What is the purpose of sanitizing my pool and how should I do it?

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.

The most commonly used method of sanitizing pools is application of a chlorinating product. These products are available in stabilized and unstabilized forms. Of the two, stabilized chlorinating products are recommended; they contain a built-in shield that helps the chlorine level work longer by protecting it from sunlight burn-off.

The continuous chlorine level should be kept between 1.0 – 3.0 ppm (parts per million) for proper sanitation. Stabilized chlorinating products come in several forms including 1" and 3" tablets, sticks, granules and floaters. Brominating products are also effective sanitizers and offer low-odor sanitation at higher temperatures, and are ideal for spa and hot tub applications.

There are a number of techniques for applying chlorinating products to pool water. With hand feeding, granular chlorinating products are fed directly into the pool using a scoop, cup or other clean, dry measuring device. Floaters can be used in all types of pools to apply chlorinating tablets. They are particularly useful when going on vacation. With skimmer chlorination, 3" chlorinating tablets or sticks are placed in the skimmer. As water flows over the tablets and through the circulation system, the tablets slowly erode and a chlorine level enters the pool. Tablets can also be used in an in-line chlorinator or feeder that can be part of a built-in filtration system.