• TESTING FOR HARDNESS
• HOW TO RAISE THE HARDNESS LEVEL
• PROBLEMS RESULTING FROM LOW HARDNESS LEVELS
• HOW TO LOWER THE HARDNESS LEVEL
• PROBLEMS RESULTING FROM HIGH HARDNESS LEVELS

TESTING FOR HARDNESS: There are test strips that include Hardness-these are expensive. There are also test kits that include Hardness-these are typically not too expensive. But, since Hardness only has to be tested approximately once per month, or as-needed-when you are experiencing problems with dissolved metallic parts of your pool, discoloured water, stains, or the formation of scale-you are well advised to bypass purchasing any type of Hardness tester. Rather, go visit your local pool professionals and have them test your Hardness level, as well as the rest of your chemicals, on the computer.

HOW TO RAISE THE HARDNESS LEVEL: Since Hardness only has to be tested monthly, or as needed, visit your local pool professionals and have them test your Hardness level, as well as your other chemicals, on the computer. If your Hardness reading is too low (under 150 ppm), you will need to add Calcium Chloride, which is typically packaged and sold as "Hardness Increaser," "Hardness Up," or "Hardness Plus."

Typically, by adding 1LB of Calcium Chloride per 10,000 gallons of water, you can raise the Hardness level by 10 ppm. But again, read the instructions on the label to make sure of the specified amount as well as the application procedure (diluted or broadcast).

If the low Hardness level caused your water to dissolve metallic parts of your pool (walls, floor, hand rails, ladders, light fixtures, or equipment), which very well may result in discoloured water or stains, you may need to add a Metal Sequestering Agent.

PROBLEMS RESULTING FROM LOW HARDNESS LEVELS: If the Hardness of your pool is too low, these problems will occur:

• Dissolved metallic parts of your pool (walls, floor, hand rails, ladders, light fixtures, and equipment). This could even lead to discoloured water or stains on the pool walls and floor.
• Stained and etched concrete in concrete pools.
• Stained and etched plaster in gunite or shotcrete pools.
• Stained liner in vinyl-liner pools.
• Blistering or delamination of fibreglass in fibreglass pools.
• Minimizes the effectiveness of chlorine (or its alternative).
• Foam.
• Eye and skin irritation.

If these, or any other, problems result due to low Hardness, you must raise the Hardness level immediately, using Calcium Chloride (which is typically packaged and sold as "Hardness Increaser," "Hardness Up," or "Hardness Plus").

HOW TO LOWER THE HARDNESS LEVEL: Since Hardness only has to be tested monthly, or as needed, visit your local pool professionals and have them test your Hardness level, as well as your other chemicals, on the computer. If your Hardness level is too high (over 500 ppm), you will need to drain your pool, either partially or completely. There is no chemical to lower the Hardness level. Once refilled, it is then necessary to re-attain water chemistry.

If you typically have high Hardness levels, due to the tap water in your region, you may have to add a Metal Sequestering Agent on a weekly basis in order to rid the water of the excess amounts of harsh minerals. Some pool owners who traditionally have high Hardness levels will attempt to fill the pool by first running the water through a water softener. These water softeners exchange calcium for sodium, which adds a salt by product to the water. Water softeners also often lead to water that is too soft, which causes water to be corrosive (having dissolving characteristics) and may discolor the water or stain the pool walls or floor. To rectify this problem, these pool owners will need to add large quantities of Hardness Increaser (Calcium Chloride) to raise the Hardness reading back into the ideal range. This additional chemical purchase can get expensive. Even the water softener device alone is expensive. If you usually endure high Hardness levels, it is best to fill the water without a water softener and to add a Metal Sequestering Agent in order to rid the pool water of any excess harsh minerals. Again, you may have to add the Metal Sequestering Agent on a weekly basis. And, if Hardness levels do get too high over time, it is best to drain the pool again, either partially or completely, refill the pool, regain water chemistry, and add a further dose of the Metal Sequestering Agent. Those pools that are situated in regions with high Hardness levels will have to engage in a constant battle to establish a suitable Hardness level

Some pool professionals are now recommending to those pool owners who traditionally have high Hardness levels, which lead to constant draining and refilling, to fill the majority of the pool with tap water and then to fill the remainder of the pool with water first run through a water softener. This recommendation is fairly new to the industry and has no significant documentation of lasting success. But, if you do have water problems due to traditional high Hardness levels, then go visit your local pool professionals and listen to their advice on Hardness levels in your region.

NOTE: Most regions specify 500 ppm as a maximum Hardness level. Few regions, however, allow for a maximum Hardness level closer to 950 ppm. Consult your local pool professionals to determine the maximum Hardness level in your region.

PROBLEMS RESULTING FROM HIGH HARDNESS LEVELS: If the Hardness level of your pool is high, these problems will occur:

• Cloudy water.
• Scale formation on the pool walls, floor, plumbing and equipment.
• Short filler runs and overall poor filtration - primarily due to scale that is deposited inside the plumbing, which restricts water circulation.
• Minimizes the effectiveness of chlorine (or its alternative).
• Eye and skin irritation.

If these, or any other, problems occur due to a high Hardness level, you must lower the Hardness immediately. There is no chemical to lower the Hardness level. The Hardness level can only be lowered by draining the pool, either partially or completely. You may even need to add a Metal Sequestering Agent to rid the pool water of excess harsh minerals.

 
Sola Products - www.solaaqua.co.uk