Rick's Remedies Answers..."What Are Enzymes?"

What Are Enzymes?

There are a lot of products for pools & spas that contain enzymes.  We get asked a lot, "what are enzymes and what do they do in my pool/spa?"

 

WARNING! 

SCIENCE CONTENT AHEAD!

Enzymes are proteins that accelerate chemical reactions that speed up metabolic processes. 

Clear as mud, right?

Ready for an explanation that makes sense to EVERYONE?

GOOD!  ME, TOO!

 

Enzymes break down gunk!

Think of all the oils, lotions, cosmetics, and other organics that get into your pool or spa.  (We're gonna call this "gunk" from here on out).  Remember the last time you had someone put on half a tube of sunscreen, then get in the pool and cause a rainbow oil slick on the surface of the water?  That is a PERFECT example of how gunk enters the  pool and forms gross "bathtub rings" at the water line. The gunk also goes through your circulation system and can get clogged in your filter.  This can lead to a poorly functioning filtration system.  YUCKO!  Don't worry!  There are ways to get rid of it! 

How do enzymes work?

Left to its own devices', gunk would break down eventually in chlorinated water.  However, it takes a very long time.  Enzymes work by jump starting the breakdown process.  Remember that "accelerate chemical reactions" part up top?  The enzymes give the gunk what it needs to break down faster and more completely.  This not only makes the pool and/or spa look good, but easier to run as well!  

But if I use chlorine, that should work to keep my pool clean...shouldn't it? 

Well...Yes & No 

Chlorine kills germs that can get us sick from pool and/or spa water.  This is technically the most important reason to have it in the water.  However, chlorine is not good at breaking down gunk like enzymes do.  Gunk uses up chlorine faster causing you to have to add more and more!  

So, what's the take away? 

In short, enzymes should be included as part of a proactive pool or spa care program to enhance the overall water quality, ease of operation and break down the gunk that chlorine isn't good at breaking down.

 

Do you have other water chemistry questions? 

Want to know more about enzymes? 

Let us know!

We LOVE to talk water chemistry!