Swimming Pool Scale - How to Prevent Pool Scale Formation

This white crusty deposit can eventually cause other swimming pool problems for you. Some of which include:

• Rough wall surfaces in your pool or spa.
• Reduced water circulation and flow.
• Calcification of your pool filter media. This results in poor water filtration.

While its possible to have a nice looking pool/spa, having deposits of scale build up can be very unattractive to your bathers. This is usually because pool scale looks dirty; thus, giving you a grayish color in appearance. You see scale on your pool wall surfaces can cause abrasions on the users of your swimming pool.

What causes swimming pool scale?

Swimming pool scaling is the result of an excessive amount of calcium hardness (i.e. calcium build up) and poor water balance. These two factors contribute to the total hardness of your swimming pool water chemistry; which results in scale formation. Usually when it comes to swimming pool scale formation, these are your major contributing factors:

• High pH.
• High alkalinity.
• High calcium hardness.

Pool calcium scale otherwise known as calcium carbonate, is more likely to develop in areas that has water evaporation and high water temperatures.

Problems caused by having swimming pool scale

Because calcium scale is less soluble in water, your pool heater will develop pool scale formation. This is a swimming pool problem that usually happens as the water temperature of your pool increases. As pool scale develops on your heat exchanger, your pool heater will become less efficient.

The plumbing of your swimming pool system is another section that is affected by pool scaling or scale formation.

When and if you get scale build up in pool plumbing system, you will have some serious restriction to your water flow.

This is another swimming pool problem that can result in high filter pressures and cloudy pool water.

Increase risks of swimming pool scale

If your make up or source water has a high calcium content, this can be another contributing factor to you having scale formation. Another factor is the use of calcium hypochlorite. This is a swimming pool disinfectant that introduces calcium, increase you pool's pH reading and - you guessed it - causes pool scale formation.

How to prevent swimming pool or spa scale formation

Preventing the formation of scale in locations such as your pool plumbing system, wall surfaces, and your pool heating system, means that you have to properly maintain your water chemistry; hence, having proper water balance.

As a pool/spa owner or operator, you have to ensure that all these pool water parameters are up to industry standards. These pool parameters include:

• Total alkalinity.
• Calcium hardness.
• Your water's pH reading.
• Your total dissolved solids.

As part of your water balance correcting, you may be required to drain a portion of your swimming pool or spa water. This process will help you to lower your calcium hardness and total dissolved solids (TDS) levels.

In your efforts to correct your pool scaling problem, be careful not to lower your pool water in locations where the hydrostatic ground water pressure can damage your pool structure.

There are pool chemicals available that can also help in the prevention of pool scale formation.

Just check with your local pool supplier for assistance.

Normal the use of pool chemicals that have a low pH level are often the choice in removing in scale in swimming pools. so you see - there is a solution for every swimming pool problem. This include swimming pool scale.

Swimming pool scale is a pool problem that can be avoided.

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