Pool Shocking: What Is It And Why Is It Necessary?
If you're a new pool owner, you might be wondering what you can do to maintain your pool for the sake of its safety and of course, the safety of everyone who's going to use it. In this article, we'll tell you everything you need to know about pool shocking along with its importance. We'll also touch on what you need to do to shock your pool the right way. So, without any further delay, let's dive right in!
What does pool shock refer to?
Pool shock is a term that’s used to refer to the process of raising a swimming pool’s free chlorine levels through the addition of chlorine or non-chlorine chemicals. High free chlorine levels in a swimming pool can work wonders in terms of eliminating potentially harmful microorganisms such as algae, bacteria, and chloramines.
On the other hand, if your pool’s free chlorine levels are low, these microorganisms may thrive in the pool water. Eventually, this is likely to make your pool incredibly unsafe for swimming. If you or any of your family members do swim in a microorganism-contaminated pool, there’s a high risk of disease as well.
The various types of chlorine and their differences
Before you shock your pool for the first time, we feel it’s important for you to understand the various types of chlorine along with their differences:
Combined chlorine (CC): Combined chlorine or CC refers to the chlorine added to a swimming pool. The ideal CC level should be just under 0.2 parts per million (ppm).
Free chlorine (FC): Free chlorine or FC refers to the chlorine percentage in the CC that’s playing an active role in water disinfection. Ideally, FC levels should be in the range of 1 – 3 ppm.
Total chlorine (TC): Total chlorine or TC is what you get when you add the levels of CC and FC.
Breakpoint chlorination: Breakpoint chlorination is a state of chlorination that involves the shattering of chloramine molecular bonds. Once this state is reached, free chlorine levels start building up and a swimming pool starts to get sanitised.
The most widely used pool shock products
In this section, we’ll take you through some pool shock products that are commonly used by pool owners, such as:
Lithium hypochlorite: Lithium hypochlorite is a pool shock product known for its quick dissolution. Products containing this typically feature 35% chlorine. You can add it to your pool without dissolving it prior to the addition. It takes around 7 – 8 hours to work, and while it’s working, it’s best to avoid swimming. However, despite lithium hypochlorite’s popularity, there are some downsides. For starters, it’s a costly pool shock solution. Also, you can only use it after dusk. Additionally, it can harm aquatic life. So, if your pool is located close to a natural water body that’s rich in aquatic life, it would be best to steer clear of lithium hypochlorite use.
Potassium peroxymonosulfate: There are some non-chlorine products you can consider to shock your pool as well. One of them is potassium peroxymonosulfate, which is one of the most affordable pool shock solutions. You can directly add it to the water whenever you please and it only 15 – 20 minutes to do its work. However, it has one major disadvantage – it cannot eliminate algae. So, if you decide to use potassium peroxymonosulfate to shock your pool, you need to invest in an algaecide separately.
Calcium hypochlorite: If lithium hypochlorite is too costly for you, why not consider calcium hypochlorite? The best thing about calcium hypochlorite is that it doesn’t harm aquatic life. However, it can raise your pool’s calcium levels, which can increase calcium hardness. Also, unlike lithium hypochlorite, calcium hypochlorite can’t be added without prior dissolving. It shares certain similarities with lithium hypochlorite as well. For example, it’s only effective when used post dusk, and it takes almost the same time to eliminate microorganisms.
Dichloroisocyanuric acid: Known also as dichlor, this chemical has a high chlorine percentage (50 – 60%). It can serve multiple purposes as well, i.e. you can use it as a pool shock solution and/or for regular chlorine doses. It takes approximately 8 hours to eliminate microorganisms, and it should be used exclusively after dusk. No dissolution is required. All in all, this is the pool shock product we recommend you to use due to its ease of use and high safety.
Shocking your pool in 9 simple steps
In this last section of the article, we’ll tell you 9 simple steps you can follow to shock your pool:
Step 1 – Test your pool water: Buy a pool test kit and check your pool’s pH, FC, and TC levels. Determine the level of chlorine that should be added by deducting FC from TC, which will give you the CC level.
Step 2 – Determine how much pool shock you should mix: To do this, refer to the recommended level on the product packaging.
Step 3 – Dissolve the pool shock: If you’ve purchased a pool shock solution in granular form, dissolve it first. We recommend mixing it in a bucket (a five-gallon bucket should be fine).
Step 4 – Run the pool pump: Your pool pump should be running when you add the pool shock to the water. This will ensure that the solution is circulated evenly throughout the pool.
Step 5 – Pour the solution around the pool’s edges: To make sure that the pool shock solution has the desired effect, it’s best to pour it around the pool’s edges.
Step 6 – Keep the pool pump turned on for 7 – 8 hours: Most pool shock products require 7 – 8 hours to completely eliminate microorganisms. During this duration, the pool pump should be running continuously.
Step 7 – Test your pool water for chlorine levels: After the pool shock has done what it’s supposed to, check the chlorine levels.
Step 8 – Be patient: Continue testing the chlorine until the FC is in the range of 1 – 3 ppm.
Step 9 – Enter the pool: After the FC levels drop, feel free to take a dip in your pool.
See how sunlight can effect the chlorine in your swimming pool!
To Conclude
So, that’s about it for this article. We hope you learned a thing or two about pool shocking, its importance, and how to do it correctly. Make sure to take the help of professionals for your pool cleaning services.
Pool Shocking: What Is It And Why Is It Necessary?
If you're a new pool owner, you might be wondering what you can do to maintain your pool for the sake of its safety and of course, the safety of everyone who's going to use it. In this article, we'll tell you everything you need to know about pool shocking along with its importance. We'll also touch on what you need to do to shock your pool the right way. So, without any further delay, let's dive right in!
What does pool shock refer to?
Pool shock is a term that’s used to refer to the process of raising a swimming pool’s free chlorine levels through the addition of chlorine or non-chlorine chemicals. High free chlorine levels in a swimming pool can work wonders in terms of eliminating potentially harmful microorganisms such as algae, bacteria, and chloramines.
On the other hand, if your pool’s free chlorine levels are low, these microorganisms may thrive in the pool water. Eventually, this is likely to make your pool incredibly unsafe for swimming. If you or any of your family members do swim in a microorganism-contaminated pool, there’s a high risk of disease as well.
The various types of chlorine and their differences
Before you shock your pool for the first time, we feel it’s important for you to understand the various types of chlorine along with their differences:
Combined chlorine (CC): Combined chlorine or CC refers to the chlorine added to a swimming pool. The ideal CC level should be just under 0.2 parts per million (ppm).
Free chlorine (FC): Free chlorine or FC refers to the chlorine percentage in the CC that’s playing an active role in water disinfection. Ideally, FC levels should be in the range of 1 – 3 ppm.
Total chlorine (TC): Total chlorine or TC is what you get when you add the levels of CC and FC.
Breakpoint chlorination: Breakpoint chlorination is a state of chlorination that involves the shattering of chloramine molecular bonds. Once this state is reached, free chlorine levels start building up and a swimming pool starts to get sanitised.
The most widely used pool shock products
In this section, we’ll take you through some pool shock products that are commonly used by pool owners, such as:
Lithium hypochlorite: Lithium hypochlorite is a pool shock product known for its quick dissolution. Products containing this typically feature 35% chlorine. You can add it to your pool without dissolving it prior to the addition. It takes around 7 – 8 hours to work, and while it’s working, it’s best to avoid swimming. However, despite lithium hypochlorite’s popularity, there are some downsides. For starters, it’s a costly pool shock solution. Also, you can only use it after dusk. Additionally, it can harm aquatic life. So, if your pool is located close to a natural water body that’s rich in aquatic life, it would be best to steer clear of lithium hypochlorite use.
Potassium peroxymonosulfate: There are some non-chlorine products you can consider to shock your pool as well. One of them is potassium peroxymonosulfate, which is one of the most affordable pool shock solutions. You can directly add it to the water whenever you please and it only 15 – 20 minutes to do its work. However, it has one major disadvantage – it cannot eliminate algae. So, if you decide to use potassium peroxymonosulfate to shock your pool, you need to invest in an algaecide separately.
Calcium hypochlorite: If lithium hypochlorite is too costly for you, why not consider calcium hypochlorite? The best thing about calcium hypochlorite is that it doesn’t harm aquatic life. However, it can raise your pool’s calcium levels, which can increase calcium hardness. Also, unlike lithium hypochlorite, calcium hypochlorite can’t be added without prior dissolving. It shares certain similarities with lithium hypochlorite as well. For example, it’s only effective when used post dusk, and it takes almost the same time to eliminate microorganisms.
Dichloroisocyanuric acid: Known also as dichlor, this chemical has a high chlorine percentage (50 – 60%). It can serve multiple purposes as well, i.e. you can use it as a pool shock solution and/or for regular chlorine doses. It takes approximately 8 hours to eliminate microorganisms, and it should be used exclusively after dusk. No dissolution is required. All in all, this is the pool shock product we recommend you to use due to its ease of use and high safety.
Shocking your pool in 9 simple steps
In this last section of the article, we’ll tell you 9 simple steps you can follow to shock your pool:
Step 1 – Test your pool water: Buy a pool test kit and check your pool’s pH, FC, and TC levels. Determine the level of chlorine that should be added by deducting FC from TC, which will give you the CC level.
Step 2 – Determine how much pool shock you should mix: To do this, refer to the recommended level on the product packaging.
Step 3 – Dissolve the pool shock: If you’ve purchased a pool shock solution in granular form, dissolve it first. We recommend mixing it in a bucket (a five-gallon bucket should be fine).
Step 4 – Run the pool pump: Your pool pump should be running when you add the pool shock to the water. This will ensure that the solution is circulated evenly throughout the pool.
Step 5 – Pour the solution around the pool’s edges: To make sure that the pool shock solution has the desired effect, it’s best to pour it around the pool’s edges.
Step 6 – Keep the pool pump turned on for 7 – 8 hours: Most pool shock products require 7 – 8 hours to completely eliminate microorganisms. During this duration, the pool pump should be running continuously.
Step 7 – Test your pool water for chlorine levels: After the pool shock has done what it’s supposed to, check the chlorine levels.
Step 8 – Be patient: Continue testing the chlorine until the FC is in the range of 1 – 3 ppm.
Step 9 – Enter the pool: After the FC levels drop, feel free to take a dip in your pool.
See how sunlight can effect the chlorine in your swimming pool!
To Conclude
So, that’s about it for this article. We hope you learned a thing or two about pool shocking, its importance, and how to do it correctly. Make sure to take the help of professionals for your pool cleaning services.
