Pool FAQ's

Water Care

Is liquid chlorine or granular shock better?
Both liquid chlorine and granular chlorine are effective in sanitizing a swimming pool.  Learn more

Why does my pool have a very strong chlorine odor? Did I add too much chlorine?
Chloramines are the cause of the strong odor of chlorine. Chloramines are created by swimmer waste, perspiration, oils, and other contaminants that often enter the pool. Super-chlorinating your pool will alleviate this problem.

What is the purpose of sanitizing my pool?
Sanitizing pool water kills bacteria that can be harmful to bathers and also aids in controlling algae. You need to constantly check and maintain your sanitizer level because bacteria enter the pool continuously from many sources. BioGuard offers several chlorine/bromine based sanitizer options including our Mineral Springs® program, or explore our non-chlorine sanitizer program, SoftSwim®.

What is Free Available Chlorine?
This is the active chlorine in the water that has not combined with organic matter and is therefore available for killing bacteria and algae. The proper range for free chlorine residual is 1-3 ppm. Below 1 ppm can cause swimmer irritation, cloudy water and even allow algae to grow. You should test often throughout the summer when the pool is used most.

Why do I have to "shock" my pool water?
"Shocking" your pool water chemically destroys the organic contaminants introduced by bathers and the environment. It restores water clarity, help maintain water balance and eliminate the main causes of eye and nose irritation.

What is pH?
It's a way to measure the acidity or alkalinity of water. Learn more

What is total alkalinity (TA)?
It's a measure of the water's ability to resist changes in pH. pH can be affected by environmental factors such as acid rain, pollution, run-off from the surrounding land, and fertilizers-just to name a few. Learn more

What is calcium hardness (CH)?
It's the amount of dissolved calcium in the water. Learn more

What is Chlorine Demand?
Chlorine Demand is the consistent inability to maintain a chlorine residual in a pool. Learn more

Why do I need to shock my pool?
Shocking a pool eliminates chloramines in the water. Chloramines are combined chlorine which is inactive.  They also cause the strong smells that are often mistaken for too high of a chlorine reading.  Shocking also oxidizes organic materials.  In our area, we recommend shocking every two weeks during the swimming season. Watch this video on How to Shock Your Pool

What causes cloudy water and how can I prevent it?
Usually a drop in chlorine levels is the primary cause of cloudy water. As the water warms, chlorine consumption increases. Learn more