Chlorine is one of the key components in keeping your pool safe and germ-free. When using it as part of your pool’s maintenance routine, chlorine is a safe and effective way to disinfect and sanitize your pool and the water you swim in. Too much or too little chlorine in your pool’s water can throw off its delicate chemical balance and make your pool unsafe for your family to swim in. It’s extremely important that you monitor your pool’s chlorine levels at all times.
What Causes High Chlorine Levels?
Shocking your pool automatically raises your pool’s chlorine levels. Adding chlorine breaks down contaminants that are organic in nature. It eliminates bacteria, microorganisms, and algae and keeps them from taking over your pool. If you use too much chlorine, it can irritate your eyes and skin.
Signs You Have Too Much Chlorine.
Trying to smell chlorine is misleading. You can’t smell chlorine once it is in the water. If you get out of the pool and your eyes and skin begin to feel irritated, it’s a good sign that your pool’s chlorine levels are too high. The only way to check is to use a test kit. Testing kits also check for acid/alkaline balance and the pH level of the water. Maintaining proper levels will ensure your pool is properly sanitized and safe for your family.
Lowering Pool Chlorine Levels
There are a few different ways to lower your pool’s chlorine levels. Some may take longer than others, but lowering the levels will minimize the irritation you may experience when you get into your pool. Throughout the process, continue to check the pH balance of your pool water to ensure that it is safe for your family to swim in.
Exposing Water to Sunshine
Chlorine will dissipate gradually when exposed to direct sunlight. Take the cover off your pool and let the water soak up all the sunshine it can. Chlorine is released into the air when UV rays from the sun hit the water. Using a test kit will let you know when the chlorine in your pool water is back within a safe range.
Chlorine Neutralizers
The quickest way to lower high levels of chlorine as quickly as possible is to use a neutralizer. These include sodium sulfite and sodium thiosulfate, to name a few. These chemicals will re-establish the alkaline/acid balance in your pool’s water, making it safe for your family to enjoy.
Dilute Your Pool Water
You can also drain and refill part of the water out of your pool. While this is effective at lowering chlorine levels, it will also reduce the amounts of other pool chemicals. If you use this method to lower your chlorine levels, you will want to test the water to ensure the other chemical levels don’t drop too low.
Need Help in Lowering Chlorine Levels? Contact Sparkling Clear Pools
Too much chlorine can be harmful to your pool and your family. Contact the pool professionals at Sparkling Clear Pool service to learn more about handling common chemical imbalances within your pool water. Schedule a maintenance visit, and our pool techs will help you get your chemicals back in balance.
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