Be Aware Of These Problems If You Own A Pool In A Hard Water Area

First of all, what is hard water? The general definition is that it’s water with a very high mineral content. It contains things like calcium and magnesium – and you may be able to see very tiny mineral deposits in the water if you pour it into a glass. 

Another way to tell if you’re in a hard water area is by looking at a hard water map. This will show you the different areas across the country and how hard the water is in specific places. If you’re in one of the hard water areas, this can present some unique challenges – especially if you own a pool. 

Pool ownership always comes with concerns, though hard water produces some new issues to be aware of. Those of you with a pool installation will benefit from learning about these concerns, as it will help you maintain your pool. On the other hand, if you’re considering a pool to boost your home’s curb appeal and invigorate the yard, then these concerns give you things to mull over before making your decision. 

Calcium Build-Up & Scaling

Hard water contains lots of calcium, which is generally quite good for you if you drink it. However, when you fill a pool with hard water, the calcium starts to build up on the surfaces and sides. It creates a calcium scale of white chalkiness that’s incredibly hard to remove. The chances are you can’t remove calcium buildup from your pool alone; you’ll need a professional pool cleaning service to do this for you. 

As a result, you need to add another maintenance task to your pool ownership checklist. You must use scale-prevention chemicals to prevent the calcium from building up, and you will likely need to do more basic cleaning to remove any buildup before it has a chance to settle and harden. 

Keep in mind that this raises the pool maintenance costs as well. You’ll spend more money on pH balancers and chemicals to reduce the hardness of your water – plus, you’ll need to install a filter specifically for hard water pools. 

More Wear & Tear

While hard water seems harmless, it can wreak havoc on the internal piping throughout your pool. Calcium deposits in the pool itself are easy for you to see and clean before they harden. Unfortunately, you can’t always see these deposits in the pipes, filters, heaters, etc. Over time, hard water leads to scaling inside these structures, which may reduce pool water flow and cause significant complications. 

Most notably, the scaling will degrade the piping/equipment, making it last for less time than it otherwise should. 

Should you avoid installing a pool in a hard water area? No – but you should take extra precautions to keep the system working efficiently. Invest in better filters and water pump systems that can prevent calcium buildup and ensure you have a good chemical pH balancer that softens the water. It requires more effort than maintaining and looking after a pool in softer water areas, but you can still have one if you’re willing to keep up with this!