition as some are flammable. Do not smoke while handling chemicals. Storage: Keep away from children and pet. Close chemical containers tightly. Store them in a clean, dry, and well-ventilated area. Keep liquid and dry chemicals separate. Do not stack pool chemicals. Store pool chemicals away from flammable materials and sources of sparks. Do not store them near metal tools or mechanisms since pool chemicals can cause corrosion. Disposal: The very best way to dispose of these chemicals is to use them up or give them to someone who will. Some suggested places to donate your unwanted pool chemicals are the YMCA, schools, or the park system. If you cannot find an outlet for your chemicals and if you can store them appropriately, secure and hold the chemicals for a professional hazardous waste collection program or give to a licensed hazardous waste handler for disposal. If you cannot find someone to use the unwanted chemicals and you cannot safely store them, flush small quantities down a drain connected to a sewer system with plenty of water. Contact your local wastewater treatment plant to determine if pool chemicals can be flushed into the sanitary sewer system. Be sure to wear protective gloves and safety goggles while doing this. Do not put pool chemicals down the drain if you use a septic tank or lagoon. |
