Why the Level of Chlorine Is Not Going Down in Your Pool
For a swimming pool owner, the need to maintain the correct level of disinfectant in a pool's water is vital. Luckily, the most common pool disinfectant, chlorine, is relatively easy to manage. Keeping pool chlorine levels stable only requires a bit of work with chlorine, pH balance and chlorine stabilizers and neutralizers. For example, effort is often required to reduce stubbornly high pool chlorine levels. Fortunately, a couple of different methods can make pool chlorine levels decline.
Excess Chlorination
In many cases, the simplest reason for high chlorine levels in a pool is because too much chlorine is being added. Chlorine works by binding with microorganisms in a pool's water, thereby dissipating itself. If chlorine is added too often and while monitored levels are much above 3 parts per million (ppm), it may just sit there because it has nothing to do because there isn't any bacteria for pool chlorine to attack.
Sunlight
In outdoor swimming pools, one of chlorine's greatest enemies is sunlight. When exposed to a lot of sunlight, chlorine will dissipate rapidly. Keeping a pool covered with a dark pool cover can be a cause related to stubbornly high chlorine levels. With no sunlight hitting a pool's water often enough, any added chlorine may just sit there, too. Combine frequent chlorination and a lack of consistent sunlight and see how easily chlorine can remain persistently high.
- In many cases, the simplest reason for high chlorine levels in a pool is because too much chlorine is being added.
Chlorine Neutralizers
Often, the most effective quick fix to the problem of stubbornly high chlorine levels in a pool is to use a chlorine neutralizer. Sodium thiosulfate is the chemical of choice to reduce chlorine in a pool down to recommended ranges. The typical chlorine reduction dose of sodium thiosulfate is about 6 oz. per 10,000 gallons of pool water. When used to lower pool chlorine levels, sodium thiosulfate is often applied when those levels start exceeding about 6 ppm.
Considerations
The recommended level of pool chlorine in a pool's water is 2 ppm. Chlorine shouldn't be allowed to decline below 1 ppm or go above 3 ppm. One of the simplest ways to reduce chlorine in a pool is to just not add any more until it finally dissipates. Test for chlorine levels about twice weekly and also monitor pH balance. Pool water pH that's between 7 and 8 won't usually have a problem with high chlorine levels.
- Often, the most effective quick fix to the problem of stubbornly high chlorine levels in a pool is to use a chlorine neutralizer.
Testing
Maintaining effective pool chemical balances is made much easier by using a good all-purpose pool test kit. At minimum, use a testing kit to ensure that chlorine levels are where they need to be and that pH balance exists. Also, monitor your pool's chlorine stabilizer level. Cyanuric acid (CA) will help prevent sunlight from eliminating chlorine and will allow it to be adjusted with little risk of over-chlorination.
Related Articles
References
- MaintainYourPool.com: How to Maintain Swimming Pool Water
- AmericanChemistry.com: Pool Treatment 101: Introduction to Chlorine Sanitizing
- SwimmingPoolCare.com: Pool Chlorine Smell - It Means a Poorly Sanitized Pool
- CleanPoolAndSpa.com: Swimming Pool Problems
- SwimmingPoolMaintenanceTips.com: What Causes Burning Eyes in Swimming Pool Water?
Resources
Writer Bio
Tony Guerra served more than 20 years in the U.S. Navy. He also spent seven years as an airline operations manager. Guerra is a former realtor, real-estate salesperson, associate broker and real-estate education instructor. He holds a master's degree in management and a bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary studies.
