It’s only the end of February and Newport Beach has already received 10 inches of rain.  That’s more than the yearly average!  All that rain is great for busting droughts and growing plants, but it isn’t so great for your pool.  Beachside Pool Service, the expert Newport Beach pool service, explains how rainwater can have a negative impact on your pool.

Increase in Volume

The first affect is obvious.  The rain adds to the volume of the pool.  If the amount of rain causes the pool level to rise above mid-tile, your skimmer might not work properly.  If the pool receives several inches of direct rainfall or the equivalent in runoff, you must adjust the water level.  Drain enough water to bring it back down to the skimmer level using the “waste” setting at the filter. After you drain the water, test the remaining water and adjust for pH and sanitizer levels.

Changes in Chemistry

Here’s where it gets tricky.  You need to brush up on your chemistry for this one.

Rainwater causes the pH of the water to rise and it reduces the total alkalinity due to dilution.  This is where you start to have problems.  The higher pH has a negative impact on the effectiveness of the chlorine.  It causes it to become inactive.  Just like the sound of the rain can lull you to sleep, the higher pH from the rain puts the chlorine to sleep. Sleeping chlorine is not at work keeping your pool sanitized.  Lower TA via dilution also destabilizes the pH to some degree allowing it to move higher more quickly.

The lower total alkalinity destabilizes the already rising pH.  Lower alkalinity causes the pH to rise even faster.  It’s a double-whammy to the chlorine.

But wait, there’s more.  Pool water should be kept at a pH of 7.4 to 7.6 for comfort.  When the rainwater affects the pH of the water it also makes the water unsuitable for swimming.  While chlorine often gets the blame for burning eyes and itchy skin, the real culprit is the pH of the water.

That’s why it is important to test the water after a heavy rain and adjust the chemicals as necessary.  If this seems complicated, it can be.  The easiest way to keep the water balanced after rainfall is to rely on a professional Newport Beach pool service.

Reliable Newport Beach Pool Service

Rain or shine, you can rely on Beachside Pool Service for regular Newport Beach pool service.  Beachside Pool Service will keep your water levels and water chemistry balanced no matter how much rain falls.  In addition, regular service includes:

• Brushing pool tile
• Brushing pool walls
• Skimming debris
• Cleaning basket in skimmer weir
• Cleaning pump basket
• Vacuum pool

Beachside Pool Service will backwash and clean your filters on a regular basis. If you need pool tile cleaning or acid washing, Beachside can take care of that as well.   When Beachside maintains your pool you concentrate on enjoying the pool and Beachside takes care of everything else  Call (949) 939-0023 today for free, no-obligation estimate or use the On-line Contact form