Did you know that chlorine and chlorine compounds are the most used pool disinfectants? Keeping up a regular pool maintenance routine is essential. It can be done with regular upkeep and monitoring, as well as the occasional shock application.
A pool must be shocked to release the bound chlorine and to keep the water clean. From how and why to shock your pool and how to find the best service in Phoenix to lower your pool’s pH levels – read on.
Pool Shock: A Technical Overview
Pools are vulnerable to contamination, and chlorine can be rendered ineffective by specific contaminants. Insufficient chlorine concentration may render the pollutant inert without eliminating it. In addition, chloramines cannot kill dangerous bacteria and other organisms.
If you shock a pool, the free chlorine concentration will increase to 5 and 10 ppm. When free chlorine concentrations are high enough, combined chlorine is dissociated. The water in your pool will be clean and safe for swimming once you’ve shocked it.
Why Should I Shock a Swimming Pool?
The concentration of chlorine in a swimming pool depends on the number of swimmers using it, the quantity of water pollutants, and the strength of the principal sanitizer used to treat the pool. Chlorine in swimming pools is specifically formulated to eradicate all microorganisms, including bacteria, germs, and algae.
Chlorine disinfects water by combining it with ammonia to generate chloramines. Shocking the pool is the only way to free the bound chlorine and keep the sanitation process uninterrupted.
Types of Pool Shock
Let’s take a look at the three different kinds of granular pool shock.
- Calcium Hypochlorite. Pool shock with calcium hypochlorite, or cal-hypo, is a highly effective and potent type of chlorine. Ideal for pools with a neutral to slightly acidic pH, it quickly eliminates algae, bacteria, and other impurities. This occurs because cal-hypo has a high pH level of 10.8 whereas its calcium content can help boost calcium hardness.
- Dichloro-S-Triazinetrione. Dichloro-S-triazinetrione pool shock, or dichlor for short, is a quick-dissolving solution that won’t alter the pool water’s pH or cause cloudiness. This stabilized chlorine pool shock contains some Cyanuric Acid, which helps keep the chlorine from decomposing too quickly. With continued dichlor use, the amount of CYA left behind will increase.
- Potassium Monopersulfate. This is the most popular pool shock type. Non-chlorine shock is an excellent tool to oxidize organic pollutants fast. Yet, there is no assurance that it will eliminate bacteria or algae. So, this kind of shock is not recommended when it is necessary to super-chlorinate the water. Shocking the water with a chlorine-free product has been shown to help with water clarity and it does not affect pH or the efficacy of enzyme treatments.
When Can You Swim in a Pool after Shocking It?
Shock treatment typically requires at least 8 hours. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines to get the most out of your shock therapy. With a non-chlorinated treatment, the time required comes down to 15 minutes. Nevertheless, these treatments are ineffective against algae bloom.
A Tailored Pool Service Provider For You
Once you’ve found a reliable service, shocking your pool is a breeze. To ensure that your pool is always clean and safe for swimming, choose Poolsmith Technologies.
We care for your pool in a natural, non-toxic manner and are the leading provider in Phoenix. Whether you need a lower ph in pool service in Phoenix or pool cleaning services, contact us today to learn more about us and who we know!
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