How To Raise Free Chlorine In Pool: Tips & Tricks Included

Who doesn’t enjoy swimming? Hence, a swimming pool is an ideal place for it. However, you need to sanitize the pool water after a certain period if you want to stay healthy and safe. Adding free chlorine will do an excellent job of oxidizing and sanitizing the pool water.

If you are a pool owner, you must be familiar with the struggles of raising chlorine levels at your pool. But now you don’t have to worry. We’ll tell you how to raise free chlorine in the pool through this article. If you are looking for some easy methods to raise chlorine levels, we recommend reading the article to the bottom line.

How To Raise Free Chlorine In Pool

Measuring Chlorine Levels

You must be thinking that chlorine is just simply chlorine. Then how can there be so many parameters of measuring chlorine levels? 

No chemical is as vital as chlorine when it comes to cleaning the swimming pool’s water and keeping it germ-free. We will discuss these types of chlorine measuring parameters so you can understand which you can use based on the situation. 

Free Chlorine

Free chlorine can interact with chemicals, bacteria, algae, and many other particles present in pool water.  Mainly, it is used to clean all the contaminants and sanitize the pool water. 

Combined Chlorine

When you add the free chlorine, it oxidizes the contaminants like nitrogen and ammonia. But the remaining chlorine is used up because it combines with the pollutants. Then it works against germs and dirt. 

This is how the combined chlorine is formed. However, its capability to sanitize the water will be reduced compared to free chlorine. 

Total Chlorine

To put the concept simply, total chlorine is the combination of free chlorine and combined chlorine in the pool water. So when you see the level of free chlorine and total chlorine are the same, you won’t need to use the combined chlorine in the pool. But if the free chlorine is lower than the total chlorine level, the difference between these two is called the combined level of chlorine. 

Why Should You Maintain Chlorine Levels in A Pool?

Some people may wonder, why they would maintain chlorine levels in a scheduled way. Chloramine, algae, and sanitizer levels are the reasons behind it. 

We will show you some more details about these facts to convince you why you should maintain chlorine balance. 

Break Chloramine

When you use the free chlorine to sanitize your pool, the chlorine reacts with the contaminants and forms ammonia or nitrogen. These contaminants include chloramine. It reduces the effectiveness of chlorine. 

If you don’t raise the chlorine level, the chloramines will create a comfortable environment for germs. Some cloudy or milky chloramines will float at the surface of pool water. After some time, the pool will lose its sparkle and clarity. 

Raise Sanitizer Level

The main reason behind raising the chlorine level or keeping it at a standard point is to increase the level of sanitizers. And the best way to sanitize the water is by increasing the free chlorine level in the pool.

Typically, the pool water contains many germs. As many people use it, the number of germs increases after every use. Therefore, you have to remove the germs before you use them next time. If not, the microorganisms will feel free to grow in pool water.  

Get Rid of Algal Blooms

As mentioned earlier, pool water is ideal for microorganisms, and algae are among the most prominent pollutants. If the chlorine level is low, the algae can speed up their reproduction. 

So what? Why would you bother, right? It is worrisome because algae are very hazardous, unhygienic, and risky to your health. People who use the pool will be at potential risk of getting sick. 

Possible Methods to Raise Free Chlorine Levels

As you have learned the importance of raising chlorine levels, you need to apply some techniques to adjust the level. Several methods are available to use in your pool. 

Chlorine Tablets

For a pool owner, chlorine tablets are top-rated when it comes to adjusting the chlorine level of pool water. Mainly, these tablets are Trichloroisocyanuric acid that will dissolve easily when it comes in contact with water. You will find it in any nearby shop or departmental store at a low cost. 

But there are some disadvantages you might face while using this technique. First of all, these tablets are highly concentrated. If you don’t give enough time to stabilize the chlorine in pool water, it can burn your skin. 

Again, you might need to add some Sodium Bicarbonate to reduce its acidity and corrosive nature. 

Granular Chlorine

Granules are just another form of chlorine that you can use in the pool. The Sodium Dichloroisocyanurate in granular form dissolves faster than other chlorine tablets. Therefore, you can use them when a quick dose of chlorine is needed to apply. 

The most significant advantage is that the granular chlorine doesn’t affect the total alkalinity. Hence, the pH level is always under control. But it comes with a bit higher cost than the tablets. 

It’s recommended to use them in chlorinators, floaters, feeders because of their quick-dissolving capability. 

Liquid Shock

Hey, don’t get tense because it’s not like an electric shock! Granular and liquid shock has the exact same chemicals which help to sanitize the pool water. 

Liquid chlorine is also known as Sodium hypochlorite, which is less costly than granular chlorine. Typically, 1 gallon of shock is applicable for 10,000 gallons of water. 

First, you have to pour some liquid into the pool with the help of a jug. Then, to prevent splashing, try to add the chlorine to the surface as close as possible. Finally, you can gradually move to the deeper end of the pool. 

Powder Shock

Some of the powder shocks can be applied directly to the pool as they can dissolve very quickly. But it would be best to mix the powder with water before applying. That’s because sometimes it may cause staining if you don’t mix it with the water. 

Salt & Mineral Chlorinator

Using a chlorinator is the most widely-used way to raise free chlorine levels in pools. All you need to do is to refill the chlorinator feeder with jumbo tablets. Then place the chlorinator back into the pool, and the pool is ready to be used again. 

Best Time To Shock A Pool To Raise Free Chlorine

You cannot shock a pool now and then. Evening or night is the best time to shock the pool. The reason is most of the people don’t use the pool at this period. The process needs about five to six hours to complete. Therefore, you should let it run overnight.

Another viable opportunity to shock a pool is right after there has been a pool party. Whenever there’s a communal gathering of people, the pool water will get a lot more polluted than usual. So, if you can deploy the shocking mechanism right after everyone has left the pool, it’ll be most effective in raising the free chlorine levels.

Tips & Tricks for Raising Free Chlorine Levels

If you are going to raise the free chlorine level of your pool, then these tips will help you during the process.

  • Give the process enough time to run
  • Don’t seek cheap techniques over effective ones
  • Use the tablets or granules from a renowned company
  • Raise free chlorine level at a proper schedule
  • If you mess up, seek help from experts
  • Always test the water before you start the process
  • Stay with one variety when it comes to chlorine choice
  • Replace the drain part of the pool with fresh water

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some FAQs that will come in handy if you are using any of these chlorine-raising techniques.

Is pool water terrible for the eyes as it contains chlorine?

Prolonged exposure to chlorine may cause you trouble with your eye. Therefore, it would be best to wear goggles while swimming.

Are cheap chlorine-raising techniques bad?

Using cheap techniques is not bad if you are on a budget. But make sure that you don’t spoil the water by raising chlorine to an intolerable level.

Can I add shock directly to the pool water?

You can liquid shock directly but be careful while using powder shock. It may not dissolve into the water quickly.

Should I use the filter while shocking the pool?

Shocking with chlorine kills the germs in the pool. You should use a filter to get rid of them afterward.

How often does the pool need to be shocked?

Some experts recommend shocking the pool once a week. If that’s not possible, then try to do it every other week.

Is there any difference between free chlorine and shock?

Free chlorine is used to sanitize the pool water. But a shock is heavily dosed with chlorine used to raise the chlorine level quickly. 

Bottom Line

Maintaining chlorine level is a crucial task if you are looking for a safe swimming environment. Therefore, you should know how to raise free chlorine in pool to avoid risks regarding this issue. Again, it will save your time and money if you maintain a well-balanced pool.

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