Today we are discussing two of the six LSI factors: water temperature and cyanuric acid (CYA). Specifically, does warmer temperature affect CYA's ability to protect sunlight? There is a widespread belief in the industry that hotter weather means you need higher CYA to protect chlorine from sunlight. So we asked a leading expert about what's really going on.
We have always been taught that pH controls the strength of chlorine. And that's true, except when cyanuric acid is in the water too. CYA changes the entire dynamic. Fair warning, this topic is controversial and contrarian to most textbooks and industry beliefs. But it is backed in science that we will cite in this article. Buckle up.
Believe it or not, swimming pools can leak in both directions. Most of us think of pool leaks as water escaping out of the pool, but this article is about water pushing into the pool from the outside from hydrostatic pressure. We'll discuss what the consequences are, how to fix them, and more importantly, how to prevent these issues from the beginning.
When water evaporates, it leaves behind minerals, metals, and other dissolved solids like salt. Naturally, whatever is left behind will accumulate over time. Let's discuss the impact that evaporation has on water chemistry, and how you can be proactive and adapt to it.
What is the recommended way to add acid to a commercial swimming pool? We have discussed how to add acid to a residential pool, but this article will focus on the consequences of incorrectly adding acid on a pool with chemical automation. Mainly, pool surfaces get etched–especially the floors. Spoiler alert: acid dilution is a smart solution.
This article will outline six bad habits that you can change immediately–for free–that will give you an immediate return on investment (ROI).
"How do I calculate the volume of a pool?" This article will guide you on how to measure a swimming pool and calculate its volume of water. Let's begin.
Pool chemistry is a lot like cooking. And the best chefs in the world use measuring cups.
Do you need to reduce alkalinity or pH in a swimming pool? If so, you may need to add some acid. This article introduces the best known practices for how to safely handle acid products, and how to add acid to a pool properly. Yes, it DOES matter how (and where) the acid is poured in the pool. And we debunk the myth of the "column pour."
We recently had to adapt the Orenda Startup for a unique tap water situation.
Most tap water we test is low on the Langelier Saturation Index (LSI). On the Orenda app, it shows up with a red LSI number at the bottom. And by "most tap water", we mean almost all tap water in the country. That is, until the water we tested recently in the Bay Area of Northern California. It had a purple LSI.
There are few certainties in life: death, taxes, deadlines, and homeowners who want to suspend or cancel pool service during the winter. We understand the logic behind suspending pool service, but we also know that the logic is based on incomplete information. As pool professionals, it is our responsibility to inform customers–homeowners who ultimately make the final decisions about their pool–about what cold water can do to their pool over the winter.
Algae (plural) are common in swimming pools that struggle with chlorine efficiency, sanitizer killing speed, and high phosphates. This article is an overview of what algae are, and how to kill and prevent algae from taking over your swimming pool.