It is highly recommended to shock dose your pool when: - First filling up your pool. - Sighting any signs of algae or slime. - After any period of heavy use. - After any loss of water clarity or quality. - After a heavy rainfall. - At the end and beginning of each season.
How much chlorine should be in a pool before you shock?
Jun 11, 2021 · Shocking the pool to 30 ppm of free chlorine residual, in the presence of proper pH levels, will destroy most algae. For best results, vacuum the pool before shocking and brushed after shocking. Filter nonstop, backwashing as needed, and use pool clarifier if needed. Algae can require large amounts of chlorine for a complete removal.
What should I do before adding shock to my Pool?
Shocking your pool is a great way to bring things back into balance.You’ll enjoy the pleasures of swimming in crystal clear pool water by regularly maintaining and shocking your pool. Shocking your pool breaks up combined chlorine (chlorine + contaminants). Account In Ground Above Ground Commercial Warranty Registration Manuals & Care
What is pool chlorine shock and how does it work?
Dec 05, 2020 · Pool chlorine shock is a high concentration of chlorine in a single dose. The idea behind shocking your pool is to quickly elevate the level of free chlorine in the pool, effectively killing all germs and contaminants. As stated earlier, a residual level of “day to day” chlorine is kept in the pool at all times, which gives you round the clock sanitization of the water.
When is the best time to shock a pool?
Apr 20, 2021 · 6. Shock treat the pool using a quality non-chlorine shock. The shock treatment will destroy organic wastes in the water and keep them from interfering with the sanitizer or acting as a food source for algae. It will also help give the water "polished" look. 7.
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Feb 18, 2022 · This will help avoid algae overgrowth. Other times to shock your pool include: When the chlorine level drops below 3ppm; Before using the pool for the season ; Before covering the pool for the winter ; After heavy wind or rain ; When spotting algae for the first time ; After heavy pool usage ; Summing Up. Pool shocking is a decisive part of pool maintenance. …
Do you shock a pool first before chlorine?
1:152:16How To SHOCK a Swimming POOL | Swim University - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo that's it all you want to do is you want to pre-dissolve each bag in a bucket of water that meansMoreSo that's it all you want to do is you want to pre-dissolve each bag in a bucket of water that means water first then put in the shock mix it up with a stick.
Do I need to add chlorine after I shock my pool?
It Should Not Be Done Together 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 chemicals should I put in my pool first?
Chemicals Needed for Pool Start UpsStain & Scale Preventer.Granular Shock Chlorine.Chlorine Tablets.pH Increaser and/or pH Decreaser.Alkalinity and/or Calcium Increaser.Cyanuric Acid (Stabilizer)Algaecide and Clarifiers if needed.Complete Test Kit or Test Strips.
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.
Is pool shock the same as chlorine?
Are chlorine and shock the same thing? SKIMMER NOTES: No. Chlorine and shock are not the same thing. Shock has a more intense chemical strength than the traditional chlorine sanitizers, and it also differs in how you should apply it to your swimming pool.
How much chlorine do I add to my pool for the first time?
If the water is clean and clear, then add about 3 oz of liquid chlorine per 1000 gallons of water – while the pool filter is running. This should give you a chlorine level of about 3 ppm.Nov 20, 2018
How do I treat my pool for the first time?
How to Open a PoolStep 1: Clean up debris and check for wear and tear. ... Step 2: Inventory your pool chemicals. ... Step 3: Remove the Cover. ... Step 4: Inspect the Pool. ... Step 5: Fill Pool to Middle of Waterline Tile and Do Final Debris Removal. ... Step 6: Turn on the Pool Filter and Test the Water.
How do I shock my pool for the first time?
How do I shock my pool?Check that the pH levels in your pool are balanced.Prepare shock ahead of time in a 5-gallon bucket of pool water and stir.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.
How to shock a pool?
How to Shock the Pool 1 Clean the Pool. Leaves and debris on the floor and surface will waste your chlorine’s killing power, as it attacks these organic materials, rather than the A-B-C problem that we are trying to correct. 2 Lower the pH. Chlorine is very sluggish at high pH levels. At a pH of 8.0, less than half of the chlorine you add to the water will convert to hypochlorous acid, the killing form of chlorine. Lower the pH to 7.2 before shocking. 3 Read the Label. We have 8 different types of pool shock, all with slightly different dosages. For some pool shock, dilution in a bucket is necessary to dissolve the granules, to prevent damage to pool surfaces. 4 Add the Shock. Distribute the granular chlorine throughout the pool surface, with the pool pump running. Be careful not to spill any on your clothing or the pool deck, and don’t broadcast it into the wind! 5 Brush the Pool. This helps to distribute the chemical, and removes the layer of dust and film on your pool surfaces, which may allow some contaminants to escape treatment. A good brushing, vacuuming and backwashing should follow an algae shock treatment.
What is the level of chlorine in a pool?
For a level at 0.3 ppm CAC, add enough chlorine to reach a level of 30 ppm in the pool. Chloramines, also known as Combined Chlorine, occur when a chlorine molecule combines with ammonia or nitrogen in the pool water. The attachment makes the molecule sluggish, and it becomes ineffective as a sanitizer.
What does it mean when your pool smells like chlorine?
Although it seems counter intuitive, when your pool smells strongly of chlorine, chloramine bonds are likely at a high level, and a good pool shock is needed. There is another way to determine chloramine levels, however. Using a DPD test kit will allow you to measure both FAC and Total Available Chlorine (TAC).
How to remove algae from pool?
Using mechanical methods is usually necessary – brushing the walls and floor, vacuuming and backwashing, to remove algae cells from the pool, and flush them out of the system . 2). Kill Bacteria.
What is free available chlorine?
Free Available Chlorine (FAC) is an attractive target for ammonia and nitrogen that gets into the pool water. When combined, FAC becomes ineffective as a sanitizer and causes eye irritation, or red eyes.
How much chlorine should I use to remove chloramines?
To effectively remove chloramines, many sources say that you need 10x the amount of combined chlorine, but for complete removal I may double that amount, to compensate for stabilizer (cyanuric acid) levels, or after active pool use, or when treating algae.
What can enter a pool from a swimmer?
Bacteria, fungus, protozoa and viruses and even parasites can enter the pool water from swimmer waste or from organic contaminants. Chlorine pool shocks in the correct amount kill these organisms by attacking the cell wall, which exposes vital cell constituents and terminates cell function.
When is it time to shock a pool?
When is it time to shock your pool? Every couple of weeks during the swimming season. When your pool is outside of the recommended free chlorine levels of 1-3 ppm. Shocking your pool will raise the chlorine level.
What does shocking a pool do?
Shocking a pool elevates the free chlorine level to 5-10 ppm. Elevated levels of free chlorine break up combined chlorine. Once your pool has been shocked, the water will be clean, clear, and safe for your family to enjoy.
What happens to chlorine in a pool in summer?
Sunny Days– Summer brings the perfect pool weather! But when the days are hot and sunny for long periods of time, the pool water chemistry can be affected. Your pool’s chlorine will combine with contaminants and bacteria and other dangerous organisms will grow as temperatures rise.
How does shocking a pool work?
How Shocking your Pool Works. Contaminants can get into pools and combine with chlorine. If the free chlorine level is not concentrated enough, it can cause the contaminant to become inert without fully removing it.
What is combined chlorine?
Combined Chlorine: Undesirable, bad-smelling chloramines that form when not enough free chlorine is present to overcome the chlorine demand. Total Chlorine: The total amount which includes both free and combined chlorine.
How to check pH in pool?
Check that the pH levels in your pool are balanced. Prepare shock ahead of time in a 5-gallon bucket of pool water and stir. 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 ...
Can you use a chlorine generator in a salt water pool?
What about a salt pool? Yes, even salt pools need a little help once in a while. Salt water pools utilize a chlorine generator to convert salt into chlorine. You can adjust the generator to increase the level of chlorine produced to counteract higher chlorine demands caused by contaminants.
How does chlorine work in a pool?
It works by oxidizing organic compounds in the water. By focusing on them, it allows the residual free chlorine in the pool to focus strictly on sanitizing the water. Chlorine Vs Shock: The Comparison. When comparing pool chlorine vs shock, there are certain characteristics they have in common.
What is chlorine in a pool?
Pool chlorine is a sanitizer and oxidizer that keeps your pool water free from germs, bacteria, viruses, and organic pollutants. Breaking it down, chlorine releases two chemicals into the water: hypochlorous acid (HOCl) and hypochlorite ion (OCl-). They attack the enzymes and structures inside the cells of pollutants, destroying them.
What is unstabilized chlorine?
Sodium hypochlorite is a liquid form of chlorine that can be directly added to your pool skimmer. It won’t raise the pool’s pH level, and at 10-12% available chlorine, it’s pre-diluted for a safe-to-use level.
What is the difference between unstabilized and stabilized chlorine?
Unstabilized chlorine is chlorine in its purest state, whereas stabilized chlorine contains cyanuric acid (CYA). CYA, also called pool stabilizer, acts as a sunblock to protect the chlorine from the sun’s UV light, which will quickly destroy it if there’s no protectant.
What is breakpoint chlorine?
Breakpoint chlorination is the level of free chlorine that’s required to destroy the combined chlorine in the water. Due to its higher percentage of free chlorine, shock can take care of all the pollutants that the residual chlorine no longer can handle.
What is CC in pool?
Combined chlorine (CC), often referred to as chloramine, is chlorine that has been used up in your pool after attacking (and combing with) pollutants, making it ineffective at keeping your pool water sanitized. Total chlorine (TC).
What does FAC mean in pool?
Free available chlorine (FAC), often shortened to “free chlorine” or “available chlorine”. It’s what most people think of when chlorine is mentioned, because it’s chlorine in its purest state; unused and ready to sanitize your pool water.
What to check before filling a pool?
Before first filling a pool or adding substantial amounts of fresh water to the pool, either test the water using a good quality test kit or have it tested for pH, total alkalinity, calcium hardness and stain producing metals.
When to add sequestering agent to pool?
In cases where the pool is being completely filled , be certain to add a good sequestering agent as soon as the filling process begins. If the pool is already full, add the sequestering agent before any other steps are followed. This will tie up and inactivate any stain producing metals that may be in the fill or pool water.
How to prevent leaves falling in pool?
2. In cases where the pool is being reopened and was covered all winter, remove the cover carefully so as to avoid having any leaves or other debris fall into the pool. Sweep up and remove as much material as possible that may have accumulated in the pool during the off-season. 3.
How to make chlorine shock?
To start the process, you will need a good chlorine shock. Determine the amount of shock and pour it into the water. Leave the shock in the water for a while to do its work. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Usually, it’s recommended to leave the solution overnight. Test the chlorine level of the water.
What is shocking a pool?
Shocking a pool is a great way to kill and clean algae. You will get the pleasure of swimming in crystal clear pool water. The process breaks up chlorine and contaminants. The pool’s filtration system plays an integral role in the process.
How to get algae out of pool without pump?
It’s a major task to make all the chemicals mix together uniformly without a pump. You may add chlorine and mix the water manually by using a leaf net or a pole. Anything that gets the water moving may work.
How to get rid of algae in pool?
Usually, it’s recommended to leave the solution overnight. Test the chlorine level of the water. It must return to normal before anyone jumps to swim. The last step is to run the filtration system . Now that shocking has killed germs, algae, and contaminants, it’s time to remove them from the pool water.
What happens if you shock a pool?
When shocking the pool, it’s absolutely mandatory to run the pump. If you don’t, pieces of algae will settle down the pool and build up again quickly.
What are the contaminants that swimmers bring?
Swimmers bring contaminants like sweat, bacteria, and chemicals from hair products, makeup products, perfumes, and lotions. The normal chlorine level cannot fight all of them. Heavy rain dilutes the pool and reduces the chlorine level.
Can you shock a pool without a pump?
Shocking a pool without a working pump is not very useful . Even if it works, your pool will get algae in a few days again. It’s a major task to make all the chemicals mix together uniformly without a pump.
Why is chlorine good for pools?
Why Chlorine is Effective. Industry professionals say the pool is more prone to the growth of algae as it is always moist and has water all the time. When the algae increase in number, it can make the pool water look green. Chlorine can be quite effective on the algae. When the chlorine starts to combine with the algae, it can kill the algae.
Why is my pool green?
Shocking your pool can help you to get rid of the green color of the pool. This green color occurs mainly due to the growth of algae.
Does chlorine kill algae?
Chlorine can be quite effective on the algae. When the chlorine starts to combine with the algae, it can kill the algae. You can also add some algaecides after shocking the pool to make the pool completely algae-free. Chlorine can attack the polymer chains in order to make the pool free from any germs, algae and bacteria.
Can chlorine shock damage vinyl?
You need to make sure that you are using the right amount of chlorine shock for a given amount of water. Too much chlorine in the water can mess up with the quality of the water. It can also cause damage to the metal bodies in the pool as well as it can cause harm to the vinyl liner and create black stains.
Can chlorine attack polymer chains?
Chlorine can attack the polymer chains in order to make the pool free from any germs, algae and bacteria. It can combine with the ions t. Can I Add Shock and Chlorine at the Same Time. o the metal based ones. If you want to increase the potential of chlorine, then you have to consider using one of the best chlorine enhancers rather ...
Can you shock a gallon of water?
You will be recommended to use the right amount of the shock for a particular gallon of water. The measurement is very important and you have to do that carefully. Adding chlorine besides the shock can increase the chlorine content in the water which can make the entire shocking process useless. Hence, it is better if you don’t use ...
Is a pool good for the house?
Pool is surely a great addition to the house. It brings some fun activities to the family. But maintaining it is very important otherwise it can affect the health badly. A pool water must be treated perfectly with the help of chemicals, chlorine etc.
How to chlorinate a pool?
Wear long sleeves and pants, and be careful not to spill the chlorine. Go with chlorine tablets for the longest lasting option. Tablets are the most popular way to chlorinate a pool. They’re easier to use, last longer, and are gentler on pool liners than liquid options, which are best used as shock treatments.
What is the best way to keep a pool clean?
Chlorine helps keep a pool clean, and managing chlorine levels is an important aspect of owning a pool. Chlorine tablets are the best option for maintaining a normal level of 2 to 3 parts per million (ppm). To distribute the chemical evenly, add the tablets to an automatic dispenser.
What is the best way to chlorinate a pool?
Tablets are the most popular way to chlorinate a pool. They’re easier to use, last longer, and are gentler on pool liners than liquid options, which are best used as shock treatments. Unlike granulated options, tablets dissolve slowly, which ensures even distribution.
What is the difference between free available chlorine and combined chlorine?
Your test kit will show multiple chlorine readings. Free available chlorine is active and kills germs, while combined chlorine is the amount that’s been used up killing germs. Test your pool water daily if it gets regular use, and maintain a free available chlorine level between 1 and 3 ppm.
How often should I sanitize my pool?
In addition to using tablets, you should also sanitize your pool with a liquid or granular chlorine shock treatment every 1 to 2 weeks.
How to calculate pool volume?
For a quick estimate, measure your pool’s length and width, find the average depth, then multiply length by width by the average depth.
How to treat a pool with chlorine?
1. Wear protective gear and use caution when handling pool chemicals. Put on a pair of protective goggles and thick gloves before working with chlorine and other pool chemicals. If you’re treating an indoor pool, make sure there’s adequate ventilation before opening a chemical container.
How to remove calcium scale from pool?
Check your tile and remove calcium scale and stains with a household tile cleaner or baking soda and a tile brush. For tougher stains, try using a pumice stone. Inspect the interior of your pool for damage and make repairs as needed.
What to use to check pH in pool?
Here’s what you’ll need to get the job done right: A good test kit or test strips for checking your pool’s pH, calcium hardness, total alkalinity, and chlorine levels. Chlorine granules or tablets. Shock treatment. Increaser/decreaser chemicals for alkalinity, calcium, and pH. Algaecide.
What to do when your pool is pre-opening?
Here are a few essential things to put on your to-do list: Remove drain plugs or winterizing plugs from the surface skimmers and wall returns, and restore directional fittings.
What to do if your pool is closed all winter?
If your pool has been closed all winter, you’ll need to do a little prep work to get your pool ready for another season of fun. Don’t worry, though. Opening an inground pool is easy. Follow a few easy steps and you’ll be perfecting your cannonball in no time!
How to prolong the life of a pool cover?
You can prolong the life of your pool cover by storing it safely away from insects, rodents, and the elements. Once your swimming pool cover is clean and dry, tightly roll it and store it indoors or in a garage.
Can a fiberglass pool have a hairline?
Hairline cracks are normal in fiberglass pools. Because fiberglass pools have a gel coating, these small cracks typically won’t affect the integrity of your pool. However, if your fiberglass pool has large cracks or holes you should call a pool repair specialist right away.