Alternatives to Shocking Pools

Chlorine

• This chemical plays a very important role in the health of your pool water. It combats the bacteria, living organisms, dirt, debris and algae spores that find their way into the pool via wind, rain, runoff and human and animal bodies. Pool water that smells unpleasant and causes irritation to your eyes, nose and skin is often mistaken for being too heavily chlorinated, when in fact the opposite is true. Too little chlorine is present, and what is present is tied up and unable to do its job.

Ammonia

• The culprit when it comes to tied-up chlorine is ammonia. Ammonia is introduced into the pool in the same way that all other contaminants are, but it is introduced in large part by humans and animals through bodily fluids and oils. Chlorine is unable to eliminate ammonia and instead binds to it, creating chloramines. They register as chlorine in water tests, but are unable to keep the pool water clean and fresh.

Shocking

• By measuring the amount of chlorine in the water and calculating the amount that needs to be added, you can introduce the correct amount of chlorine to keep the water clean. As long as the amount of chlorine exceeds the amount of ammonia and chloramines, your pool water will be clear and fresh. In addition to chlorine, the water must be shocked periodically using something such as calcium or lithium hyperchlorite, both of which are chlorine-based.

Nonchlorine Shock

• Pools may also be shocked with oxygen in the form of potassium monopersulfate. This nonchlorine-based shock is strong, odorless and does not degrade when exposed to UV sunlight the way chlorine-based shocks will. It can be used during the day, rather than the recommended evening shocks, and the pool can be used within minutes, as opposed to hours as with chlorine shocks. Use this shock alternative in conjunction with a preventative shock schedule to keep your pool water healthy and sparkling.