To most people, the smell of chlorine in a pool means that the pool has been treated with chlorine and is thus clean. The truth is, however, that a clean pool should have no smell at all. The smell of chlorine in the pool means it\u2019s poorly treated with the smell being from combined chlorine (chloramines). Combined chlorine will form when the chlorine in the pool mixes up with nitrogen from urine, oils and sweat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The solution to this is shocking the pool. Essentially, you will be adding chemicals (often chlorine) into the pool to increase the amount of free chlorine in the water. The result is that the new chemical state of the water will not be conducive to contaminants such as bacteria, chloramines and algae. Knowing when and how to shock a pool is important to get the desired results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Shocking a pool refers to the process of adding chemicals with or without chlorine to the swimming pool to raise the level of free chlorine in the water. Pool shocking changes the chemical state of the pool and makes it non-conducive to contaminants such as chloramines, algae and bacteria. It also helps restore the natural odorless smell of the pool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You should shock your pool in the following cases:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Shocking a pool is what is often called treating the pool. You shouldn\u2019t just shock your pool because you\u2019ve sensed a chlorine smell. Rather, getting a measure of the amount of free and combined chlorine is the best way to go about it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The different types of chlorine in the pool are as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The pool shocking procedure thus aims to add free chlorine to the water till the breakpoint chlorination level is attained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The process of shocking a swimming pool is a follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before you determine whether to shock the pool or not, and how much of the pool shock you will be using, you should test it out first. You will be simply testing the pH levels of the water with a water testing kit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ensure that the kit measures the amount of total chlorine and free chlorine in the water. With the total chlorine and free chlorine values, you can obtain the level of combined chlorine by subtracting the free chlorine from the total chlorine. This value helps you determine how much free chlorine you need to add to the pool to reach the breakpoint chlorination level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Using the pH values and the amount of free chlorine needed for the pool, check the dosage amount on the pack of the pool shock of choice to determine the amount of the pool shock you will need to restore the pH level of the swimming pool. If you’re using a pool shock that\u2019s not labeled (such as bleach), the procedure is stated below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After calculating the amount of pool shock needed for your pool, mix it up in a five-gallon bucket or other fitting container in readiness for the next step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Start the pool pump to keep the water in circulation. Given that the swimming pool is a large water body that can’t be stirred thoroughly with a stick or such other object, you should have the pump do the stirring for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stir the pool shock in the bucket one last time then slowly pour it into the pool around the edges. You should be able to pour it into the pool at least around the whole pool or at the corners to an ensure even distribution of the chemicals in the pool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With the addition of the pool shock to the water, let the water pump run for at least six hours. This is enough time to totally mix the water with the pool shock to attain the breakpoint chlorination level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After six or more hours, test the water with the water testing kit used above to determine the pH level and the amounts of free chlorine and the total chlorine in it. If you\u2019ve attained the breakpoint chlorination level, the procedure is a success. One way to know this is if the amount of combined chlorine is below 0.2 ppm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before using your pool again, test it and only use it when the levels of chlorine have dropped to at least 3ppm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When testing the water after the procedure, always make sure the breakpoint chlorination level is reached. If not, you run the risk of having a higher amount of combined chlorine in the pool than before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whether you have a freshwater or saltwater swimming pool, don\u2019t use chlorine tablets to shock your pool as they don\u2019t work. They only serve to change the pH of the water without any other meaningful results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some of the most common types of pool shock on the market include the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Liquid chlorine is the most popular type of pool shock due to its convenience and cost-effectiveness. The important aspects about liquid chlorine as a pool shock include the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Liquid chlorine is easy to use and isn’t poisonous hence safe for humans and aquatic life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cal hypo is among the most used types of pool shock thanks to it being convenient and affordable. Most cal hypo is sold as a pack of granules. The important aspects about cal hypo are as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Store cal hypo is a dry place to avoid getting damp and wet which reduces it effectiveness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While cal hypo is favored for being inexpensive and convenient, dichlor is chosen for being safe and extremely easy to use. The important aspects about dichlor as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dichlor is easily available in shops and has the advantage of remaining effective even when mixed right before being used.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lithium hypochlorite is a bit costly compared to the rest of the pool shocks on this list. The important aspects about it are as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Given that lithium hypochlorite affects aquatic life, it\u2019s not advisable to use it often. Use it only as a last resort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Potassium preoxymonosulfate is among the few pool shocks that don\u2019t have chlorine in them. The aspects to know about it include the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If algae isn’t a problem to your pool, this is the most convenient type of pool shock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Household bleach has the same sodium hypochlorite found in pool chlorine although at different concentrations. While the chlorine in the pool has a sodium hypochlorite concentration between 10% and 5%, household bleach\u2019s concentration is between 5% and 6%. The important things to know about using bleach as a pool shock include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The ideal way to shock a pool is when the pump is running. In some cases, you may not have the pump running for some reason or the other. For such cases, stir the water with a pole or other large object to ensure the even distribution of the pool shock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pros<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Cons<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n If the pump is in working condition, always use it to effect the shocking process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After adding the pool shock to the water, the filter pump should be run for at least 8 hours. This is enough to clean out the dirt such as the dead algae and properly mix up the shock in the pool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For most types of pool shocks, the best time is at dusk or towards morning. The aim is to avoid the sun as sunlight disintegrates the chlorine in the shock. As such, shocking the pool during the day is less effective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can\u2019t overshock a pool although too much chemicals in the water can be harmful to your body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most types of shock pool will require that you swim in the pool after at least 8 hours from the time of shocking it. The factors determining this period include the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The chemicals added to the pool to shock it can be dangerous to the skin, eyes and other parts of the body if they come into contact with your body. Chlorine chemicals can damage the eyes as they\u2019ll irritate them once in contact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Always have first aid for any painful or itchy areas after using a shocked pool to avoid further injuries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You need to shock your pool at least once a week. the factors that determine how often you should shock your swimming pool include the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Generally, the cleaner the pool is, the lower the shocking frequency needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\nHow long Should you Run Filter after Shocking Pool?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What is the Time of Day to Shock Pool?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Can you Overshock a Pool?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How long after Shocking a Pool can you Swim?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What happens if you Swim in a Shocked Pool?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How often to shock Pool?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n