Over-chlorination poses several risks to you and your pool.
It can provoke asthma and cause skin irritation and can corrode the metal in your pool. If your pool is over-chlorinated, then you have a few steps you can take to get it back to normal. In this article, we’re going to show you what you can do:
- Determine the Severity of the Over-Chlorination
- Don’t Add Any More Chlorine
- Let the Sunlight Destroy the Chlorine
- Use a Chemical to Counteract the High Chlorine Levels
Determine the Severity of the Over-Chlorination
Before you proceed, you want to know exactly how badly the pool is over-chlorinated. Is it only slightly off? Then it will be an easy fix.
Are the chlorine levels much higher than they should be?
You will need to take more drastic measures.
After that, determine when you next need to use your pool to see how much time you have, and then do one of the following. Don’t Add Any More Chlorine
At low levels (maybe only slightly over 3 ppm), then just don’t add any more chlorine.
That’s all there is to it.
Just be sure to turn off your chlorinator, and to remove any chlorine floaters. Also, check to be sure your skimmer doesn’t have a chlorine tablet in it.
If it does, you’ll want to take it out for the next time you skim your pool. After that, just let people start swimming.
The natural oils and debris they bring with them will fix the problem.
Let the Sunlight Destroy the Chlorine
The second option is also pretty simple, just let the sun take care of it. As long as you have two or three hours before anyone needs to jump into the pool, then you should be able to do this step no problem.
Just remove your pool cover. Ultraviolet rays destroy chlorine in your pool.
If there are few or no clouds, then in a couple of hours your problem will be all gone. Again, be sure not to add anymore chlorine during this time.
Otherwise, the process won’t work. Once the chlorine levels drop to 2 ppm, then you can start adding chlorine back at a normal rate.
Use a Chemical to Counteract the High Chlorine Levels
If the chlorine levels are significantly higher than they should be, you’ll likely need to take this step. This solution works quickly, but you’ll need to be precise.
Firstly, follow exactly the instructions on the chemicals.
Messing this part up could lead to worse problems. Add the instructed amount, gradually.
Be sure not to overuse the chemical, or you’ll entirely destroy the chlorine in the pool. Returning the pool’s chlorine levels to normal is much more difficult once you’ve artificially neutralized it.
Therefore, again we emphasize to only add the instructed amount. Once you’re finished, test the pH, since many of these neutralizers will alter the pool’s pH levels.
As you can see, it’s not too difficult. Your pool will be back to normal in no time.
