Shocking your pool regularly is one of the most important maintenance procedures we take to make your pool fit for its purpose. It is a simple method for preventing stray germs and algae from establishing a foothold in your pool’s water. It also helps keep the scent of your pool under control. The chloramines in your pool water are oxidized by the chemical known as “pool shock.” Superchlorination is another procedure often referred to as “shocking” your pool. When you shock your pool, you add enough chlorine (or another chemical) to disinfect the water and remove the accumulation of chloramines. This is done by adding a large amount of chlorine.
When chlorine is combined with nitrogen found in sweat, oils, and urine, chloramines are produced. This normal chemical reaction occurs when your chlorine performs its job correctly. Recall the last time you passed a hotel with a swimming pool. The pungent smell of chlorine is caused by chloramines, indicating that the water has not been sterilized. Shock treatment for a pool may also help clean up cloudy water and eliminate algae development.
Types of Chlorine
First things first: before we go into how to shock a pool, you need to have a firm grasp of the distinctions between total and free chlorine, combined and breakpoint chlorination, and mixed and free chlorine.
Free Chlorine
The quantity of pool chlorine actively cleaning your water is called “Free Chlorine.” For the chemical to be effective, the amount of Free Chlorine in your water should be between 1 and 3 parts per million (ppm).
Combined Chlorine
The quantity of chlorine that has been used is shown by the notation “Combined Chlorine.” It is still present in the water, but its ability to disinfect has significantly decreased. It would be best if you strived to maintain a Combined Chlorine level lower than 0.2 ppm at all times.
Total Chlorine
Testing equipment for pool water can assess the Free Chlorine and Total Chlorine of the water in your pool. To calculate the Combine Chlorine of your pool, deduct the Free Chlorine from the Total Chlorine to get the answer. The Free Chlorine and Combined Chlorine levels in your pool should be added to get the Total Chlorine reading.
Break Chlorination
Breakpoint chlorination occurs when enough Free Chlorine is present to break the atomic bonds that hold chloramine together. To reach this stage, you must add ten times the original quantity of Combine Chlorine.
Every time you shock your pool, you should work toward reaching the breakpoint. If you don’t reach the breakpoint, your pool may have even more chloramines than it now has. If the chloramine levels continue to climb uncontrolled, you may have to replace some or all of the water in your pool to cure the problem.
Types of Pool Shocking
In most cases, we don’t shock your pool by using ordinary chlorine tablets, but we have options for goods that may boost the amount of chlorine in your pool.
Calcium Hypochlorite Shocking
Since 1928, this chemical, known as cal hypo, has disinfected swimming pools and municipal water supplies. Shocking your pool this way is one of the easiest and most cost-effective things.
Most versions sold in stores have chlorine concentrations ranging from 65 to 75 percent.
Before adding calcium hypochlorite to your swimming pool, it is necessary to dissolve it first.
It must be used after nightfall.
It will take you around eight hours before you can swim again without risking injury.
Because it adds around 0.8 ppm of calcium to your water for every ppm of Free Chlorine added, you should exercise care if the calcium content of your water supply is already high.
Lithium Hypochlorite Shocking
Lithium hypochlorite is the best option if your water has a high calcium concentration and you are willing to spend a little more. Since it dissolves considerably more rapidly than calcium hypochlorite, you don’t need to dissolve it before adding it to your pool since you can add it as is.
Most versions sold in stores have chlorine concentrations ranging from 35.
It can only be used after the sun has set.
It will take you around eight hours before you can swim again without risking injury.
Because it can potentially harm aquatic life (which makes it an effective algaecide), you need to exercise caution when disposing of recently treated water.
Dichlor Shocking
The chemical names for this kind of pool shock chlorine are sodium dichloro-s-triazinetrione. It is considerably simpler to state “dichlor shock,” and it is much simpler to apply. We can put it in your pool without first diluting it with water. Additionally, this kind of shock may be used for swimming pools that include saltwater.
- In most cases, it has a chlorine concentration of between fifty and sixty percent.
- We can make use of it for both routine dosages of chlorine as well as shock treatments.
- In most cases, dissolving it in water beforehand is not required.
- Cyanuric acid is added at a rate of 0.9 ppm for every ppm of extra FC that is present.
- It can only be used after the sun has set.
- It will take you around eight hours before you can swim again without risking injury.
Non-Chlorine Shocking
An alternative to chlorine that does not include chlorine, potassium peroxymonosulfate shock, is both quick and affordable. This is the shock that is recommended for use in saltwater pools.
It is ineffective as an algaecide since it does not employ chlorine as its active ingredient. We mix it in with the water in your pool. It will take around 15 minutes before you can swim again without risking injury.
What Happens If You Swim in a Pool That is Recently Shocked?
If you swim in a swimming pool that has been recently shocked, there is a chance that you may have skin and eye irritation. If this occurs, you should thoroughly rinse your skin with clean water for several minutes. Although the likelihood of respiratory problems is low, if the chemicals used are particularly strong or if you swim in a pool immediately after being shocked, it is possible. People with respiratory difficulties may be more susceptible to this problem. Coughing or wheezing signifies that you must obtain fresh air and sit comfortably. If the problem persists, go to the hospital.
