Pool shock is one of the best methods to use during maintenance. It helps people keep their swimming pool healthy and safe for people.
With the right shock treatment, any pool owner can have peace of mind throughout the year.
Using swimming pool shock for the first time isn't too easy, though. Many people wonder: "How much pool shock is enough?" The answer depends on a few factors.
To put it simply, it's possible to put too much shock in a pool. Although the problem is easy to solve, not taking the right steps can cause several problems for owners, as well as their friends and family.
Below, people can find an in-depth explanation of how to start their pool shock treatment correctly.
What Is Considered "Too Much" Shock?
Some people think that adding more shock to the pool water will make the cleaning process go faster. Unfortunately, the process doesn't work like that. Most of the time, excess chlorine will cause people to wait longer to use the pool.
It's not too hard to tell if a pool is "over-shocked." There are three clear signs for it:
Strong Smell: One of the clearest signs that someone added too much shock is a strong smell of chlorine. In these cases, people should wait until the chemical dissipates.
Cloudy Pool: This may indicate either poor filtration or low sanitizer levels. In a nutshell, adding too much shock may result in a "strange" look for the water.
Irritation: Adding too much shock will make the swimming pool water extremely irritant. The areas affected include the eyes and the mouth, although higher levels of chlorine will also affect the skin. When you shock your pool, it's crucial to wait for a while before using it again.
People who get into a pool with too much shock could also get their hair green. This is because of the excess chlorine oxidizing the copper in the pool.
Something important to note is that smaller pools will make the chlorine levels take longer to drop.
Generally speaking, people should wait until the chlorine has dropped to at least 3 ppm to use it. For more information, Tucson pool cleaning services may be able to help.
Factors to Keep in Mind After Doing Pool Shock Treatments
Pool chemicals do a great job of giving an extra layer of protection to the entire area.
Shock, specifically, ensures that people get higher free chlorine levels while eliminating chloramines. It helps eliminate algae growth and prevents bacteria from getting to the pool.
Adding too much shock is a common concern, but there are many ways to address it.
The first thing to tackle is the testing. With a proper kit, pool owners can test the chlorine levels before getting in.
However, when someone adds too much shock, that can "bleach" the test strip, which can lead to false readings. Sometimes, test kit manufacturers don't design strips that withstand extreme levels of chlorine.
It's common for people to measure their chlorine levels and get a result that says they don't have anything in the pool. This may be due to a high amount of shock. Adding more shock won't be the solution.
In most cases, the solution is to give the pool time to oxidize. Waiting will be the owner's best friend.
Those with a cover on their pool should take it off. As the sun hits the water, the chlorine will dissipate faster.
How Much Shock Should People Add to Their Pool?
Coming up with the right amount of shock can easily become a huge math problem.
Generally speaking, people should add a pound of shock to their pool for every 10,000 water gallons. However, those with algae problems may have to come up with different amounts.
Below is a small guide to help people calculate the necessary amount of shock:
First, consider the following terms: Combined Chlorine (CC), Free Chlorine (FC), and Total Chlorine (TC).
Subtract the FC from the TC to get the "combined chlorine" level.
Multiply the CC by 10, and subtract the FC from the result.
Calculate the amount of shock that's enough to produce 1 part per million (ppm) per 10,000 gallons of water.
Divide pool volume by 10,000. People can call their manufacturer or an expert to calculate the volume in liters.
Multiply the chemical change in step four by the divided pool volume in step five and the CC/FC difference in step three.
Divide the answer by 16 to convert it to pounds. This should give the person an idea of how much shock they need to add.
If this seems too complicated, there are a few online calculators that may do the trick, although the result may not be accurate. Another option is to consult a professional.
Is Adding Shock to a Pool Hard?
Not really. Once the person has the right amount of shock calculated, they only have to take a few steps to add it to the pool:
Put on safety goggles, rubber gloves, and any other protective gear necessary.
Check the product's package for application instructions. Usually, products using granules will require the person to add them directly to the pool.
Add the shock product to the pool.
Take a brush and disperse the granules so that they don't stay in the same spot.
Wait and test the water before swimming again.
How Long Does Pool Shock Take to Work?
It depends on the case. Usually, it takes from 12 to 24 hours for the product to work its magic.
People should always test their water after 24 hours to ensure all levels are in the right place. While people can technically swim again after six to eight hours after shocking, it's always recommended to test the pool first.
Should People Shock Their Pool Frequently?
As a rule of thumb, people should shock their pool at least once a week. This will help keep most contaminants out of it.
Pools that experience heavy rain or intense sunlight will need shocking right away before anyone else gets in again.
Conclusion
Shocking your pool isn't the same as maintaining a small hot tub. It's necessary to use the right equipment to kill bacteria and prevent algae from affecting the people using the pool. Our team can also advise on how often you should shock your pool in Arizona?
Certain solutions like using liquid chlorine or grabbing a net are great, but they may not offer the strong effect that shock promises. Those using shock for their swimming pools must take enough preventive measures to ensure the area is safe for everyone.
By taking the steps mentioned here, it will be much easier to prevent future problems from happening.
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