If you are thinking about Pebblecrete swimming pool installation, or you have resurfaced your pool’s interior with Pebblecrete, you may be wondering what chemicals you’ll need. In this guide from United Pools & Renovation, we’ll discuss everything you need to know.
Add Only Chlorine & Hydrochloric Acid For 4 Weeks After Pebblecrete Installation
First, make sure that you only use chlorine and hydrochloric acid to treat your water for the first 4 weeks after your Pebblecrete pool has been installed. This is because it takes up to a month for Pebblecrete to cure completely, and it’s not a good idea to congest the water with unnecessary chemicals during this time.
Because of this, you should only use chlorine to keep the water properly sanitized, and hydrochloric acid to maintain a pH balance of between 7.2 and 7.4. After this initial period is over, you can begin to add other chemicals depending on your preferences.
General Guidelines For Pebblecrete Pool Chemicals – What You Should Know
Once your pool has completely cured after 4 weeks, you can add additional pool chemicals as desired, such as calcium and other water additives. However, you must make sure you follow these guidelines:
- 7.2 to 7.4 pH – A pH of 7.2 to 7.4 ensures that the water in your pool is not too acidic. A level that’s much below 7.2 can cause irritation and respiratory issues to those who are swimming. The water may also be more likely to corrode metal components of your pool, so make sure to keep your pH balanced between 7.2 to 7.4.
- 80 to 120 mg/L alkalinity – This is a measurement of the total level of alkaline substances in your water. It’s related to but is separate from the pH of your pool. A measurement that exceeds 120 mg/L can make your water become cloudy and encourage other issues like lime precipitation, while a low alkalinity may cause frequent pH fluctuations. Both of these should be avoided in a Pebblecrete pool.
- 200 to 220 ppm calcium hardness – High calcium levels can cause a lot of lime precipitation on Pebblecrete pools, which should be avoided, if possible. Over time, uncontrolled buildup of calcium can even cause damage to the Pebblecrete surface, so keep calcium levels under control and remove limescale and calcium buildup as soon as you notice it.
- 1.3 – 3.0 pH levels total hardness mg/l – Your total hardness should be between 1.3 and 3.0. A hardness that’s below 1.3 may cause your pool water to pull calcium from the pool concrete surface, and contribute to an acidic environment. A level above 3.0 may cause cloudy and murky looking water, and contribute to limescale buildup.
As long as you keep your pool’s water conditions between these recommended levels, you can use any chemicals you want to treat your water.
Interested In A Pebblecrete Pool? Contact United Pools & Renovations Now
At United Pools & Renovations, we specialize in Pebblecrete pools in the Sydney metro area. If your pool is looking a little worse for wear and ready for renovations, or you want a new pool for your home, we’re here to help. To learn more about our services or schedule a consultation, just give us a call at 0414 883 859 or contact us online.