Swimming pools and water features are designed to look good and are great fun to have if you can afford them.
These additions have the ability to turn an otherwise average yard into something that looks like it belongs on HGTV.
The problem is some people worry these gorgeous and fun amenities will destroy their grass in less than week’s time.
Some homeowners are concerned of how quickly pool water can harm surrounding lawns due its chlorine content.
This post will help clarify this issue.
Will Pool Water Kill Grass
The answer is: maybe. Pool water can harm grass if it is not tested and treated properly and has too high of a pH.
In general, pool water should be tested once a week for the first month after opening the pool, then once a month thereafter.
The pH of the water should be kept between 7.2 and 7.6 to prevent damage to surrounding.
If the pH is too high, it will burn the grass; too low, and it will cause yellowing of the grass blades.
Maintaining Normal pH Levels
Here are some tips to maintain a good pH level in your swimming pool:
1. Do not add a lot of chemicals to the pool at one time. Instead, add a small amount and check the pH level every day. If it goes up or down, adjust accordingly.
Use a test kit to measure the pH level of your pool water. These kits are easy to use and can be purchased at most pool supply stores.
2. Make sure that your filter is working correctly and clean it often with a brush or vacuum cleaner attachment. This will help prevent the build-up of algae on the walls of your pool.
3. When you are adding chemicals to your pool, make sure that you are using them correctly and in the right proportions so as not to affect the pH level too much.
Chlorine
Pool water also contains chlorine or bromine that may cause discoloration of the grass if levels are too high or left on for an extended period of time.
Chlorine can also kill beneficial soil microbes that help keep your lawn healthy by breaking down organic material in the soil into nutrients that plants can use.
Salt Water Pools
Salt water and grass aren’t exactly known to get along with each other. If you happen to live nearby the sea and have salt water in your pool, you definitely don’t want that splashing over into your grass lawn or yard.
Salt in salt water is a corrosive substance that can burn your grass to the ground.
It burns the grass from the inside out, and it will continue to burn until there is no more grass left to burn. Salt water also causes brown spots on the lawn.
Salt in salt water can cause fungus and disease on your lawn because of the high levels of sodium that are found in salt water.
This high level of sodium will kill off beneficial bacteria in your soil, which will make it hard for you to grow healthy plants and flowers in your yard.
The lack of bacteria in your soil will also make it harder for you to fight off any diseases or fungus that may try to take hold on your property.
Choosing the Right Turf to Lay Around Your Pool
Artificial turf is often used around pools and in areas where there is a lot of foot traffic. It will wear better than natural grass because it doesn’t require as much maintenance and it won’t need to be replaced as often.
It also doesn’t get damaged badly by highly-chlorinated or salty water.