How To Shock A Pool
- Test & Balance Your Water. Before you add shock treatment, you need to test your pool water and balance its levels. ...
- Suit Up. Anytime you’re using pool chemicals, you want to practice good safety protocols. Wearing the appropriate protective attire is a must.
- Do Some Math. Next up is determining the amount of shock needed for your pool. As a general rule, 1 lb. ...
- Make A Shocking Solution. If using granular shock, you’ll need a 5 gallon bucket for this part. ...
- Add Shock To The Pool. If using dissolved granular shock, make your way around the perimeter of the pool and slowly pour the solution into the water.
- Repeat (If Necessary) As discussed earlier, the bigger the pool, the more bags of shock that will be required to superchlorinate the water.
What is the Best Shock Treatment for pools?
- 40-lbs Of Pool Shock
- Ideal For Use In Swimming Pools
- Kills Algae And Destroys Bacteria
What is the best swimming pool shock?
- Algaecide and pool shock all in one
- Easy to use granular product in a bottle
- Works to prevent algae after the shock
What is the best type of pool shock?
- Clears Cloudy Water
- Fast-Dissolving Pool Shock
- Six 13.4 oz Bags Of Pool Shock
When to shock a pool?
When To Shock Your Pool
- You Can Smell Chlorine. Pools that reek of chlorine are trying to tell you something: they are lacking in chlorine. ...
- There Was A Surge In Pool Use. People love a good pool party. ...
- There Was Heavy Rain. ...
- Your Water Temperature Soared. ...
- You Just Opened or Closed Your Pool. ...
When should shock be added to 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.
How much shock do I add to my pool?
Light Green or Teal Pool Water: In this case, you should double shock your swimming pool water. To double shock, you will need to add 2 pounds for every 10,000 gallons of water. For instance, if you pool is 20,000 gallons, you will add 4 pounds of shock.
Should pool pump be on when adding shock?
Ensure the pool pump is running. Pour the mixture from the bucket into the water around the edges of the pool. Let the pump run for about 6 hours or more and test the water. Don't use the pool right away – wait for the free chlorine levels to drop to 1 – 3 ppm before it is safe to swim.
Do you run filter when shocking pool?
Run the filtration system While shocking your pool will help kill any germs any algae, it won't actually get rid of them; for that, you need your filter. So be sure to run your pool filter for at least 24 hours.
What happens if you put too much shock in a pool?
Although, if you overdo the shock treatment, you risk getting green hair from chlorine due to the excess chlorine oxidizing the copper in the water. You can execute a shock treatment with a few different types of pool shock, just be mindful of how much you're using.
Is there a difference between chlorine and shock?
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.
Should I brush pool before shocking?
Before you start pouring shock in the pool, the first step is to brush the sides and floor of your pool to loosen all the algae. Doing this breaks the skin and allows the pool shock to more easily kill the algae. Once you've done this, it is important to make sure you have the proper pH level in your water.
Do you turn pump off when shocking pool?
To circulate the water, turn on your pump and filter system. Fill your pool with the shock/water mixture and surround the perimeter with it. When you shock your system, allow your pump filter system to run overnight. Pick a time at dusk or night when your pump system will not be used.
How soon after I shock my pool Can I vacuum it?
24 hoursVacuuming After Shocking However, after shocking the pool, you shouldn't vacuum for at least 24 hours. Running the water pump during this period will allow the shock to do its job.
How long do you run a pool pump after adding shock?
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.
How long does the pump need to run after adding shock?
With non-chlorine shock, 15 minutes is sufficient with the pump running. With using a chlorine shock, it depends on how, and what, you were “shocking” for. A maintenance dose per say, one would only need to wait approximately 4 hours with the pump running.
Why did my pool get cloudy after I shocked it?
High doses of chlorine, like pool shock, can cause temporary cloudiness as it kills contaminants. High levels of pH, alkalinity, and calcium hardness are more likely to cause cloudy water.
How to get shock out of pool?
Step 1. Test the Water. Using a water test kit or test strips, ensure that the pH level is in the proper range. Step 2. Circulate the Water. Turn on your pump and filter system to circulate the water. Now, pour the shock/water mixture around the inside perimeter of your pool.
What is pool shock?
Now, let’s discuss the three types of pool shock. Cal-Hypo - Calcium Hypochlorite pool shock is a powerful and effective form of chlorine. It quickly kills algae and contaminants and is ideal for pools with a normal-to-low pH level. This is because Cal-Hypo contains a high pH level (10.8) and contains calcium, which can contribute to ...
What happens if your chlorine level is 0.3?
Remove Chloramines: If your Total Available Chlorine level is 0.3 ppm or higher above your Free Available Chlorine level, it's time to shock the pool. This will break down the inactive Combined Chlorine in the water. Fecal Incident: If there's been a fecal accident or other unsanitary incident, close the pool for swimming.
Why shock a pool?
Shocking a pool is part of regular maintenance during the warmer months. It is also done throughout the entire year, just less often during cooler months. Pool owners and pool service professionals shock a pool to “super-chlorinate” the water. Shocking a swimming pool will destroy bacteria, algae and organic waste that regular chlorination may have ...
When opening a pool, should you shock it?
Opening & Closing: When opening your pool, it's recommended that you shock it after balancing the other chemicals. This will oxidize the particles, kill bacteria, and clarify the water. When it's time to close your pool, shocking will help fight off contaminants over the long winter months.
Does di chlorosis raise pH?
Di-Chlor - Dichloro-S-Triazinetrione pool shock is a fast dissolving solution and will not raise the pH level. Di-Chlor also will not cloud the pool water. Just keep in mind that this type of chlorine pool shock contains CYA, which will increase the residual CYA level over time.
Can heavy pool water be contaminated?
Heavy Pool Usage: When pools are used by a large number of people in a short amount of time, the water can become contaminated in a variety of ways. Shocking after parties or other unexpected contaminations is highly recommended.
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 ...
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.
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.
Why does chlorine in a pool fluctuate?
Pool chlorine is designed to eliminate any existing bacteria in the pool so that it is healthy for people to swim. But it also attaches itself to ammonia in the pool, which creates terrible chemicals called chloramines.
What is the chemical that attaches to a pool?
But it also attaches itself to ammonia in the pool, which creates terrible chemicals called chloramines. The ammonia is a product of the sweat, urine, fertilizers, sunscreen lotions, bird droppings, and other exterior radicals that find their way into the pool. If you want a clean pool, you must break the chlorine bond (chloramine) and shock it.
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 does a pool shock pump last?
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.
What is shock in a pool?
What is Shock? As the name suggests, shock usually refers to chemical products designed to create an instant and substantial impact in any swimming pool or hot tub. In almost all cases, shock relates to a concentrated chlorine supplement, but it can also refer to chlorine-free alternatives that fulfil a similar task.
How does shock treatment work?
Shock treatments work quickly to dramatically raise the water’s chlorine level, allowing it to clean the pool effectively. Once you’re back on top of your pool’s cleanliness, you can enable chlorine levels to return to their normal level.
What is shock chlorine?
A shock chlorine supplement differs substantially from the regular chlorine chemicals that you will use in day-to-day pool maintenance, so you must ensure you are buying the right product. Shock products are commonly labelled as such, but the most common version is a chemical known as Sodium Hypochlorite.
What is the best way to maintain a swimming pool?
Alongside using sanitisers such as chlorine, a crucial part of swimming pool maintenance is the use of shock treatments . These treatments can be beneficial for providing quick and effective balancing for your pool, especially during heavy use. However, the nature of these chemicals means that you must know how to use them safely and effectively.
How to get a pool clean?
If your pool gets to this stage, the most effective way of getting it clean is by using a shock treatment. When a lot of algae develops in the pool, you’ll need more chlorine than usual to combat the unwelcome visitors. Shock treatments work quickly to dramatically raise the water’s chlorine level, allowing it to clean the pool effectively.
What is the role of chemicals in a pool?
Chemicals play a considerable role in keeping your swimming pool clean, healthy and safe. A routine will help to keep your pool’s chemical balance in check, but there will likely come a time when more robust measures are required. Alongside using sanitisers such as chlorine, a crucial part of swimming pool maintenance is the use of shock treatments.
How does chlorine work?
Chlorine works by attaching itself to algae and other dirt. This process kills the algae, but also creates something known as ‘combined chlorine’ which can build up over time. Raising the chlorine level through shocking is a way to remove combined chlorine from the pool, further helping to keep your pool clean.
How to add shock to a pool?
Usually you can add the product directly to your pool, but if you have a vinyl or fiberglass pool, you will most likely need to dilute it to prevent staining. 6. Turn down the salt cell system.
What is the best shock for a pool?
There are a lot of good pool shock products out there (including liquid chlorine and non-chlorine shock), but here's one we really recommend: Calcium hypochlorite, or cal-hypo as it is often called in the pool industry, is the leader is shock products because is the most powerful and fastest working shock available.
How long does a shock last in a pool?
Turn down the salt cell system. If you’ve reached the recommended chlorine level for your pool, the shock should last several days , so you can turn down your saltwater pool system—also called salt chlorinators or chlorine generators —for a while.
Why is my pool water so hard to clean?
1. Running your pool’s super-chlorinate feature too often is hard on the motor and will cause it to wear out faster. 2. The super-chlorinate feature will not always kill all the algae or clean up the pool water as effectively as pool shock.
What is the best way to kill algae in a pool?
Chlorine is the most effective treatment to kill algae— black algae, a green pool, etc.—and it’s best to kill it at the first sign of a bloom. Whether you notice small spots or a complete overgrowth, it’s time to shock the pool.
What is the chlorine level in a saltwater pool?
There you have it: everything you need to know about shocking a saltwater pool! Remember to never swim while shocking or super-chlorinating your saltwater pool, continue to test your pool’s water chemistry levels, and don’t allow anyone in until the chlorine level is between 1.0 and 3.0 ppm! Post navigation.
How to keep algae blooms out of pool?
Here are just a few quick tips to keep it from becoming a problem: 1. Keep your pool chemistry levels balanced. 2. Brush and vacuum your pool regularly. 3.
What does shock do to a pool?
What does pool shock do? Adding pool shock to your pool is kind of like power-washing your swimming pool water. By adding higher-than-normal dose of pool sanitizer to your pool water, you’re effectively killing algae, bacteria, and other contaminants -- and making sure they can’t come back to affect your water quality.
Is calcium hypochloride good for pools?
Calcium hypochloride - or “cal hypo,” as the pros say, is a super-concentrated form of chlorine that’s sold in granule or tablet form, and you need to pre-dissolve it before adding it to your pool. It’s super-affordable -- and super-effective at killing algae and harmful bacteria.
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.
