How Hard and Soft Water can impact your inground pool

You may have heard the phrases before but what exactly is hard or soft water? And does it matter for your pool? The short answer is yes and here’s why:

Explaining Hard Water
All homes usually are connected to a source of running water – whether a well or a public water supply. Hard water is defined as water that contains a high concentration of magnesium, calcium, and other dissolved minerals. Depending on the source water, this level of hardness can fluctuate.

Explaining Soft Water
In contrast to hard water, soft water is defined as containing fewer concentrations of dissolved minerals and instead, contains more sodium. Natural sources of soft water are often rainwater and groundwater that have travelled through granite. The negative impact of soft water is that it tends to be abrasive and can corrode important pool equipment like pipes, fittings, glues, and other binders. It also can cause surfaces to become slippery.

For Your Pool
Most experts agree that water in your pool is best when its calcium registers between 100-400 ppm. If your calcium levels are too high, meaning your water is too hard, you can adjust your pool chemistry by adding soft water or through the addition of sodium supplements.

You do need to be careful, however, too low of calcium levels can also cause pool issues too. When in doubt, consult the professionals. Visit our retail store in East Windsor, CT. Aqua Pool and Patio offers “Free Water Testing”. By utilizing the latest software and technology, we can quickly analyze your water to determine what your pool needs to maintain the proper levels of calcium as well as address other water chemistry concerns.

Have questions? Contact us today.