Making the decision to have a pool installed in your backyard is a big one for anyone, especially first-time homeowners and pool owners. When researching whether a pool is the right move for you, chances are you come across a lot of conflicting information. While the internet is a wonderful resource that can be quite helpful, it can also provide us with too much information, making it difficult to decipher truth from myth. This is why we thought it would be helpful to debunk some of the most common pools myths we hear. It is expected for those new to pool ownership to be a little wary about the upkeep, maintenance, and everything else that goes along with it, but we are here to tell you it’s actually not that difficult. As long as you have the correct information, that is.

There is an ‘air of mystery’ around swimming pools which can lead to a lot of false beliefs. With that in mind, let’s get to work on busting the most common pool myths:

Myth #1: Chlorine will turn my beautiful blonde hair green! Perhaps the most common myth about swimming pools is that chlorine will give blonde hair a greenish tint. While you may notice your hair is ever-so-slightly green after getting out of the pool, this actually isn’t because of the chlorine. The truth of the matter is that green hair after swimming happens because of the copper in the water. Copper can find its way into the pool in many different ways, from the fittings and pipes to heater coils and algaecides that treat the water. Blondes: To prevent your hair from turning green after a dip in the pool, try using a leave-in conditioner to keep the copper from finding its way into your beautiful locks.

Myth #2: You can put a chemical in the pool that will show if someone pees. Sorry to burst the bubble on this one, but there is no such chemical that will immediately indicate if someone pees in the pool. A chemical imbalance may make the pool appear cloudy or discolored, but this is certainly not indicative that one of your pool guests tinkled.

Myth #3: You will have stomach cramps if you swim right after eating. We know this a favorite belief of many parents, but we have to tell you there is no real evidence to support this. While it may be a good idea to let your kiddo’s stomach settle after eating a big meal, there is no proof that hopping in the pool right after eating will make them sick.

Myth #4: It’s ok to swallow chlorinated water because it kills everything bad. Sure, chlorine is great because it keeps a lot of unwanted bacteria and even some water-borne illnesses out of the water, but it does not kill all the harmful things hanging out in the water. So, we definitely don’t encourage swallowing pool water!

Myth #5: Pool water that is over-chlorinated will make your eyes turn red. While it is not completely off-base that chlorine can cause some irritation, chances are your eyes turn red after being in the pool because of all the other stuff lurking in the water – like urine and sweat.

We hope you feel a little bit better about taking on a home swimming pool after reading the above. If you have any questions or would like further clarification on any of the myths we busted, please don’t hesitate to contact Mid City Custom Pools.