Pool Chlorine: Essential for Clean and Safe Swimming

Swimming pools and hot tubs are relaxing pastimes, but they need to be sanitized and cleaned regularly in order to keep them safe and fun. If you do not clean your pool and sanitize the water, it can grow algae and bacteria that can be unhealthy and gross.

Typically, chlorine and bromine are used as the most common chemicals for sanitizing a pool. However, there are many different products that can be used, and some have a different purpose than others.

Keep reading to find information on chlorine solutions for a pool, as well as details on pool chemicals and their various uses.

How Chlorine Keeps Your Pool Safe

A pool often has a buildup of contaminants in it, such as salmonella or E. coli. Adding chlorine to water forms a weak acidic chemical called hypochlorous acid. This acid kills the germs without posing a threat to swimmers.

Bleach Versus Chlorine for Your Pool

Chlorine for a pool commonly contains calcium hypochlorite at about 63g per litre. Household bleach is water that has sodium hypochlorite, typically referred to simply as chlorine (not to be confused with chlorine gas). Household Bleaches contain only 3-6% chlorine.

How Is Chlorine Made?

Chlorine itself is an element that occurs naturally, usually as a salt known as sodium chloride. Chlorine for use in a swimming pool is usually separated from sodium chloride using brine electrolysis and is then made into chlorine salts such as lithium hypochlorite.

Can I Use Bleach In My Swimming Pool?

Bleach and chlorine are chemically very similar to each other (in some cases, actually identical). The difference between the two is generally the concentration of chlorine salts used (not to be confused with chlorine gas).

For sanitizing a pool, you can use regular bleach as long as it has a relatively high concentration of chlorine. You will also want to make sure it is free of additives such as fragrances or colourings.

How to Use Bleach To Clean Your Pool

The best concentration of chlorine for sanitizing a pool is generally between 1-3 parts per million (ppm). Clorox recommends using 100-200 fluid ounces of bleach per 10,000 gallons of water.

Chlorine or bleach for sanitizing water can be added by hand in liquid, powder, or tablet form, or by using an automatic pool chlorinator. It is important that you follow any manufacturer’s instructions and safety recommendations for chemical use.

You will want to make sure you have testing kits on hand for ensuring that your pool has an appropriate concentration of chlorine. Too little will not be effective, and too much will be harsh and potentially irritating to the skin and causing burning eyes.

What Is Pool Shock?

Aside from the regular chemicals used to sanitize water and keep it safe, there are other chemical processes that are important for proper pool maintenance. Pool shocking refers to adding additional chlorine to the pool periodically to shock and kill pathogens.

Shocking a pool typically involves raising the free chlorine levels to about ten times the regular chlorine level of your pool. This is referred to as “breakpoint chlorination”. The process of pool shocking can be accomplished by following these simple steps:

• Use a test kit to identify the levels of free chlorine dissolved in your pool.
• Add chlorine until the free chlorine levels reach breakpoint chlorination.
• You can use the following as a sign that the breakpoint has been reached:
  • The combination chlorine level drops below 0.5
  • Overnight free chlorine testing indicates 1 ppm or less
  • Any visible growth or cloudiness disappears completely

Finding The Right Balance of Pool Water Chemicals

Chemicals used for sanitizing a pool include chlorine and bromine. The pool chemicals used are important for your equipment's maintenance lifespan. If your pool reaches a pH level that's balanced, it can reduce the need for cleaning and maintenance.

Does Chlorine Irritate The Eyes?

While heavily chlorinated water may cause irritation of the eyes, skin, or respiratory problems, it is also common for pathogens in poorly chlorinated water to cause irritation. If you want to be safe, it is important to test your water daily to ensure proper chemical concentration.

Final Thoughts

While a swimming pool is a great way to stay cool and pass the time in the summer, it is important that they are properly maintained in order to ensure the health effects and safety of swimmers, as well as the proper maintenance of equipment.

While chlorine for a pool and household bleach is very similar chemicals, they are not exactly the same. The main difference between the two is the concentration of chlorine present. Household bleach usually has much lower concentrations.

For expert swimming pool maintenance in Toronto, contact People for Pools at 647-710-8926, located at 1585 Britannia Rd E, Unit B3 Mississauga, ON L4W 2M4, and ensure your pool is properly sanitized.