If you’re considering closing your pool for the next few months, as we talked about recently, it’s time to start thinking about pool shock. If you are a longtime pool owner, you may already know everything you need, but if this is your first go-around, we’re here to help. You’ve probably heard of the importance of shocking your pool before, but what does that mean? Let’s take a closer look.

What Is Pool Shock?

Shocking your pool is the process by which you add a chemical to your pool in order to raise the level of free chlorine and oxidize older, combined (or used) chlorine. Oxidizing this combined chlorine is important because it essentially resets your water, helping to keep it clean and easier to maintain in the long run. The chemical most commonly used for this application is calcium hypochlorite (Cal-Hypo) due to its affordability and its limited effect on other pool chemical levels.

When Should You Shock Your Pool?

Shocking your pool on a regular basis (about every two weeks) is ideal, but there are also times when it might be necessary to add pool shock outside of your usual schedule.

Weather

Different types of weather issues can have certain effects on your water that lead to needing pool shock. Rain in particular can throw off your pool’s pH balance and bring in contaminants. But, shocking your pool will help you get back on track and begin bringing your levels back in line.

Excessive heat and sunshine is another weather factor that can move shocking your pool to the top of your list due to the fact that it causes your free chlorine to be used up faster. Whether this is from evaporation or the extra work your chlorine has to do to fight against bacteria that thrive at higher temperatures, pool shock will help you prevent your water from turning murky.

Heavy Use

If your pool has been used excessively, then it is taking on more than the usual amount of bacteria, oils, sweat, and other contaminants. When this is the case, or if you begin to notice murkiness, algae growth, or a strong chlorine smell that is out of the norm, it may be a good time to shock your pool.

Opening or Closing

As we mentioned avoid, shock is an important part of closing your pool. In fact, adding shock is the last thing you should do before closing your pool for the year, and the first thing you need to do when reopening. When closing, shocking your pool preps the water for the time of lower maintenance over winter, and when opening, shocking your pool oxidizes the old used chlorine and gets your pool ready for the incoming increase in usage.

Hopefully, you have found this information to be helpful. As always, if you or someone you know is in the market to begin a new pool construction project, we would love to add you to our list of happy customers. All you need to is schedule a free, in-home estimate anytime. We look forward to hearing from you!

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