Get Rid of The Gunk – Shock Your Pool This Spring

When the cold winter weather finally dissipates and the warmer weather arrives, it’s time to turn your attention to your pool to get it up and running so that you can enjoy every possible minute during those glorious summer days. But after the winter months of hibernation, algae can often form along the walls and floor of the pool, leaving a green film. The solution? Your pool needs a good shock.

What is Shocking?

Shocking is a popular method employed by pool owners and pool maintenance technicians alike to eliminate all that gunk and film that commonly develops throughout the winter months. By adding three to five times the normal amount of chlorine (or other chemical sanitizer) to the pool water, it gives a quick boost and “shocks” the water levels in order to clean and sterilize the pool. The amount of chlorine should be determined based on the severity of the algae. If it isn’t too severe, aim for 10-20 ppm. If it is, aim for 30 ppm to be most effective. Take a sample of your pool water to a nearby pool store; they will be able to test the water and give a recommendation for how much chlorine to add.

How to Shock your Pool

Scrub the Pool and Check pH Levels

Before you can begin the shock treatment, you first must scrub your pool. Focus on any areas where you can see signs of algae. After loosening the algae, you should determine what the pH level is in your pool. You can check this by using a simple test kit. The optimal levels should be between 7.2 – 7.4 in order to allow the chlorine to be most effective. Be sure to administer the correct amount of chlorine according to the instructions of the shock that you’re using, as potency can vary.

Add Shock to Water

Always add chemicals to water; never pour water on chemicals. Fill a bucket with pool water, then slowly add granular pool shock to the bucket and stir. Once it has dissolved, pour the liquid into the pool and stir your pool up.  Be sure to keep the pump and filter on during this process.

Wait 12 to 24 hours

You need to let the chlorine work its way through that film. This will usually take between 12 to 48 hours for the chlorine to clear up the pool or change the algae from green to a white/grey colour. After the waiting period, the algae will then settle throughout the pool.

Clean the Pool

Once the remaining algae has changed colour and settled, it’s time to clean it up. You can use a flocculant (clarifying agent) to vacuum the debris so that it doesn’t end up clogging up your filter.  Be thorough with your vacuum and give the pool another scrub with a clean brush afterward.

Test your Pool

Once the pool is finally clean and clear of algae, it’s time to test the different levels of chemicals that are present. Ensure that each measurement meets the proper levels for safe water. This is also necessary to prevent algae from resurfacing.

Maintaining sufficient levels of chlorine, as well as balanced levels of chemicals consistent throughout the pool season, is important for maintaining safe, algae free water so that you can indulge in the pool during those hot summer days. So start prepping your pool now by shocking it in the spring!