Treating the Water in Your Inflatable Pool

Once upon a time, inflatable pools were only for the kids. They were small, easy to inflate, and easy to drain and refill after each use without having to worry about bacteria or algae building up. However, now, many families are choosing to purchase inflatable pools that can hold thousands of gallons of water to fill an up to 4-foot depth, resembling a traditional, permanent above-ground pool. With these larger models, it is much more difficult to maintain a clean and safe environment. Without proper treatment, bacteria becomes a problem and not only does the pool become unsafe, it can look unsightly as well.

Unlike in-ground pools, which have full filtration systems, chemicals, and special tools to keep their water clean and healthy, caring for an inflatable pool requires some different considerations. Many people simply dump all of the water out of their above-ground pools to clean and maintain them, but since conserving water has become a necessity, especially in certain parts of the country, dumping the water from your inflatable pool is neither an economical nor environmentally sound idea. However, there are ways that you can treat your inflatable pool at home to keep it safe and clean without having to empty and refill it on a regular basis.

Larger Pools and Chemical Treatments

For larger inflatable pools, it is best to simply purchase all the traditional chemical products available at any pool supply store. This includes ph balance test strips as well as commercially available chlorine used to treat in-ground pools.

It is best to shock the pool at least once per week while inflated with a larger dose of chlorine to ensure bacteria and algae will not be able to infect the water. There are also some products that are available commercially that are specially designed for inflatable pools so that they won’t harm the vinyl lining but will still give the appropriate amount of treatment chemicals.

Chlorine floaters are also an option for inflatable pools These devices consistently release a small amount of chemicals without harming you or your family while swimming. When you use intense chlorine to shock the water, you should also make sure to use a monthly algaecide to protect the pool from unwanted growth.

Homemade Remedies for Smaller Pools

While commercially purchased chlorine is one of the best ways to treat the water in larger inflatable pools, smaller pools that are fewer than 20 feet wide need less chemicals to treat the water. Using a mixture of pool chlorine with over-the-counter chlorine bleach is a good solution for keeping a clean pool.

Regardless of which type of chemical you choose to use on your pool, it is essential to be careful when applying it to the water. Make sure the chlorine is properly mixed in the water and not allowed to collect on the vinyl siding, as it will eventually cause erosion.