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Shocking the pool means adding extra chlorine to the water to eliminate excess bacteria, algae and other microorganisms from your pool. If you miscalculate and add more tablets or granules than necessary during the shocking process, or during routine maintenance, this can cause a high chlorine level.
What happens if chlorine levels are too high?
Having too much chlorine in your pool water can be dangerous. Exposure to high levels of chlorine can cause lung irritation, skin and eye damage, and provoke asthma. High chlorine levels decrease the pH of your pool’s water, making it more acidic. The more acidic the water, the higher the likelihood of corrosion.
How long does it take for chlorine levels to go down?
Heavy shocking with granular chlorine will generally require 24-48 hours before the chlorine level has dropped to safe swimming levels (below 5 ppm). Lithium and Non-Chlorine shock labels typically allow immediate swimming, but check the package label, to be sure.
What causes chlorine levels to be high?
One of the causes of a high chlorine demand is an excessive buildup of algae and phosphates. Although you’re adding chlorine to your water, bacteria or algae are overpowering the chemicals causing it not to show up on tests strips or in water kits.
Can you swim if chlorine is high?
Pools will naturally gas-off chlorine from the surface, and very high levels can irritate airways and lungs. This is especially true for indoor pools. At chlorine levels over 10 ppm, swimsuits can begin to fade. Pool covers become damaged, and the water is generally uncomfortable and unsafe for swimmers.
How do I bring the chlorine down in my pool?
Tips to Lower the Chlorine Level in Your Pool Stop Adding Chlorine and Start Swimming. Use the Sunshine. Heat the Pool Water. Dilute the Pool. Use Hydrogen Peroxide. Use a Chlorine Neutralizing Product. Try Sodium Thiosulfate.
What to do if total chlorine is higher than free chlorine?
If total chlorine is higher than free chlorine, there are contaminants in the pool. Subtract the free chlorine measurement from the total chlorine measurement to calculate the amount of combined chlorine (total – free = combined). If combined chlorine is higher than 0.5 ppm you should shock the pool.
Can I get in hot tub with high chlorine?
Use the spa pool Levels of around 5 ppm can be high but are generally safe for swimming. Make sure not to swim in water with chlorine levels above 10 ppm. If you do, you and other people in the spa pool could run the risk of serious skin irritation and discomfort.
What is a good chlorine neutralizer?
The best chlorine neutralizer available for swimming pools is still sodium thiosulfate.
Why won’t My chlorine levels go down?
Chlorine lock can occur when there is too much cyanuric acid (also referred to as conditioner or stabilizer) in the water. This occurs when too much stabilizer is added to the water or when the swimming pool isn’t being partially drained and refilled periodically. Chlorine lock can also occur if the pH is unbalanced.
What happens if you put too much shock in a pool?
Adding too much shock or overshocking your pool will kill off algae. The negative of adding too much shock is it will upset the chemical balance of your pool. It’s likely to do that regardless of if you overshocked the pool or not. The pH will either go up or down depending on which product you used.
What is the highest chlorine level safe to swim in?
Safe chlorine levels range between 1 and 3 parts per million. At concentrations above 6 ppm, the pool is unsafe.
How do you fix high pH?
To bring down pH, use a made-for-pools chemical additive called pH reducer (or pH minus). The main active ingredients in pH reducers are either muriatic acid or sodium bisulfate (also called dry acid). Reducers are readily available at pool supply stores, home improvement centers and online.
How do you tell if there is too much chlorine in a pool?
Chlorine toxicity in pools: causes, symptoms and solutions Nausea and vomiting. Coughing and wheezing. Burning sensation in eyes, nose and throat. Rash or burning skin. Shortness of breath. Dizziness. Watery eyes.
What chemicals reduce chlorine?
Use Chemical Agents to Reduce Chlorine Levels Two different chemical agents that can reduce chlorine levels are Sodium Thiosulfate and Pool-Grade Hydrogen Peroxide (specific to pool treatment). Be sure to test your water after using one of these agents as they tend to impact pH, sometimes dramatically.
Does too much chlorine make your pool cloudy?
Excessive levels of pool chemicals can cause your water to become cloudy. High pH, high alkalinity, high chlorine or other sanitisers, and high calcium hardness are all common culprits.
How long should you run filter after shocking pool?
A pool filter should be run for a minimum of 6 hours after shocking a swimming pool. This is to allow the filter to clean the water and give the shock enough time to fully mix with the pool water. Running the filter after shocking for 24 hours to 7 days is necessary if the pool has a large amount of algae.
How long should chlorine last in hot tub?
How Long do Chlorine Tablets Last in a Hot Tub? Small 20g chlorine tablets will dissolve slowly over a period of 3-7 days depending on water flow, water temperature and hot tub usage.
How long does it take to lower chlorine in hot tub?
Lowering High Chlorine Levels. Wait for the chlorine levels to lower on their own if you’re not in a rush. Chlorine levels naturally break down over time. Try waiting 24-48 hours, and then test your hot tub water again.
