5 Swimming Pool Myth Busters: Separating Fiction from Fact

Myth busters about popular urban legends just need to be brought to light sometimes, and that’s true with swimming pool myths. Mythical tales may draw us in almost like ghost stories told around a campfire, but it seems like human nature to confuse fables with essential facts. Check out our professional swimming pool technicians busting myths in case you’ve never heard the other side of the stories.

Swimming Pool Myth #1

The myth: If you open your eyes underwater in a swimming pool, the chlorine will burn your eyes.

The truth: Chlorine gets a bad rap when it comes to eyes getting irritated after being opened in swimming pools. The chlorine isn’t the problem at all. It’s a pH imbalance that causes swimmers to experience burning red eyes. Maintain a swimming pool water chemistry with a pH level between 7.2 and 7.6 to avoid eye irritation.

Swimming Pool Myth #2

The misleading myth: Saltwater pools are chlorine-free environments.

The truth: Saltwater pools are sanitized by chlorine that’s created when the saltwater becomes charged with an electrical current in the pool system. The process that creates chlorine is called electrolysis. There is a very real difference between chlorine in a chlorine swimming pool and the chlorine in a saltwater pool. In saltwater pools, the natural chlorine is easier on the skin, doesn’t cause eye discomfort, and doesn’t fade swimwear. Saltwater pools require fewer chemicals than chlorinated pools, yet the chlorine produced by electrolysis serves as a good disinfectant.

Swimming Pool Myth #3

The misleading myth: Saltwater pools don’t need to be shocked.

The truth: To dispel another common misconception, the fact is that shocking saltwater pools is a necessity for purposes of sanitization and prevention of algae growth.

Swimming Pool Myth #4

The misleading myth: Don’t hesitate to swim in a clear pool because of the fact that it’s clear-looking means that it is healthy and clean.

The truth: Judging whether a pool is safe to swim in should not be based on its appearance. The chemistry of the pool water is what matters. Microorganisms can grow to unhealthy levels without creating obvious murkiness. Swimming pools should be tested at least weekly to ensure that the water chemistry is doing the important job of ensuring a healthy swimming environment.

Swimming Pool Myth #5

The misleading myth: You will get cramps if you don’t wait an hour after eating before you get in the swimming pool.

The truth: The issue that can actually cause you to develop a cramp if you swim too soon after eating is a matter of science, but it rarely happens. The concern is that when the stomach is busily digesting food, more of the blood in your body is helping with the digestive process. Hence, other muscles temporarily have less blood. If those muscles are overworked, there is a chance it can result in cramping. To heed your mother’s warning about avoiding a cramp, eat a lighter meal, and ease into resuming activities when you resume swimming after you’ve eaten.

The swimming pool technicians at Pool Works specialize in keeping pools sparkling clean and chemically well-balanced. For pool services that will make your pool inviting to the most discerning of swimmers, visit our Lakeland, Florida, location.