Ideally, you should shock your pool on a weekly basis. If you forget or decide to put it off, the need to shock your pool could become even more urgent. As noted in our last article (see Parts 1, 2 & 3), it’s important to give your pool a shock treatment at the beginning and end of pool season, every time you notice evidence of an algae outbreak, and whenever the free chlorine level dips below 3ppm. There are two more times when you definitely ought to shock your pool.
Shock Your Pool Following a Pool Party
If you have any kind of large gathering, whether it be a party or just a week when your pool tends to get used more often than normal, you’ll want to be sure to give it a shock treatment. The more people and pool accessories that enter the pool, the more likely it will be to get full of germs. Everything from perspiration to makeup and urine can cloud up your pool water very quickly. Take action to stop the spread of germs before they deplete your pool’s free chlorine level and cause an algae bloom.
Shock Your Pool After Heavy Rains
If your area experiences a storm that includes a torrential downpour of rain or high winds, chances are good that your pool has gotten some algae spores in it. That probability of contamination, along with the displacement of water, are important reasons to shock your pool after a storm.
Pool Shock Varieties
Now that we’ve looked at some of the times it’s crucial to shock your pool, we will turn our attention to the different types of pool shock that are currently available on the market. Each type has its advantages and disadvantages that you’ll want to consider before deciding which one to use on your pool. Look for them either online or at local pool supply retailers.
Affordable and Effective Calcium Hypo Shock
This granular substance, called calcium hypo shock, is more formally known as calcium hypochlorite. It’s extremely popular due to its affordability and effectiveness. This powerful shock is able to kill germs that cause various germ-induced maladies such as skin infections, respiratory infections, swimmer’s ear, and diarrhea.
If you choose to go with calcium hypo shock for your pool, use it at night because sunlight can cause it to lose its potency.
Slow Dissolving, Long-Lasting Sodium Dichlor
Sodium dichlor is another widely used granular chlorine that has a neutral pH level. It is known for providing lasting results due to its ability to dissolve slowly.
The major drawback to this form of pool shock is that it can raise the cyanuric acid levels in the water. So if you use Sodium dichlor to shock your pool, make sure to check the cyanuric acid levels and adjust them accordingly.
In our next article, we’ll look at two more pool shock alternatives. Then we’ll discuss answers to some common questions people have about pool shocking.
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