Informational Articals - Chlorine Shock

Chlorine shock is the process of raising the level of chlorine in your swimming pool to an amount that is 10 times what it should be. This is done to create a shocking affect which is similar to lightning bolts that penetrate everything in the water and destroying it. This is a very fast and effective way of eliminating bacteria from forming in your swimming pool. It also helps remove the powerful odor of chlorine from your pool.

A chlorine shock is best performed after the swimming pool has been used by a large number of people. You should also complete the process if you see yellowing on the swimming pool walls or the water is very hazy looking. These are all indicators that your pool doesn’t have the right balance of chlorine or that your swimming pool filter may need to be looked at.

For a chlorine shock to work though you have to have some level of chlorine already in the water. The amount you need depends on the size of your pool so refer to the instructions that came with the chlorine shock. Generally you will need one pound of chlorine shock per 10,000 gallons of water. You don’t want to add too much or too little chlorine shock or you won’t get the results you are after.

You can use testing strips to immediately find out how much chlorine the pool contains. Just dip the strip in the water and wait for it to change the color. You will have a chart that tells you what they colors mean. In addition to testing the level of chlorine in the pool it is a good idea to test pH and alkaline levels as well.

In most instances you will be able to use your swimming pool within minutes of completing a chlorine shock treatment. Make sure you read the directions that come with the particular product you are using though. When used properly you will be able to clean and disinfect your swimming pool without adding more harsh chemicals to the water. This is a very effective way to keep your pool safe and be able to enjoy it as often as you like.