Many people seek advice on finding a swimming pool cleaning service to prevent their pool from turning green due to improper chemical use. “Pool shock” is a term used in the industry to describe various situations. There are different types of pool shock, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. I’ll explain the most common types and their pros and cons to help you keep your pool clean.
There Are Four Types of Pool Shocks
Liquid Chlorine
Liquid chlorine is effective for its quick action, but it has high acidity. This means that more muriatic acid is required to lower the pH level to the desired range, typically between 7.2 and 7.5.
Calcium Hypochlorite (Cal-Hypo)
Cal-Hypo is another type of shock you can use. It’s effective for killing algae, but it has one downside: it has a high pH level, so you’ll need to use muriatic acid to balance the pH. Cal-Hypo works more slowly and can raise the water hardness, especially in places like Henderson, Nevada. You might notice calcium buildup around the waterline or in spa spillovers.
Tri-Chlor
Tri-chlor is another type of shock commonly used in pools. It’s highly effective at killing algae, but it does have some drawbacks. Its pH is low, around 3, so you might need to raise the pH level. In my experience, most pools naturally become more acidic over time, which isn’t usually a problem. Tri-chlor doesn’t dissolve instantly, but it’s more soluble than Cal-Hypo.
Dichlor
Dichlor is another type of shock commonly used for pool maintenance. It’s important to know that its pH is 7 and it dissolves very quickly. This product is often recommended for pools with pebble tech or painted surfaces. While it may cost more than liquid chlorine or Cal Hypo, I find that not needing to add acid to lower pH makes it worth the extra money.
If you’d rather not worry about balancing chemicals and ensuring chlorine, pH, alkalinity, etc., are at the correct levels, feel free to reach out to Clear Tech Pools. You can call us or submit your information via the request form on this page.
This post was written by a professional at Clear Tech Pools. Clear Tech Pool is a team of expert Pool Builders in Clearwater FL. Our company was founded by local residents on the principles of hard work, exceptional customer service and a focused attitude. It is these qualities, along with our outstanding performance that keeps our customers satisfied. We have built, renovated and serviced thousands of pools in the area, and we have a long list of references available for all of our services upon request. Our staff of professional technicians have extensive training for fast and efficient service. We maintain our excellent reputation for quality by maintaining friendly relationships with our customers.
