Which type of pool shock is right for you?
- Calcium hypochlorite - or “cal hypo,” as the pros say, is a super-concentrated form of chlorine that’s sold in granular...
- Dichloroisocyanuric acid, also known as “dichlor,” is a formulation of chlorine and cyanuric acid. This product carries...
- Non chlorine shock. Sometimes shortened to “MPS,” this oxygen-based shock treatment...
How do you add shock to a pool?
- Needs to be dissolved before you add it to the pool.
- Must be used after dusk.
- Allow eight hours to pass after shocking before you can safely swim.
- Adds about 0.8 ppm of calcium to your water for every ppm of FC added.
What is the best pool shock?
The 5 Best Pool Shocks:
- In The Swim Chlorine Pool Shock — Best Overall. Our top pick for the best overall pool shock is the In The Swim Chlorine Pool Shock. ...
- Clorox Pool&Spa Shock Plus — Best Value. Clorox puts out an entire line of pool maintenance products. ...
- Doheny’s Super Pool Shock. ...
- Aqua-Chem Pool Shocks. ...
- Ultima Total Control 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. ...
What does shock do to pool water?
- Add it directly to your pool water at any time.
- Takes roughly 15 minutes to work before you can safely swim.
- Does not function as an algaecide.
When should I shock my pool?
After Days of Hot Weather During extended periods of hot weather, the temperature in your pool can rise, leading to bacteria growth and a decrease in the strength of your chlorine. After an extended period of hot, sunny weather, be sure to shock your pool.
Is shock and chlorine the same thing?
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 is the best way to shock a pool?
1:182:16How To SHOCK a Swimming POOL | Swim University - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou want to shock it at night or dusk. And let it run for eight hours overnight.MoreYou want to shock it at night or dusk. And let it run for eight hours overnight.
What does it mean to shock a pool?
The term, "Shocking” refers to the process of adding chlorine or non-chlorine chemicals to your pool in order to raise the "free chlorine” level to a point where contaminates such as algae, combined chlorine (also known as chloramines) and bacteria are destroyed.
Does Shocking a pool make it clear?
Adding a recommended dose of pool shock to your pool can clear it right up. Poor circulation or filtration can contribute to water clarity issues. Make sure your pump and filter are working properly.
How long does it take for pool to clear after shock?
Heavy shocking with granular chlorine will generally require 24-48 hours before the chlorine level has dropped to safe swimming levels (below 5 ppm). Lithium and Non-Chlorine shock labels typically allow immediate swimming, but check the package label, to be sure.
Is shock stronger than chlorine?
Similarities Between Liquid Chlorine & Powdered Shock Similarly, both forms have a higher concentration of available chlorine than those used in daily chlorination. They also both kill nearly all living microorganisms, bacteria and contaminants with ease.
How much is it to shock a pool?
How much shock do I need to shock my pool? A simple ratio and a standard rule of thumb to follow when you shock your pool is to dissolve one pound of either calcium hypochlorite or sodium dichlor for every 10,000 gallons of pool water.
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.
When to use shock treatment in pool?
While shock treatments can help balance the chemical levels in a pool, they are usually only used when the pool is nearing a level that cannot be saved with normal means. There are five things that a shock treatment will react to, each one leaving behind different carcasses that need to be handled.
Why do pools need shock treatment?
Usually, this is why you will find that pools need to be shocked as the temperatures change as well, as the sunlight through the day lasts longer. Adding a shock treatment at night will mean that the pool is ready and willing to stop anything from growing when the sun does eventually start to rise.
What is the name of the chemical that is used to make chlorine shock?
There are two main types of Chlorine shock (that is, shock containing Chlorine) which are Calcium Hypochlorite (often referred to as Cal-Hypo) and Dichloroisocyanuric acid (often referred to as Di-Chlor). Cal-Hypo is the one you will see for sale most often, primarily because it is not only the cheapest but strong too.
Why is it dangerous to add chlorine to a pool?
If you add too much shock, the water can become dangerous as the chlorine reacts with other chemicals in the water. The calcium in the shock can cause buildup, while the pool’s chlorine levels can stay high for more than a week, turning the pool dangerous to be in.
How does shock affect chlorine levels?
Shock increases the free chlorine level. There are two ways that shock increases the free chlorine levels within a pool. The first way is by adding more chlorine to the pool. The second is by reacting to the stored, combined chlorine already in the pool’s water, releasing it.
What does shock do to a pool?
But exactly what does pool shock do? Pool shock increases the total amount of free chlorine in your pool, either by adding more chlorine or other shock chemicals that break apart combined chlorine . The increased level of free chlorine then destroys contaminants such as algae, bacteria and chloramines.
Why do you use pool shock?
This is often used because it does not need to dissolve into the pool water; it is already a liquid and starts reacting immediately. The last type of pool shock contains no chlorine but oxygen instead and is only used if you want to go swimming soon after adding it to the pool.
When to use shock treatment in pool?
You’ll also want to apply shock treatment when opening the pool, and closing it down for the season. On opening, after you’ve balanced it’s pH level, shocking will sanitize and oxidize the pool, restoring its clear water. On closing, pool shock is used as a disinfectant to prepare the pool for the winter months.
What is pool shock?
Pool shock is a “super dose” of granular pool chlorine that oxidizes chloramines (combined chlorine) and kills bacteria in the water. Shocking depletes combined chlorine and increases free chlorine . If your chlorine levels are low, a chlorinated shock is required.
What is non chlorine shock?
Non-Chlorine Shock: Also known as Potassium Monopersulfate (MPS), this is a chlorine-free shock that oxidizes contaminants, but won’t rid the pool of bacteria. Compared to chlorinated shock, you can use MPS shock at any time of day and be swimming in the pool 15 minutes later.
What does shocking mean in a pool?
Pool shocking doesn’t mean sending 5000 volts of electricity through the water (although that would be pretty cool to see). However, what it does refer to is the rebalancing of pool chlorine levels, keeping the pool water safe to swim in.
Why is my pool water cloudy?
Clearing up cloudy water: Pools can get cloudy from insufficient chlorine, or an abundance of chlorine. The sweet spot for chlorine levels is between 1 and 3 ppm. Cloudy water is usually the result of an imbalance in pool water chemistry, and shocking the pool is an easy way to restore clarity to your pool’s water.
How many gallons of shock to superchlorinate pool?
As discussed earlier, the bigger the pool, the more bags of shock that will be required to superchlorinate the water. If this sounds like your pool (anything 30,000 gallons and up), repeat this process as necessary.
How to test pool water for shock?
Step 1. Test & Balance Your Water. Before you add shock treatment, you need to test your pool water and balance its levels. The pH level should be between 7.2 and 7.6, with total alkalinity being between 80 and 120 ppm. Pool water testing is easy to do using test strips or liquid test kits.
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 ...
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.
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.
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.
Is chlorine safe to swim in?
Chlorine levels will fluctuate depending on the bather load and contaminants in your pool water. Pool chlorine is engineered to attack and kill bacteria so the pool is safe to swim, but will also bind to ammonia in water, forming chloramines.
When to shock a 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.
Why is my pool shocking?
The most common reason for shocking your pool or spa is to deal with combined chlorine. There are three measurements of chlorine in pool or spa water: free chlorine, combined chlorine, and total chlorine.
What happens when it rains in a pool?
Also, as the rain is falling through the air, it picks up contaminants such as pollen and pollutants and dumps them in your pool. Heavy rain may cause ground runoff to empty into your pool. Thou shalt shock if thy combined chlorine level is at .5 or higher.
What is shocking chlorine?
Shocking is the process of adding chemicals (usually chlorine) to your pool to: break apart chloramines, also known as combined chlorine. quickly raise your chlorine level. kill algae, bacteria or other harmful pathogens. Chloramines Bad, Free Chlorine Good.
How much free chlorine should I use for a breakpoint?
As a rule, you will need to raise free chlorine to 10 times your combined chlorine to hit what is known as “break point.”. Therefore, it is good to deal with combined chlorine while it is still small. The formula for hitting breakpoint can get a little complicated, so we suggest you talk to your pool professional.
How much chlorine should I use to get rid of algae?
When this happens, you want to quickly get your chlorine level back up to the recommended 3-5ppm (parts per million) before algae or bacteria can gain a foothold. If this is the case, you will want to use a chlorine shock.
