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What Shock Should I Use In My Pool

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How Often Should You Shock Your Pool

How Often Should I Shock My Pool?

The frequency of pool shocking isnt set in stone, and it really only needs to be done when your water starts going haywire.;

Some things youll be able to visually see , but most water pollutants will be invisible.

There are some pool owners who like to shock once a week to keep the water its cleanest, while others will do it on a 3-week or monthly cycle.;

Shocking frequency also depends on how much use the pool is getting, and what kind of weather its being subjected to.; Heavy rainfall and storms can disrupt the pool waters chemical makeup by introducing backyard debris and air pollutants like dust and pollen spores into the water.;

Likewise, an increase in the number of people using the pool will bring in more organic bacteria, resulting in a chlorine level decrease. If you have a pool party, youll most likely have to shock the pool once its over.

Youll also want to apply shock treatment when opening the pool, and closing it down for the season.

On opening, after youve balanced its 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.

Also of note, if you were wondering, you cant overshock a pool. The worst that will happen is the water has an abundance of chlorine for a few hours. Once the sun comes out, it will quickly destroy the chlorine and bring the pool back to a level that is safe for swimmers.

When And How Often To Shock A Pool

  • |November 22, 2020

No one contests that pool shock is a highly effective method for sanitizing your pool.

But, how often to shock a pool is a hotly debated issue in the pool owner community.

Yet there are certain times when shocking is an absolute must when you have to get your pool water back in line.

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Clorox Pool & Spa 81006clx Saltwater

The CLOROX pool and spa shock is a solution that has been designed specifically for saltwater pools. This particular product is notable for having a chlorine-free formula, which is perfect if you would like to avoid adding more chlorine to your pool. Along with algae and bacteria, this product can get rid of all organic contaminants that can be found in your pool.

Since there isnt any chlorine in this product, you should be able to get back to swimming in less than 15 minutes. Once applied, any cloudy water should clear up, which will leave you with a clean and sparkling pool. You can purchase CLOROX Pool & Spa 81006CLX at Walmart for $24, which will provide you with six one-pound bags.

Click here to buy CLOROX Pool & Spa Shock Solution now!

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There Was A Surge In Pool Use

People love a good pool party. Your pool, on the other hand, not so much.

Pools should be shocked after heavy usage. This is because people are gross and bring a lot of nasty things into the water.

Seriously though, people introduce a ton of organic pollutants into a pool oils from your skin, sweat, hair, sunscreen, and lets not forget about the dreaded urine and fecal offenders.

With an uptick of swimmers in the pool, the chlorine has to work extra hard to keep it all clean, resulting in a more rapid depletion and consumption.;

What Is The Best Time Of Day To Shock A Swimming Pool

How Often Should I Shock My Swimming Pool

Shock your pool late in the evening or at night, when the sun is down, to make sure free chlorine will stay in your water longer. Ultraviolet rays from direct sunlight greatly reduces free chlorine levels, so shocking during the day will not be very effective.

If you absolutely must do it during daytime, use a chlorine stabilizer, such as cyanuric acid, to prolong the life the chlorine.

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Leisure Pool & Spa Liquid Chlorine Pool Shock 4 Gallons

Liquid chlorine is the ideal shock treatment for all pool owners who want to shock their swimming pools without mixing different chemicals.;

The chlorine shocks principal active ingredient is 12.5% sodium hypochlorite, and it kills bacteria and algae in the pool water.;

Shocking your pool with the treatment can give you the confidence that it will not affect the pH levels, cyanuric acid, pool liner, or filter performance.

You can also use this type of chlorine shock for pressure washers and is approved for sanitizing different surfaces, including the pool surface.;

The liquid chlorine pool shock best works for in-ground pools. It does not cause eye irritation, making it the right product for regular maintenance.;;;

What Kind Of Shock Are You Using

The type of shock you use to shock your pool also affects how long you have to wait until you jump back into the pool. The two most popular shocks we encounter at INYO are shocks with chlorine and shocks without chlorine. Shocks with chlorine, or cal-hypo, make;up the majority of chlorine- based shock available today. The major differences lie in the concentration levels of the active ingredients. Most shocks with chlorine take;longer to interact with your pool than non-chlorine shock.

Chlorine- free shock oxidizes bacteria and organics in your pool without any additional chemicals. With this type of shock, you can swim in the pool just one hour after. Chlorine- based shock contains high levels of pH and will alter both your pH and chlorine levels in the pool. Chlorine- free shock has a neutral pH and will not affect any of your other chemical levels.

Its a general precaution to monitor the type of chemicals you are putting into your pool. As you can see, even the type of shock you use can affect other chemicals that are already in your pool. And in turn, it will delay your swimmers from returning to the pool.

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Let Flower Mound Pool Care & Maintenance Help With Your Pool Maintenance

Shocking your pool is just part of the required pool maintenance. Flower Mound Pool Care & Maintenance can help you with this and all other weekly pool service needs.

Flower Mound Pool Care & Maintenance has a 23-point service plan that includes the following:

Chemical Analysis & Maintenance

  • Salt content on saltwater pool
  • Phosphates
  • Net debris
  • Brush
  • Thats a long to-do list that many people dont want to tackle or have the time to do. The team at Flower Mound Pool Care & Maintenance does. For the past 14 years, we have proudly performed pool service in Castle Hills, Argyle, Carrollton, Coppell, Corinth, Double Oak, Flower Mound, Lake Dallas, Lantana, Plano, McKinney, and Frisco. We just recently added service to the Southlake area.

    We can set a pool service schedule that works for you and your budget. You wont have to ever worry about shocking your pool at the right time when you hire Flower Mound Pool Care & Maintenance. Call us today at 995-3556 to learn more.

    How Long After I Shock My Pool Can I Swim

    What Type Of Pool Shock Should I Use So It Doesn’t Break My Wallet

    Shocking your pool, or super chlorinating, is a cleaning method designed to keep your pool water clean and safe by adding three to five times the normal amount of chlorine. This drastically raises the chlorine level in a short period of time. Shocking your pool should not be a daily routine. Sure, there are times when shocking your pool is absolutely necessary like the times when you neglect your pool or when your pool is recovering from a terrible storm. However, if you have a salt water generator and consistently test and monitor your chemical levels, there shouldnt be a need to shock your pool often.

    Pool owners usually have a single concern when shocking their pool- How long after I shock my pool can I swim?

    Unfortunately, there is no general consensus within the pool community when it comes to determining how long you should wait before swimming again. However, even with no general consensus, we were still able to discover many convincing factors that helped narrow down when the pool is safe for swimmers again after shocking.

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    How Often Should I Add Liquid Chlorine To My Pool

    To know your consumption level, you will have to wait for a week or two. For hot and sunny temperatures, the 65 CYA is moderate enough.;

    Just ensure you add enough liquid chlorine to keep the FC over the minimum level for your CYA level pending the time you can add more. You can make use of the pool calculator too.

    What Does Calcium Hypochlorite Do To A Pools Ph

    Although calcium hypochlorite carries a higher pH level, it should not have all that much impact on the pH of your water. Although it is smart to check the pH levels both before and after you shock the pool, the pH level of calcium hypochlorite will do more to maintain the current level than to change the pools pH level.

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    How To Shock A Swimming Pool

  • Find out the volume of your pool. This will give you an idea of how much shock you need. The general recommendation is to use 1 pound of cal hypo shock for every 10,000 gallons of pool water, and 10 ounces of sodium hypo with around 12.5% chlorine to sanitize your pool.
  • Make sure the pool water is at its normal level.
  • Make sure your pool’s pH is between 7.27.6 and its alkalinity is between 80120 ppm.
  • Prepare the treatment according to the instructions on the package. cal hypo will require that you dissolve it in water first, then add it to the pool. For sodium hypo, you can add it directly around your pool. If you need to dissolve the shock, fill a bucket with 5 gallons of warm water before adding.
  • For cal hypo, slowly add it to the water while gently stirring. Always add shock to the waternot the other way around. This makes it easier to dissolve.
  • Pour cal hypo evenly around your pool. If there is any undissolved shock left, add some pool water, mix gently, and pour it in the pool.
  • Run the filtration pump for at least 24 hours to clear the contaminants from the pool. Shocking alone will only kill germs and algae; it won’t get rid of them.
  • If your pool is still green or cloudy, check that all your chemical levels are adjusted correctly, scrub and remove any visible debris, and make sure your filtration system is working properly.
  • What Is Free Chlorine?

    It is unbound chlorine that is “free” to sanitize.

    Faqs About Pool Shock

    PSC Ep. 91: How Often Should I Shock My Pool?

    When should you shock your pool?

    • As much as possible, shock your pool two times a month, especially in summer and swimming season.
    • Shocking your pool is recommended if your free chlorine levels are outside the recommended 1-3 ppm.

    Do you need to shock a salt pool?

    Yes, even salt pools require pool shock from time to time. A chlorine generator is used to convert salt to chlorine. You can adjust the generator to increase chlorine levels and meet the chlorine demand caused by contaminants. However, even salt water pools must be shocked when the generator cannot keep up with the contamination load.

    When is the best time of the day to shock your pool?

    How can you shock your pool?

    The method of shocking your pool is pretty straightforward. But before you start, skim the surface, vacuum up any debris, and brush the pools walls and floor. Also, ensure that you protect yourself with the right equipment, such as safety eyewear gloves and work clothes, before you start shocking your pool.;

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    Using Bleach To Shock Your Pool

    Bleach contains sodium hypochlorite , but at a lower concentration. The level of sodium hypochlorite in bleach is between 5% and 6%, while chlorine is between 10% to 15%.;

    What that means is that you would need twice the amount of bleach as normal chlorine. And to ensure that the bleach doesnt get degraded by the sun, you should add it late in the afternoon.;

    Hth 67156 Shock Pods Care For Swimming Pools 15 Ct

    You can increase the chlorine level in your swimming pool with HTH 67156 Shock Pods.;

    They are shock treatments for killing pool algae, bacteria, and other contaminants.;

    The one great thing about the product is the ability to preserve the water bodys pH level.

    You can apply to the skimmer to keep the chlorine levels between 1-4 ppm.;

    It is made of Sodium Dichloro-S-Triazinetrione ingredient, making it provide Clorox Pool Spa Shock Pluss practical qualities.;

    The chemical is compatible with most pool types and surfaces, including salt water pools, gunite pools, and vinyl liner models.

    Its fast-acting, fast-dissolving formula allows you to swim within 15 minutes after use.

    Read Also: Can Lice Live In Chlorine Pools

    When Does A Pool Need To Be Shocked With Calcium Hypochlorite

    There are a few different times when it makes sense to use calcium hypochlorite to shock your pool. Most pool owners will stay on a regular schedule with shock, where they will use the product every few weeks simply to ensure the water is extremely clean. Here are a few other times that you will need to use cal hypo in your pool.

    Considerations For The Best Salt Water Pool Shock

    How Often Should You SHOCK Your POOL? | Swim University

    When youre searching for the right pool shock product to pair with your pool, there are several factors that you should consider, the primary of which is whether or not the product will effectively clean a saltwater pool. Since not all shock products are ideal for saltwater pools, it may take some time to find the right solution. If you want a product that will kill all bacteria, algae, and other organic contaminants, you should determine if you want the product to use chlorine or not.

    While chlorine-based products are typically most effective, many pool owners prefer pool shocks that contain very little or no chlorine. If you find that you dont like the chlorine smell, there are some pool shock products that are able to get rid of this smell, which should help you feel more comfortable when swimming in your pool. All of the pool shock products in this guide have proven to be popular and effective, which means that the one you choose largely comes down to which feature-set you prefer.

    Its important to choose the best pool shock if you want yourself and anyone else who swims in the pool to remain healthy while having a great swimming experience. If too many contaminants are left in your pool water, the water itself can become cloudy and unhealthy, which can be a hassle to deal with. Using the right pool shock treatment can eliminate all contaminants while also preventing future algae growth.

    Also Check: Can Lice Live In Chlorine Pools

    Your Pool Water Is Cloudy

    Cloudy pool water is an important symptom to treat as it can be a breeding ground for dangerous bacteria, it can also damage your pool and circulation system.

    It is important to be aware of any signs of cloudy water as it can quickly escalate, it can even appear overnight. This can be due to any issues with the sanitising chemicals, the pools circulation system, the pools water chemistry and algae.

    Pool Shock Quick Answers

    Youve likely heard of the term everything in moderation at some point in your life. Surprisingly, when it comes to shocking your pool, this rule of thumb can be safely set aside. Generally speaking, the answer to Can you over shock a pool? is no, you cannot. You can, however, use more shock than you need or less than is sufficient.

    In other words, while you shouldnt worry too much about adding a little extra pool shock, there is still a right way and a wrong way to shock your pool if you want to get the best results. In this quick guide, well review the main factors to consider when carrying out this critical pool maintenance process.

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    Why Shock Your Pool

    Over time, as chlorine works to destroy contaminants, the combined chlorine level rises and this is far weaker as a pool water disinfectant.

    By shocking your pool, you replenish your chlorine level and oxidize chloramines , which are a gaseous irritant that are hazardous for human consumption.

    Your swimming pool may need to be shocked if any of the following scenarios have occurred:

  • Theres an increase in pollutants: Pools are subjected to many changes in water chemistry. This contamination can be from rainfall, outside temperature shifts, backyard debris, and organic matter left behind after heavy pool use.
  • Algae growth in the pool: Algae blooms are usually controlled by applying an algaecide to the pool. But when you need to eradicate it, a shockor triple shockwill do just that, clearing up the water at the same time.
  • Theres a buildup of chloramine: Chloramines are what we all know as that pungent dose of pool smell. Theyre a gas that forms as a result of used up chlorine, and an indication theres not enough chlorine in the water. Chloramines irritate your eyes, nasal passage, lungs, and skin. If the pool has a very strong chlorine smell to it, you know its time to shock.
  • When To Shock Your Above Ground Pool

    How to Shock A Pool The Easy Way!

    How often youll need to shock your pool will really vary depending on use, climate, and how diligent you are about maintenance.

    The most common times youll need to shock you pool include:

    • If you notice algae growth.
    • After heavy rainfall.
    • As part of your pool opening routine.
    • After heavy use of the pool.

    If you havent noticed already, a few of those bullet points are pretty standard to summer weather in most places. Depending on your location and pool usage, you may find that youll need to shock your pool anywhere from once a week to monthly.

    If youre keeping a regular cleaning and maintenance rhythm for your above ground pool, you should be testing your water chemistry at least once per week. Your effective chlorine levels will tell you when exactly you need to shock your pool.

    Youll definitely need to shock your pool and use some algaecide if your above ground pools water starts to turn green or give off a foul oder.

    While shocking your pool is part of its regular maintenance, you can do your part to minimize the need to shock it by:

    • Regularly brushing the walls and running the vacuum.
    • Keeping a cover on the pool when its not in use.
    • Encourage swimmers to rinse off before entering the pool.
    • Regularly testing and adjusting water chemistry and chlorine levels.
    • Running the filter system often.
    • Cleaning the ladder, pool equipments, and taking pools floats and toys out of the pool when theyre not being used.

    Recommended Reading: Can Lice Live In Chlorine Pools

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