Pool Treatment

Between 7.2 and 7.6. Below that the water becomes corrosive to metal fittings and uncomfortable for swimmers; above it, chlorine loses most of its effectiveness and scale starts to form. Always set total alkalinity to 80–120 ppm first, because it is what keeps pH stable.

Free chlorine between 1 and 3 ppm for a domestic pool. If you are struggling to hold a level, check pH before adding more chlorine, and check your stabiliser level — an uncovered pool in full sun with no stabiliser can lose most of its free chlorine in a single sunny day.

No. A saltwater chlorinator generates chlorine electrolytically from dissolved salt, so the water is still sanitised by chlorine — just produced continuously and automatically rather than added by hand. The result is gentler on skin and eyes and much less chemical handling, which is why so many owners prefer it.

Most often poor filtration, water out of balance, or both. Check the filter is clean and the pump is running long enough, then test alkalinity and pH before anything else. Cloudy water with a strong chlorine smell usually means chloramines, which needs shocking rather than reducing chlorine.

Twice a week in high summer, weekly the rest of the season, and after any heavy use or heavy rain. Test at elbow depth away from the return inlet, and replace test strips each season — strips degrade after opening and stale strips give misleading readings.