Pool Shock

Pool Shock is a convenient way to sanitize and disinfect swimming pool water. Using Pool Shock during your regular weekly pool maintenance will let your other pool chemicals function at their best to keep your pool water clean and clear! Pool Shock helps prevent the growth of pool algae, bacteria and chloramines, by raising the level of free available chlorine. Shock also helps remove those substances if they have taken up residence in your pool.

WHY USE POOL SHOCK

• Removes visible algae in the pool
• Removes invisible bacteria in the pool
• Removes chloramines and other disinfection byproducts
• Removes cloudy water by oxidizing suspended particles
• Removes organic and inorganic contaminants
• Maintains healthy, sanitary pool water

WHEN TO SHOCK

It is best to shock at night for a couple of reasons:

• For most shocks, you can’t swim for about 8-10 hours after shocking, so it’s best to do the shocking treatment when you’re done swimming for the day.
• The sun can eat up the shock because it is not stabilized, so it’s best to shock when the sun isn’t out for maximum performance.

HOW OFTEN TO SHOCK YOUR POOL

Many people “shock” their pool, or superchlorinate, once per week. This may not be necessary, unless you have high bather loads, algae or chloramine levels greater than 0.3ppm. A DPD test kit will help you calculate chloramine levels in your pool. If all is well, it may be advisable to shock monthly, to ensure that the water remains sanitary.

HOW TO SHOCK A POOL

1. Clean the Pool. Leaves and debris on the floor and surface will waste your chlorine’s killing power, as it attacks these organic materials, rather than the A-B-C problem that we are trying to correct.
2. Lower the pH. Chlorine is very sluggish at high pH levels. At a pH of 8.0, less than half of the chlorine you add to the water will convert to hypochlorous acid, the killing form of chlorine. Lower the pH to 7.2 before shocking.
3. Read the Label. We have 8 different types of pool shock, all with slightly different dosages. For some pool shock, dilution in a bucket is necessary to dissolve the granules, to prevent damage to pool surfaces.
4. Add the Shock. Distribute the granular chlorine throughout the pool surface, with the pool pump running. Be careful not to spill any on your clothing or the pool deck, and don’t broadcast it into the wind!
5. Brush the Pool. This helps to distribute the chemical, and removes the layer of dust and film on your pool surfaces, which may allow some contaminants to escape treatment. A good brushing, vacuuming and backwashing should follow an algae shock treatment.

MORE INFO ABOUT POOL SHOCK

For more detailed information, including the A-B-Cs of Pool Shock, Pros and Cons, and Pool Shock Safety, read the In The Swim eGuide.

Read the eGuide