Water care resourcesProper chlorine levels

Recommended free chlorine levels

If you are checking your pool chlorine and wondering what number you should see, the answer depends on whether you are caring for a pool or a hot tub. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends at least 1 part per million of free chlorine in pools. When cyanuric acid is used, the recommendation is at least 2 parts per million. For hot tubs, the recommendation is at least 3 parts per million, and the water should not exceed 104 degrees Fahrenheit.

Those numbers are worth testing rather than estimating from appearance. The CDC notes that clear water can still carry germs, so a pool that looks clean still needs regular water testing.

The relationship between chlorine and pH

Chlorine is only one part of the water testing routine. The CDC recommends a pool pH between 7.0 and 7.8. Kingfisher tests free chlorine, pH and total alkalinity during every weekly visit and adds routine chemicals as the readings call for them.

Cyanuric acid is another reading to watch. The CDC notes that high cyanuric acid, which can build up from tablets, makes chlorine work more slowly. Kingfisher checks cyanuric acid monthly on weekly service routes. If the level becomes too high, lowering it requires a partial drain.

Chlorine in salt pools

Salt pools are managed differently from pools that receive routine liquid chlorine or tablets. Kingfisher tests the salt level during weekly service on salt pools and inspects the salt cell every three months.

Local water conditions are part of that maintenance. The Las Vegas Valley Water District calls valley tap water very hard, with 280 parts per million of total hardness and 75 parts per million of calcium. The minerals come from the Colorado River through Lake Mead. Hard water leaves calcium scale, especially at the tile line, in heaters and on salt cells.

The impact of heat and stabilizer

Las Vegas has a long hot season, but the most useful thing a homeowner can do with that information is keep testing the water rather than judging it by the weather or appearance. The National Weather Service in Las Vegas reports a July average high of 104.5 degrees Fahrenheit, with about 78 days each year reaching 100 degrees.

Water loss is also significant. The Southern Nevada Water Authority reports that an average in ground pool loses 48.6 gallons per square foot per year, and a typical 470 square foot pool can lose up to 22,842 gallons annually. Topping up with hard water raises calcium over time.

How Kingfisher Pool & Spa helps

Weekly Chemical Care and Full Care service includes testing free chlorine, pH and total alkalinity and adding routine chemicals as the readings call for them. Cyanuric acid and calcium hardness are checked monthly. Salt is checked on salt pools, and Kingfisher inspects salt cells every three months.

Full Care Plus includes quarterly salt cell inspection and cleaning. On other plans, cleaning is billed separately when scale is found. After each weekly visit, Kingfisher emails a report with the water readings, chemicals added, completed tasks, technician notes, equipment observations and a photo of the pool. This gives the homeowner a record of what was tested and what was done at each visit.