by the Pool Service & Repair Experts at GL Pools
You’ve likely heard of swimming pool automation, but did you know you can also automate your chemicals? When it comes to pool maintenance, GL Pools a San Diego pool service company makes it easy to automate chemicals with regularly scheduled service which includes swimming pool chemical automation. Swimming pool maintenance is undeniably essential for the health and integrity of your pool. And because many of us don’t have all the time in the world to focus on maintaining and cleaning our pools, having a pool service technician maintain the quality and levels of your pool’s water, takes maintenance completely out of your hands.
But what is pool chemical automation? And how does it benefit pool owners looking to simplify pool maintenance responsibilities? As you are likely aware, pools need chemicals for various reasons. From the level of pH to alkalinity, hardness, and the presence of microbes – a pool without chemicals not only looks unpleasant, but it’s a literal breeding ground for viruses, bacteria, and various parasites. If you have a pool and would rather not deal with these worries, chemical automation via a weekly pool service might be for you. Let’s discuss exactly how chemical automation works both manually and with an automation system.
What is Pool Chemical Automation?
Simply put, chemical automation is a basic task performed by the professionals. Taking the time to not only monitor but also modify the pH and sanitizing levels of your pool, dosing chemicals as needed to always maintain a high quality of water. As you can see, these chemical automation services take the guesswork out of maintaining your pool’s water levels and significantly lessens your involvement. During a regularly scheduled pool service visit a pool’s chemical levels will be tested, this includes testing pH and alkalinity levels, and if necessary pool algae treatment so your pool is both safe and clean.
What About Chemical Pool Maintenance In-Between Services?
So, what’s the deal with automatic chemical dosing systems for swimming pools? Are they even necessary if you’re set with regularly scheduled service visits? First, chemical automation systems are made up of chemical generators, chem feeders, pumps, and flow sensors that work to monitor chemical levels and dose chemicals as needed. Second, while regularly scheduled maintenance is great, a pool chemical automation system provides safe levels and a clean environment in-between pool service visits. As you can see, a system that manages your chemical levels can be highly beneficial – especially if you’re someone with an incredibly busy schedule. While consistent chemical balance is an unbeatable attribute in terms of pool maintenance, these finicky little systems also have their drawbacks, for example:
- Pool chemical automation systems sometimes cannot feed fast enough to maintain high use pools – ultimately causing a lockout
- The system itself can be costly to install
- Systems require regular maintenance from professionals
Swimming Pool Chemical Automation and Chlorine
If you elect to use a pool chemical automation system with a focus on chlorine effectivity, your system will display ORP. ORP or oxidation-reduction potential is the value used to determine the amount of disinfectant that should be automatically dispersed into the pool. This occurs either through a salt cell or a chemical feeder, feeding sodium hypochlorite or chlorine directly into your pool water. When the pH goes high your ORP goes low – and vice versa. Because every pool is different, each one will have a different ORP. And the more a pool is used, the higher the ORP level should be. Additionally, it also depends on how much is used for disinfection.
When it comes to acid and controlling pH in your pool, popular systems like the IPS Controller and Intellichem feed muriatic acid from either a “rol-a-chem” or acid bucket as is needed. And no matter what system you choose to go with, it will ultimately utilize a sensor in your pool to both sense and dispense the appropriate amount of acid to balance pH levels. Finally, keep in mind that when you choose to install a pool chemical automation system, they do require regular attention. For instance:
- Sensors require routine cleaning to ensure chemicals are properly dispensed. Otherwise, the sensors can fail and cause a system lockout – ultimately disrupting the necessary chemical feeding process
- Set points for feeding need adjusting according to the temperature and time of year
GL Pools Swimming Pool Maintenance and Chemical Automation
If you have a swimming pool, then you’re already familiar with the number of responsibilities and regular maintenance required to keep it in tip-top shape. Ultimately, it is by no means a minimal effort type thing. And should you choose to neglect pool maintenance duties for one reason or another, you could find yourself unable to enjoy it on those hot summer days.
Luckily, GL Pools is there to help pool owners in the San Diego area with reliable pool chemical automation services. Whether you wish to let us handle your chemicals or you’d prefer a pool chemical automation device for the periods in-between our visits, don’t hesitate to contact us today. Our talented professionals are more than happy to speak with you regarding your options!