AZ pool builders hear a lot of different myths having to do with swimming and pool ownership. Most of these myths are false, and debunking them helps to make the decision to invest in a pool a bit more clear for Arizona residents. From not swimming after eating, to pool water dying blonde hair green, pool builders Arizona have answers to debunk each and every one. 5 common myths about swimming pools busted are:
1. Don’t swim for an hour after eating – This is the single most common myth about swimming and swimming pools, and the one that just about everyone has heard from their parents growing up. The myth has roots in truth, but the effects of swimming after eating are greatly exaggerated. After eating a big meal, the blood rushes to the stomach to aid in digestion, leaving less in the muscles of your arms and legs. While it is possible that this can lead to cramping, it’s very unlikely, and the cramping is even less likely to be the kind that will have any real effect on your swimming. Just to be safe, eat a lighter meal and ease back into swimming full force.
2. Chlorine turns blonde hair green – This is another common myth, and one that is pretty misunderstood. It’s true that swimming in a pool might turn light blonde hair green, but the chlorine isn’t the culprit. Some algaecides used in pools contain copper, and it’s actually the copper attaching itself to the hair and oxidizing that might change the color of one’s hair. The good news? The oxidized copper molecules can be washed out with a simple shampoo, or avoided altogether by conditioning the hair before swimming.
3. Chlorine burns the eyes underwater – If your eyes are burning when you open them underwater, it’s not the chlorine in the pool causing it. What is more likely is that the pool has an unbalanced pH level, and the eyes won’t burn if the pH is kept between around 7.2 and 7.6.
4. Saltwater pools are chlorine-free – A very common myth is that saltwater pools are completely chlorine-free, but this isn’t actually the case. When salt water pools are sanitized, water is pushed through an electrical current in a process called electrolysis. What this process does is creates chlorine.
5. A clear pool is a healthy pool – While clear pool water might look healthy and clean, this isn’t always the case. Even a clear pool can harbor bacteria and algae, and the best way to check the cleanliness of a pool is not by eye, but by testing the water.
