Florida’s hot summer days are perfect for enjoying a cool dip in your swimming pool. However, pool owners often wonder if the chlorine from the pool water might harm the lush green grass in their backyard. This concern is common among those who take pride in maintaining vibrant lawns and seek ways to prevent any potential damage.

Find out how pool water impacts grass growth and whether saltwater or chlorinated pools hamper lawns’ natural brightness.

The Impact of Salt and Chlorine on Backyard Pools

Swimming pool water typically contains a carefully measured amount of chlorine, which maintains the pool’s cleanliness by keeping algae, microbes, and other impurities at bay. Occasional splashes of chlorinated water on your lawn generally won’t do much harm. However, if the water has a high chlorine concentration, it’ll likely damage the grass, leading to discoloration and chemical burns. Over time, excessive chlorine can alter the soil’s pH balance and harm the grass.

On the other hand, saltwater pools, which have become increasingly popular due to their reduced chemical usage, also present challenges. Saltwater runoff can increase soil salinity, making it difficult for plants to absorb necessary nutrients. This issue is particularly problematic in soils with high clay content, as increased salinity can lead to soil compaction, further restricting plant growth and leading to nutrient deprivation.

Handling Pool Water Disposal

If pool water is constantly disposed of in a single spot, the high chlorine concentration can spoil the grass. However, turf is sturdy and generally has a better surface than landscaping plants to recycle pool water for irrigation. However, try not to concentrate the chlorinated water in a specific area. Grass can withstand more chlorine than shrubs, trees, and ornamental bushes.

If you plan on emptying the pool, try to space it over a few days and don’t dump all the water in one go. These steps will protect the grass and keep it green. If the chlorine levels are low, recycling it for water irrigation is often done, but be vigilant because excess chlorine or high salt content can kill the grass. There are some ways which can help you keep the grass green:

1. Avoid irrigating lawns with pool water even if the urge to reuse the water prompts you. Green grass stays green with fresh, clean water, so let the turf retain its vibrancy.
2. If your pool is well maintained, the water chemistry is regularly balanced, and the chlorine levels are well-adjusted, the chances of the grass burning are less if water falls on the turf.
3. During pool drainage and other maintenance or repair activities, grass often gets damaged. It is imperative to drain the pool waters away from the grass, so take the swimming pool water outlet to the home’s drainage system and directly let the water flow into the sewer to avoid killing the vegetation.
4. Toys, floats, swimming trucks, etc., are often discarded on the grass after a swim, but this can drip salty or chlorinated water onto the soil, restrict the air, and block sunlight, causing the green grass to lose its color and die. Watch for this to preserve your lawn!

Now the question arises: how can we restore the green grass and make the turf healthy if it has been exposed to chlorinated water?

Restoring Damaged Grass

First and foremost, you need to wash off the affected spots exposed to the chlorinated water and flush off the chlorine remnants with fresh water. It may take a while to restore the natural healthy soil balance and encourage grass growth, but lawn recovery is possible with patience.

Secondly, if you have started to protect the grass, ensure pets and people don’t step on the green grass patches so the soil doesn’t have to undergo stress and compaction. Reducing foot traffic and providing good water will restore your lawn’s original glory.

Lastly, reseed your lawn and remove the weeds to encourage grass recovery. Landscaping matters and helps improve the appearance of the swimming pool area. For this, fencing, greenery, and other adjustments must be carefully designed. We at Finn’s Pool Services have experts trained in pool construction, maintenance, and other aspects of the swimming pool.

Our team takes pride in building pools as an exciting project and makes extra efforts to significantly enhance the looks of your home and outdoor living space. Whether you focus on the functional aspect, aesthetics, or both, you can create a fantastic pool area that looks awesomely attractive, functional and enjoyable for years to come.