How to Shock Swimming Pools

Shocking your pool means to raise the chlorine level in your pool to reach breakpoint chlorination. Using 3" chlorine tablets to maintain residual chlorine is what you need to do, but you also need to shock the pool weekly to eliminate any build up of chlorine that is used up to eliminate bacteria and algae that can build up in your pool.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Granular chlorine (shock)

1. You must determine which type of chlorine shock you are using. There are 3 main types, calcium hypochlorite, trichlor, and dichlor.
   Depending on the type will determine how it is applied to your pool.

2. If you use calcium based shock which is usually the least expensive you must first either predissolve first or add slowly through the skimmers. This product does not dissolve well and if it settles to the bottom, it could bleach a vinyl liner if you have one. Predissolve and pour around the edge of the pool at the dosage of 1 lb per 10,000 gallons of pool water. This product may cause temporary haziness to the water and you don't need to swim for at least 8 hours after adding. Add this product at night so the pool can circulate overnight.

3. Trichlor is usually sold at big box stores (Sam's, Costco, Wal-Mart) and has a high stabilizer level or cyanuric acid which can build up in your pool and cause more problems. I do not recommend this product as a regular shock treatment. Although it may be cheaper than other types, it will lead to more problems that you have to spend that extra money to fix so you're really not saving any money at all. This product can be broadcast over the surface but be sure the brush any undissolved product.

4. Dichlor shock is a great product. It replace Lithium Hypochlorite products because it has the same effects but is much more powerful. It dissolves very quickly, it has no clouding effects, and you can swim only 15 minutes after adding it to the pool. This product can also be broadcast over the surface but brushing after adding will help with the circulation of the chemical and expidite the effects.

5. Whatever product you choose to go with, I recommend you purchase it from a repuatable pool store becuase the product will be refined and not have binders and extra stuff mixed with it that may weaken the chlorine itself or lead to more problems.

Tips & Warnings

• Calcium based - Mix with water or add through skimmer slowly
• Trichlor/Dichlor - Can be broadcast but brush immediately after adding to ensure nothing has settled to the pool bottom
• Chlorine in any form is very dangerous. Take precautions and wear protective equipment when handling.

[MrBB]

on 11/5/2009 This is certainly a nice "pool" of articles you have here.

[starlet67]

on 4/10/2009 Now I understand what it means to "shock" a swimming pool! Great article!5*

[kaytay]

on 3/24/2009 thanks for the swimming pool backwashing instructions