The importance of maintaining a well-balanced chlorine level in your pool is essential for keeping the water safe and clean. Yet, low-free-chlorine levels in pools emerge as a common issue for many pool owners which compromises the water's sanitation. So, let's dive into what are the most common causes of low free chlorine in pools and how to fix it.
What Is Free Chlorine?
Free chlorine is the fraction of the chlorine in your swimming pool water that's available to sanitize or kill bad bacteria, viruses, and algae. That's contrasted with combined chlorine, which has "used up" in its sanitizing power and is less effective. To maintain sufficient free chlorine to keep the water healthy without suffering from the problems associated with low levels
Causes of Low Free Chlorine in Pools:
- Heavy Pool Usage: If you have ever had an experience like a pool party or your pool has been used quite extensively, chlorine demand goes on the rampage. Every swimmer introduces organic materials such as sweat, sunscreen, and body oils that instantly demolish the free chlorine residuals.
- Higher levels of contaminants: The mud, leaves, and other debris that collect at the bottom of the pool absorb chlorine as it continues breaking down the contaminants. With increased contaminants in your pool, more work is expected of the chlorine to break them down and is therefore used faster.
- Sun Exposure (UV Rays): Ultraviolet rays from the sun can break up free chlorine very quickly. Without stabilizers (such as cyanuric acid), chlorine is less effective, and its levels fall more rapidly in outdoor pools.
- Imbalanced pH Levels: An imbalanced pH would greatly have an effect on chlorine's ability to sanitize the water. If pH is out of balance, chlorine will not be as effective. That means you'll need to add more for the right levels.
- Algae Growth: If the pool is plagued by algae, that is no nuisance, but a chlorine sinkhole. Algae guzzles chlorine as it tries to combat the bloom, leaving less to sanitize the pool.
- Inconsistent Chemical Additions: There is a tendency to forget to check and add chlorine, and or not adding the appropriate amount of chlorine, which leads to inconsistent levels. It's very critical that it be performed routinely, thus within optimal ranges of chlorine.
How to Fix Low Free Chlorine Levels
- Shock Your Pool: The best way to solve low free chlorine levels is through shock treatment. Shocking is a concentrated dose of chlorine added to raise the level quickly and oxidize existing contaminants. We highly recommend Chloro Maxx 90 TCCA Granules , which dissolves fast and kills bacteria, viruses, and algae to help restore your free chlorine levels.
- Check and Adjust pH Levels: Now, you must test the pH before you add more chlorine. Your pH must be between 7.2 and 7.6. If it goes out of this range, it significantly lowers the effectiveness of chlorine. So, use Pool Maxx pH Up to bring your levels up to scratch so that chlorine can effectively do its work.
- Use a Chlorine Stabilizer: Adding a stabilizer such as cyanuric acid will prevent the sun from burning through your free chlorine. Pool Maxx is perfect at protecting your chlorine from UV rays to ensure that your pool stays sanitized longer, even with lots of bright sunlight.
- Clean Your Pool Regularly: Skim debris and clean your pool regularly to decrease the amount of organic material that consumes chlorine. Use Pool Maxx Pool Cleaner to remove leaves, dirt, and algae before they cause larger problems.
- Monitor Chlorine Levels Regularly: The most effective method for maintaining chlorine balance is regular testing of your pool's chlorine levels. Digital test kits or Pool Maxx Test Strips can be used to check free chlorine so that changes can be made before the levels begin to drop too low.
- Algaecide Treatment: If you suspect algae might be dominating your pool, algaecide treatment should be used. Clear Maxx is formulated to work in conjunction with chlorine to speed the kill of algae as well as strengthening your sanitizer.
Protective Measures in the Maintenance of Free Chlorine
- Testing: It is recommended that you have a chlorine test done every other week, especially during times of intense heat or periods of heavy use in the pool.
- Skimming: Skim off whatever may be stuck on the filter, as well as debris floating on the surface.
- Chemical Levels: Ensure balanced levels of all chemicals, not just chlorine, for a clean environment in the pool.
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