Pool what is free chlorine

An electronic chlorine tester is the most accurate tool for monitoring chlorine levels. These devices provide accurate, precise measurements in ppm, rather than an approximated range, without the need for a color comparison. Maintaining chlorine levels within the ideal range ensures that the water is safe and minimizes buildup of chloramines. Pool water test kits can help determine if levels are outside the ideal range, but swimmers might notice a chlorine smell, or complain of minor eye or skin irritation.

If the levels are out of the safe range, do not allow swimmers in the pool until it is properly treated and the levels test within range. If total chlorine is higher than free chlorine, there are contaminants in the pool. If combined chlorine is higher than 0. Depending on the total chlorine level, use either a non-chlorine shock or a chlorinated shock.

To raise the free chlorine level, add chlorine to the pool water. Chlorine tablets, granular chlorine or chlorinated shock will do the job. Chlorine may become locked, or chemically bound up, by an excessive amount of pool stabilizer in the water. It is possible that too much of the stabilizer was added. This could also occur if the pool water has not been partially drained and replenished on occasion.

A pH imbalance could also lock up chlorine. Mark is a seasoned green industry veteran and freelance writer based in Georgia. His work encompasses all things garden, landscape, home improvement, and DIY, with a focus on sustainability.

He occasionally blogs about his gardening adventures at theprudentgarden. Lexie is an assistant editor who is responsible for writing and editing articles over a wide variety of home-related topics.

Select Region. United States. United Kingdom. Mark Wolfe, Lexie Pelchen. Contributor, Editor. Editorial Note: Forbes Advisor may earn a commission on sales made from partner links on this page, but that doesn't affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.

Find a Contractor. Was this article helpful? In normal operation total chlorine can be used as if it was free chlorine because combined chlorine is usually zero. However when you have algae or some other problems, combined chlorine levels can be significant and total chlorine becomes useless. Under normal conditions, you may simply assume total chlorine is the same as free chlorine.

If you notice any algae, or experience a lingering chlorine smell, you may want to shock your pool. Testing your pool helps keep your water safe from viruses, bacteria, and algae, and ensures chemical levels are safe and comfortable.

The Pool Volume Calculator makes it easy to calculate the volume of rectangular, oval, and circular pools quickly. There are few things that can spoil your day more than cloudy water in your pool.

Testing your pool chemistry can help find the problem. Saltwater and chlorine are the two major types of pool sanitation. Read on to learn the benefits and challenges with both! Pool algae is an unfortunate yet common problem many pool owners face.

This article describes the types of algae and how you can prevent it. Total alkalinity is similar and correlated to cyanuric acid. Want to know what the different types of chlorine mean? Read on to learn about Free chlorine, combined Chlorine, and Total chlorine. Click here to try our Pool Calculator Web App. Chlorine Quick Answers What is Free Chlorine — Free Chlorine is the amount of chlorine that has not yet combined with chlorinated water to sanitize contaminants.

What is Combined Chlorine — Combined chlorine is an intermediate breakdown product that is created in the process of sanitizing the pool. What is Total Chlorine — Total chlorine is the sum of free chlorine and combined chlorine. What is Free Chlorine? Sometimes, after a party, for example, your chlorine level will just bottom out. When this happens, you want to quickly get your chlorine level back up to the recommended ppm parts per million before algae or bacteria can gain a foothold.

If this is the case, you will want to use a chlorine shock. How often you need to shock your pool is dependent on many factors such as bather load and frequency, weather factors such as extended periods of rain or sun, and environmental factors like pollen, leaves or dust. All that said, a general rule of thumb for most pool owners is you should shock once a week, knowing, however, that unusual events might require more frequent shockings.

The ideal time to shock your pool is in the evening after all swimming is complete. In the evening because the sun will not be boiling the chlorine out of your pool, and after everyone is done swimming because shocking is going to bring the chlorine level up to a level that may be irritating to skin and eyes.

Shocking a pool — what is it, why and when to do it. Shocking is the process of adding chemicals usually chlorine to your pool to: break apart chloramines, also known as combined chlorine quickly raise your chlorine level kill algae, bacteria or other harmful pathogens Chloramines Bad, Free Chlorine Good The most common reason for shocking your pool or spa is to deal with combined chlorine.

Total chlorine is simply the combination of free and combined chlorine. Zero Chlorine Bad, ppm Good The second most common reason for shocking your pool or spa is to raise the sanitizer level quickly.

Is That Algae I See? Nighty-night The ideal time to shock your pool is in the evening after all swimming is complete.

Other times that may require an extra dose of shocking: After a party - the extra bather load of active swimmers will put additional strain on chlorine in the pool.