VivoAquatics Updates

Definitive Guide to Pool Chemistry: Combatting the "Chlorine Smell"

September 28, 2022

The chlorine smell can be really annoying and cause problems at your commercial pool or spa. Built up chloramines can be detrimental to both your commercial pool, as well as the satisfaction of your swimming pool patrons. Not only can high chloramine levels cause swimmers to experience skin and eye irritation, but the potent smell of chlorine can also be a turnoff.

To avoid these problems, it's important to maintain proper pool chemistry and use a quality aquatics operation software to help you monitor and adjust your pool's chlorine levels. This guide will teach you everything you need to know about pool chemistry and how to use aquatics operation software to keep your pool in top condition.

Pool Chemistry 101

By tracking your pool's water quality and making adjustments as needed, you can ensure that your pool is always ready for swimmers.

In order to maintain a safe and balanced pool, it is important to understand the different aspects of pool chemistry. pH, alkalinity, calcium hardness, and chlorine are all important factors that need to be considered when managing your pool.

  • pH is a measure of how acidic or basic your pool water is. The ideal pH range for pools is 7.2-7.6.
  • Alkalinity is a measure of the water's ability to resist changes in pH. A well-balanced pool should have an alkalinity level of 80-120 ppm.
  • Calcium hardness measures the amount of calcium dissolved in your pool water. Pools with soft water may need to have their calcium hardness levels increased, while pools with hard water may need to have their calcium hardness levels decreased. The ideal calcium hardness level for pools is 175-225 ppm.
  • Chlorine is a chemical that is added to pools to kill bacteria and other microorganisms. Chlorine levels should be kept between 1-3 ppm.

By properly managing your pool water chemistry, you can ensure that your pool is safe and enjoyable for everyone.

To ensure that your pool is free of this unpleasant smell, you need to maintain proper pH levels. The ideal pH level for a pool is between 7.2 and 7.6. If the pH level drops below 7.2, the water will become more acidic and the chlorine will start to evaporate. This will not only make the pool smell bad, but it can also corrode the metal parts of your pool (such as ladders and handrails).

If the pH level rises above 7.6, the water will become alkaline and the chlorine will no longer be effective. This can lead to the growth of algae and bacteria, which will make the pool water dirty and unsafe to swim in.

Maintaining the proper pH level is essential for keeping your pool clean and safe to swim in. The best way to do this is to use a pool test kit to test the pH levels on a regular basis. If the pH level is too low, you can add acid to the water. If the pH level is too high, you can add alkaline chemicals (such as soda ash) to the water

Before we dive into how to avoid the "chlorine" smell, let's talk about what the smell actually is. It is, in fact, not chlorine. Chlorine is actually odorless. The smell is from chloramines. 

More specifically, chloramines develop when there are insufficient levels of chlorine that react with nitrogen containing compounds. These compounds are found in urine, sweat, and water. 

Without the proper treatment, these compounds can build up, causing the pool to have a strong smell. That's not the only problem, though. These chemical compounds can also be harmful to swimmers, causing irritation to the skin, eyes, and lungs.



How to Get Rid of Chloramine Odor 

Getting that strong chlorine smell out of your commercial pool may seem like a daunting task. However, it doesn’t have to be. By the end of this article, you’ll know exactly how to fix your pool chemistry to get rid of the strong chlorine smell and make sure that your commercial pool is cleaner than ever!

There are a few different ways to get rid of chloramine odor in your commercial pool.

Use a Chemical Oxidizer

Pool chemistry is very important. One option is to use a chemical oxidizer such as sodium hypochlorite or potassium permanganate. These products will break down chloramines into their component parts, chlorine and ammonia. This will help to get rid of the chlorine smell in your commercial pool.

Raise the pH Balance of Your Pool

Another way to eliminate chloramine odor is to simply raise the pH of the pool water. Chloramines tend to be more stable at lower pH levels, so raising the pH will make them more susceptible to breakdown.

If the pH in your pool is too low, there are a few things you can do to raise it. One option is to add sodium carbonate, also known as soda ash, to the water. This will quickly raise the pH and alkalinity of the water.

Another way to raise the pH is to use muriatic acid. This is a strong acid and should be used with caution, but it will effectively lower the pH of pool water.

To use muriatic acid, start by adding 1/2 cup to 10 gallons of pool water. Mix the solution well and test the pH of the water. If the pH is still too low, add another 1/2 cup of muriatic acid. Repeat this process until the pH is in the desired range.

Once the pH has been raised, it's important to test the chlorine level and make sure it is within the recommended range. Chlorine levels can drop quickly when pH is increased, so be sure to test and adjust as needed.

Use a Chloramine Eliminator

Finally, you can also use a product known as a chloramine eliminator. These products are designed specifically to remove chloramines from pool water, and they typically work by binding to the chloramines and removing them from the water. 

If you have a commercial pool that is plagued by chloramine odor, there are a few different options available to you for getting rid of the problem. By using one of these methods, you can ensure that your pool is free of this unpleasant smell.

Maintain Proper Pool Chemistry Levels 

It’s critical to make sure that after you get rid of the strong pool chlorine smell, you maintain proper pool water chemistry. You can do this by using the right aquatics operation software. Products like VivoAquatics help automate chemical dosings and alert you to problems or when pool water chemistry is unbalanced. This allows you to be proactive- keeping your pool safe and compliant, before there is a negative or strong chlorine smell. 

Use an Aquatics Operations Software for Optimum Pool Chemistry 

Using an aquatics operations software can help you better manage your commercial pool to make sure that your pool chemistry is properly balanced and safe.

This guide will show you how to use an aquatics operations software to properly maintain your pool's pH levels, chlorine levels, and other factors that affect water quality.

The first step in using an aquatics operations software is to input all of the relevant data about your pool into the system. This includes the size of the pool, the type of filtration system you have, the type of pool surface, and the current water chemistry levels. Once this information is entered, the software will be able to generate a customized pool care plan for your specific pool.

One of the most important aspects of managing pool chemistry is keeping the pH level in balance. An aquatics operation software like VivoAquatics will be able to recommend the ideal pH level for your pool based on the data you have entered.

Chlorine is another important factor in water quality. The right aquatics operations software will be able to recommend the ideal chlorine level for your pool based on the data you have entered.

In addition to pH and chlorine levels, the software will also be able to help you manage other aspects of water quality, such as alkalinity and calcium hardness. By inputting all of the relevant data into the system, you can be sure that your pool is being properly maintained and that the water quality is up to par.

How to Choose the Right Aquatics Operations Software 

It can be really difficult to manage a commercial pool and spa without an aquatics operation software. Having the right system in place can help you get rid of that pool chlorine smell, as well as keep your water clean and compliant. 

Aquatics operation software systems offer a variety of features that can make running a pool business easier, from ensuring that chemical dosing is on track to creating pool tasks to keep employees on the same page. But with so many options on the market, it can be tough to know where to start when choosing an aquatics operations software system for your business.

In this section, we'll cover everything you need to know about aquatics operations software systems, from the different types of systems available to the key features you should look for when shopping around. By the end, you'll have all the information you need to choose the right software system for your business.

What is Aquatics Operations Software?

Aquatics operations software is a type of business management software that helps pool operators manage their businesses more effectively. Aquatics operation software systems offer a variety of features, from online booking and payment processing to automatic chemical dosing and maintenance scheduling.

Aquatics operations software systems are designed to make it easier for pool operators to run their businesses by automating many of the tasks that are necessary to keep a pool running smoothly. In addition to freeing up time for more important tasks, aquatics operations software can also help pool operators reduce their operating costs by reducing the need for manual labor.

Types of Aquatics Operations Software

There are two main types of aquatics operations software: cloud-based and on-premise.

Cloud-based aquatics operations software is a type of software that is hosted by the software provider. This means that users can access the software from any internet-connected device, and there is no need to install any software on their own computers. Cloud-based systems are typically more affordable than on-premise systems and can be easier to set up and use.

On-premise aquatics operations software is a type of software that is installed on the pool operator's own computer servers. On-premise systems are typically more expensive than cloud-based systems and can be more difficult to set up and use.

VivoAquatics is a cloud based software. This means that the entire ecosystem can be easily installed and used. As long as you have a supported device (even if it’s something as simple as your cell phone!) and an internet connection, you can be well on your way to managing your pool. You can get automatic notifications, determine problem areas, see tasks, and read and analyze reports and more- all from your device. This means you can keep up with the complicated inner workers of your comercial pool, whether you’re in your office, on the pool grounds, or enjoying a croissant in Paris (or wherever in the world it is you want to be). 

Key Features of Aquatics Operations Software

When shopping for aquatics operations software, there are a few key features you should look for:

  • Hands on Support

One of the most important features of any software system is customer support. When you're running a business, you can't afford to have your software system down for very long. Make sure that the aquatics operations software system you choose has a team of customer support representatives who are available seven days a week to help you troubleshoot any problems you may have.

  • Automatic Chemical Dosing

Another important feature to look for in an aquatics operations software system is automatic chemical dosing. Many pool operators use manual dosing systems, which can be time-consuming and labor-intensive. Look for a system that offers an automated chemical dosing feature, which will save you time and money in the long run. VivoAquatics boasts a top of the line automated chemical dosing system, which can help save you money and make sure that your commercial pool has the right chemical profile. This helps keep you safe and compliant. 

  • Maintenance Scheduling

Another key feature of aquatics operations software is maintenance scheduling. Maintenance is a crucial part of running a pool, but it can be time-consuming to keep track of all the different tasks that need to be done each week. Look for a system that offers a maintenance scheduling feature, which will help you keep track of all the different tasks that need to be done and when they need to be done. VivoAquatics allows you to easily assign tasks to employees. They don’t even have to be at the pool to receive tasks. As long as they have an internet connection, they’ll be able to easily manage and see tasks, no matter where they are on the property. 

  • Analytics and Reporting

Finally, look for a system that offers analytics and reporting features. These features will help you track your progress and see where you can improve. Look for a system that offers detailed reports on your pool's performance, as well as the ability to create custom reports. VivoAquatics has an in depth analytics and reporting system so you can increase efficiency, save money, and make your commercial pool more sustainable. 

Bottom Line

A strong pool chlorine smell isn’t just off putting to your guests. Having a properly balanced pool is key to preventing health hazards, including bacteria and algae growth. But what does it mean to have a “balanced” pool? Water balance is achieved when the water in your pool has the right pH level, alkalinity, and calcium hardness. Maintaining these levels isn’t as complicated as it may seem, especially with VivoPoint.

The right aquatics operations software should make it easy for you to manage a strong chlorine smell in your pool. Don't risk patrons complaining, unsafe chemical levels, or dirty water that keeps you out of compliance.

VivoAquatics has everything you need to keep your pool safe, healthy, compliant, as well as make sure your pool doesn't have an overpowering chlorine smell. This goes a long way in making sure you have satisfied patrons at your commercial pool!

Schedule a demo today to see how VivoAquatics is helping pool owners, managers, and operators better run their commercial pool for increasing cost savings, higher customer satisfaction, and increased efficiency.

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