How Does Rain Affect My Water Chemistry?

There’s nothing quite like watching a thunderstorm pour down the rain. Texans see more rain during the spring months of March-May and when fall makes its appearance in September and October. During these rainy days in Texas, pool owners often wonder, “How does rain affect my water chemistry?”.

Water chemistry sounds complicated. Luckily, our knowledgeable team at Bonnie & Clyde’s can teach you the art of easily balancing the levels, even after a heavy rainfall. Rain inevitably falls into your pool, but getting the desired balance back is simple. We have the highest-quality chemicals for balancing and maintaining the water chemistry, keeping your swimming pool in tip-top shape.

Checking Chemistry Levels

Rainwater is acidic and affects different water chemistry levels in the pool water depending on the amount of rainwater that collects in the pool. The Total Alkalinity and pH are usually the first two levels affected by heavy rain. The pH number rises with abundant rain, and this causes the chlorine to be ineffective in performing its cleansing job. The Total Alkalinity number falls because it is diluted by excessive water coming in quickly. This imbalance causes even more disproportion for the pH level. It’s important to attend to your water’s chemistry as quickly as possible, because the pH not only makes sure the chlorine is working properly, but also helps to protect your skin. 

Regular water checks are essential to keep water chemistry balanced, especially after a couple of days of heavy rain. Lighter rain is not as likely to affect the water chemistry, but doing a check is never a bad idea if you are unsure. Shocking the water is another option for rebalancing water chemistry if unexpected heavy rain hits your house. 

Remembering Other Factors

Did you know that it’s not just rain that affects your water’s balance during a storm? When the rainwater hits a nearby roof, rain gutter, or other obstacle, it can pick up harmful chemicals from the objects on its path to the pool. If the water goes unchecked, the water can become corrosive and begin to damage the pool itself. When the storms clear up, a quick water check will put your mind at ease about the chemistry’s balance.

Watching for a Raised Water Level

Excessive rain can cause the water level in the pool to rise abnormally high. This extra water will also cause an imbalance in the water chemistry. If the water rises too high, the skimmer stops working. When the skimmer stops, the surface of the water is not being moved and checked for contaminants. This allows debris to collect on the water’s surface and eventually settle to the bottom of the pool. If rainfall is extremely heavy, be sure to pump out any excess water to make sure that the skimmer is able to do its job well and to keep the chemicals at the right levels for the correct volume of water. 

Reaching Out for Expert Advice

Bonnie & Clyde’s has been serving the Fort Worth Metroplex since 1979, and we are known as experts in above-ground pools. We believe in getting as much out of your pool ownership as you can, which means more memories with family, and less time worrying about maintenance. Contact us today, and we’ll help you test your water and get it balanced anytime!