chlorine lock

The fastest way to do this is by shocking your pool. But not the way you normally do. Your best bet is to triple shock it with calcium hypochlorite. To triple shock, add 3 pounds of shock per 10,000 gallons of water.

How does chlorine lock happen?

Chlorine lock is what sometimes can happen when you have added too much pool stabilizer, or CYA, to a pool. CYA (cyanuric acid) is a chemical intended to protect the chlorine molecules from being eaten up by UV rays too quickly, and if you get too much of it, it can completely block your chlorine and render it useless.

How do I get rid of chlorine lock in my pool?

An easy way to fight Chlorine Lock is to add more non-stabilized chlorine or cal-hypo to up your FC levels. This can be done by adding high percentage pool shock or bleach (yes, the kind you find at those big box stores). But not the splashless bleach, because additives within the formula foul your water.

Does rain cause chlorine lock?

Heavy rainfall can cause chlorine demand if the rainwater that falls into your pool is full of particulates or chemicals. It introduces large amounts of contaminates that the chlorine has to fight. Leaving your pool untreated and unattended for months can also create the conditions for chlorine demand.

Why is my pool not holding chlorine?

If you test your pool water and can’t get a chlorine reading, it may be due to your pool’s high demand for chlorine. A high chlorine demand (sometimes referred as chlorine lock), simply means that although your water may appear clear and balanced, the chlorine in your pool is ineffective.

Is it safe to swim in a pool with low chlorine?

The Bottom Line about Pools and Chlorine

As mentioned above, you could probably swim in a pool without chlorine without any major health issues. However, long-term use of a pool lacking chlorinated H2O could make you sick or, at the very least, contribute to rashes and other types of skin irritation.

Can you add too much chlorine to a pool?

Of course, too much chlorine in pool water can be dangerous. Exposure to over-chlorination can provoke asthma, lung irritation, and potentially skin and eye irritation. As well as being potentially bad for you, it’s bad for your pool.

What happens if combined chlorine is high?

If your total chlorine level is high, you will use a non-chlorine shock; if it is low, you will use a chlorinated shock. As a rule, you will need to raise free chlorine to 10 times your combined chlorine to hit what is known as “break point.” Therefore, it is good to deal with combined chlorine while it is still small.

How long does cyanuric acid last?

The half-life of chlorine—when exposed to direct sunlight—is about 45 minutes. That means half your chlorine is gone in 45 minutes. Another 45 minutes, another half of your chlorine is gone.

Why does my pool lose chlorine so fast?

What is Chlorine Loss? Chlorine demand is the consistent inability of your pool to maintain chlorine levels. It’s usually caused by a high level of inorganic and organic contaminants in the water. Those contaminants force the chlorine to work extremely hard to oxidize them, leaving little chlorine to protect swimmers.

How do I know if my chlorinator is working?

The easiest way to ascertain if the chlorinator is working is to make sure the cell is clean by checking the needle or production lights. Ensure there is enough salt in the pool. On the chlorinator box there should be a light or dial that indicates it is working.