Every pool is different, and pools don't need to be shocked, unless they need to be shocked – to remove bacteria, algae, chloramines
Chloramine
Chloramines are derivatives of ammonia by substitution of one, two or three hydrogen atoms with chlorine atoms: monochloramine, dichloramine, and nitrogen trichloride. The term chloramine also refers to a family of organic compounds with the formulas R₂NCl and RNCl₂.
Do I need to shock my Pool after every use?
Every pool is different, and pools don't need to be shocked, unless they need to be shocked – to remove bacteria, algae, chloramines or other contaminants, or to help clear cloudy pool water or some other water problem. You can test for chloramines and you can see algae, but bacteria and other pathogens are invisible. Click to see full answer
What does shocking a pool mean?
Is shocking Pool necessary? Every pool is different, and pools don't need to be shocked, unless they need to be shocked – to remove bacteria, algae, chloramines or other contaminants, or to help clear cloudy pool water or some other water problem. You can test for chloramines and you can see algae, but bacteria and other pathogens are invisible.
How much chlorine does it take to shock a pool?
May 12, 2021 · However, I never shock my pool. I only use Perfect Weekly for maintenance and the 3" Chlorine tabs and immediately fill them whey they run out. Everytime i go to my local pool store for free water testing, its always at 90% health and the guys really impressed but my Chlorine is always close to 0, which is an easy fix is what they say.
Does Home Depot shock pools?
Jul 11, 2020 · Shocking your pool is an important part of your regular maintenance routine. When you shock your pool, you are essentially adding more chlorine (or non-chlorine chemicals) to raise the level of free chlorine in the pool. When your free chlorine levels are too low, bacteria, algae, and chloramines begin to overwhelm your pool and make it unsanitary.
What happens if you don't shock your pool?
If you don't shock your pool, the chloramines may increase in your pool water and if this level continues to rise, you would have to replace a part or all of your pool water. Having more chloramines will also make your pool water cloudy.Oct 14, 2019
What is the purpose of shocking a pool?
"Shocking” refers to the process of adding chlorine or non-chlorine pool chemicals to the water in order to raise the "free chlorine” level. The goal is to raise this level to a point where contaminants such as algae, chloramines and bacteria are destroyed.
When should I put shock in my pool?
The ideal time to shock your pool is in the evening after all swimming is complete. In the evening because the sun will not be boiling the chlorine out of your pool, and after everyone is done swimming because shocking is going to bring the chlorine level up to a level that may be irritating to skin and eyes.
Do I need chlorine and shock in my pool?
Do I need to use both? Chlorine is a sanitizer, and (unless you use Baquacil products) is necessary for maintaining a clear and healthy pool. Shock is chlorine, in a high dose, meant to shock your pool and raise the chlorine level quickly.
What can I use instead of pool shock?
Shock. Common unscented household bleach (sodium hypochlorite) works well to shock a pool. To increase the chlorine level by 5ppm in a 10,000 gallon pool, you would need 1/2 Gallon of basic household bleach.May 7, 2020
How long should I run my pool pump after shocking?
A pool filter should be run for a minimum of 6 hours after shocking a swimming pool. This is to allow the filter to clean the water and give the shock enough time to fully mix with the pool water. Running the filter after shocking for 24 hours to 7 days is necessary if the pool has a large amount of algae.
Should I shock pool after rain?
Shocking your pool isn't necessary, although, it's not a bad idea either. If you get an extremely heavy rain fall, you could shock your pool for good measure. This will help fight off any contaminants that the rain may have brought to your pool.Jan 23, 2017
Can you shock a pool during the day?
The best time of day to shock pool is when the sun is down. So, experts recommend shocking your pool in the evening or at night, to make sure it does its job. Shocking during the day can be ineffective as UV rays from direct sunlight significantly reduce free chlorine levels.Jan 15, 2019
What happens if you put too much shock in your pool?
Adding too much shock or overshocking your pool will kill off algae. The negative of adding too much shock is it will upset the chemical balance of your pool. It's likely to do that regardless of if you overshocked the pool or not. The pH will either go up or down depending on which product you used.
Do I add chlorine or shock first?
This is because when you mix chlorine and algaecide together, it renders both of them useless. Hence, you should first shock the pool and wait for the chlorine levels to fall below 5 PPM.Jan 22, 2020
What's the difference between shock and chlorine?
Liquid chlorine and granular shock have the same active chemical that sanitizes your pool, what changes is the strength and the way you use it. Liquid chlorine is less costly, unstabilized and comes in liquid form. Granular shock is stabilized and comes in a solid form that dissolves in your pool.
How do you keep a pool clean without chlorine?
3 Ways to Sanitize Your Pool without the Typical Chlorine RisksSalt sanitizers (“saltwater pool”) In recent years, saltwater sanitizers have become a popular alternative to off-the-shelf chlorine for treating water in swimming pools. ... Ozone pool purification. ... Ultraviolet pool sanitizing light.Jan 18, 2016
Why do you shock a pool?
After you have balanced the other chemicals, you can shock the pool so that you can eliminate any bacteria, make the water clear, and oxidize any particles. Lastly, if you have many people use the pool at once for a party, the water can get contaminated quicker. It is also essential to shock it after these events too.
What is pool shock?
A pool shock is a project of inputting chlorine or non-chlorine chemicals to your swimming pool to raise your level of free chlorine. When your free chlorine levels are too low, bacteria, algae, and chloramines begin to crowd your swimming pool and make it unsanitary. By shocking your pool consistently, you can create the right amount ...
How long should you let a pool shock pass before swimming?
This chemical, also known as cal hypo, is one of the more affordable and practical strategies to shock your pool. You can usually find this at the store in a granular condition. When you are using this type of pool shock, it must get dissolved before adding to the pool. You should always be used after dusk to let at least eight hours pass before you can swim again.
What happens when a pool is flooded?
While the storm is occurring, your swimming pool will get contaminated by rainwater, debris, and dust. Algae outbreaks are also a key signal for pool shocking. When the algae begin to pop up, you should utilize a shock type with extra chlorination or other cal hypo alternatives. You should also make sure to shock your pool when you are opening ...
How long should a pool shock pump run?
Once you input the pool shock into the water, you can be patient and allow the pump to keep running for at least six hours. After you have let the time pass, you can then test the water once again to confirm the optimal chlorine levels are present in the pool.
Why does my pool smell like chlorine?
A potent smell of chlorine usually means that the water has been improperly treated, but it does not necessarily give you the signal when it is time to clean the pool.
What is a Pool Shock?
So, what is pool shock, exactly? "Shocking” refers to the process of adding chlorine or non-chlorine pool chemicals to the water in order to raise the "free chlorine” level. The goal is to raise this level to a point where contaminants such as algae, chloramines and bacteria are destroyed.
Types of Chlorine
As you learn how to shock a pool, it's vital to understand the difference between the types of chlorine .
How to Shock the Pool
When you’re shocking a pool, the goal is to raise the free chlorine level of the pool water to roughly 10 times the combined chlorine level. Reaching this mark is the breakpoint chlorination.
Types of Pool Shock
There are several types of products you can use to shock the pool. Typically, you will not use regular chlorine tablets as pool shock chlorine.
Shocking Saltwater Pools
Saltwater pools need to be shocked, too. Saltwater pools use regular table salt to create chlorine, by passing the slightly salty water over two electrically charged plates. How often you need to shock a saltwater pool is no different from when to shock other chlorine pools.
How Often to Shock Your Pool
How will you know when to shock a pool? Don’t wait for a bad smell or eye irritation before you shock your pool. It's recommended that you should do a pool shock once a week. The more you use the pool, the more often you need to shock it.
