As a pool expert, I have seen many people make the mistake of leaving pool toys and floats in the pool for extended periods of time. While it may seem harmless, this can actually cause serious damage to your pool and even pose a risk to your health. Most inflatable pools and floats are made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a synthetic plastic polymer that is widely produced and used in various products. To make it more flexible, manufacturers often add plasticizers such as phthalates. However, this material is not meant to be exposed to sunlight and chlorinated water for long periods of time. When PVC is exposed to these elements, it tends to soften and decay.
This can lead to cracks or tears in the material, which can then chip off small strips into the water. These small pieces can then enter and clog your filtration system, causing damage and reducing its efficiency. But the dangers of leaving pool toys in the pool don't end there. PVC is also not recyclable, which means that once it starts to break down, it will remain in the environment for a very long time. This can have negative impacts on both human health and the environment.
