How to Shock Your Pool
Below is a great article from Leisure Pools on How/Why you shock your pool!
What Does it Mean to Shock Your Pool?
When you shock a pool, you are raising the level of the free chlorine by adding chlorine or non-chlorine chemicals to the water. The chlorine level needs to be raised to the point where algae, chloramines, and other bacteria and contaminants are destroyed.
Just because a pool smells strongly of chlorine doesn’t mean it is clean. In reality, when a pool is clean, it is virtually odor-free. If the chlorine smell is strong, that is a sign the water is improperly treated.
When Should I Shock my Backyard Pool?
There are three general rules of thumb here:
Shock the pool when algae begins to grow.
Shock the pool when the free chlorine level of your pool is zero.
Shock the pool when the chloramines or combined chlorine level rises in excess of 0.5 parts per million (ppm)
Typically speaking, you should shock your pool every couple of weeks during the swimming season. Also, you should shock your pool when the water tests outside of the recommended free chlorine levels of 1-3 ppm. Chlorine levels are raised by shocking the pool.
Experts also recommend shocking your pool under these circumstances:
1) On opening day. Before anyone jumps into your pool at the start of the swimming season, be sure to clean and shock your pool. Algae will most likely have grown over the winter months.
2) When you have a party. Are friends and family expected for a big pool party? Just remember that everyone who enters your pool brings bacteria with them. During heavy use, the when repeated on end – can alter the chemistry of the water, causing dangerous bacteria and contaminants to grow as the heat intensifies. Shock your pool to disrupt the combined chlorine and restore it to free chlorine.
3) On closing day. Those warm and sunny days eventually come to an end for the season. When you are ready to close down your backyard pool for the winter months ahead, be sure to clean it and shock it. This will give you a head-start when the pool season rolls around again next year.
Types of Chlorine
When you are testing the chlorine level of your pool, it is important to know the differences in how chlorine is classified: free, combined, and total.
What is free chorine?
This is the chlorine required to sanitize and disinfect the pool water.
What is combine chlorine?
This is the chlorine required to sanitize and disinfect the pool water.
What is total chlorine?
This is the total amount of chlorine, which includes the free and combined chlorine.
How to Shock Your Backyard Pool
Shocking your pool is not as difficult as it may seem. First, you have to uncover your pool, skim it, vacuum and sediment and brush the walls, floor, and coves. Before you add any shock, protect yourself by wearing protective goggles, gloves, and work clothes.
First, ensure the pH levels in your backyard pool are balanced.
Next, prepare the shock in advance. Use a five-gallon bucket of pool water and stir.
Then, make sure the pool pump is running. Pour the contents of the bucket into the water around the edges of the pool.
Finally, allow the pool pump to run for roughly six hours (or a bit more!) and then test the water. The free chlorine levels should be at 1-3 ppm before you get into the pool.
Once the water tests appropriately, then you can jump in and enjoy the water.
If you have any questions or concerns about shocking your backyard pool, give us a call at All Around Town Outdoor Services. A clean and healthy pool is a happy pool and will allow you to enjoy a “life of leisure” every day.
*This information was provided by Leisure Pools one of our brand providers.