How Much Shock Should I Add to My Pool Each Week?

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In addition to standard pool maintenance tasks such as vacuuming the pool and testing chemical levels, adding shock on a regular basis is an essential way to keep the water clean and healthy for swimming. Sometimes referred to as superchlorination, shock uses chlorine and other chemicals to eliminate algae, bacteria, and chloramines, which come from contaminants like rain, dirt, and bodily fluids.

While most pool owners understand the importance of shocking their pools, it’s common to wonder how often it should be performed and how much shock they should use. At Aqua Pool & Patio, we recommend shocking your pool every other week, or once a week during times of extreme heat, heavy rain, or when the pool is getting used frequently by a large number of people. If you have an ozone system, you can apply shock less often.

When shocking your pool, the goal is to raise the chlorine level to 30 ppm (parts per million). The amount of shock that you’ll need in order to do this depends on the volume of water in the pool, which can be determined by multiplying the pool’s length x width x average depth x 7.5. Once you know the volume, check your package of shock for a guide indicating the quantity to be used. If your pool’s volume is in between two of the amounts listed, it’s best to round up to ensure that you use an adequate amount of chemical.

There are several other important steps to follow when shocking your pool. For example, we recommend doing it after sunset to avoid having UV rays burn off the chlorine and to give the shock time to circulate overnight. You’ll also need to test the water before adding the shock, paying particular attention to make sure pH is between 7.2 and 7.6—if it is higher than that, the shock will not work as effectively. It’s also important to wear safety goggles and rubber gloves to reduce the risk of harming your eyes or skin.

If you have any questions about shocking your pool or would like assistance with routine maintenance, the Aqua Pool team is here to help! In addition to providing free water testing at our East Windsor location, we offer pool maintenance programs tailored to your needs. Visit https://www.aquapool.com/routine-pool-maintenance-ct/ or call us at (860) 623-9886 to learn more!