Too much chlorine in your swimming pool: what to do?

Pool maintenance is an important responsibility for any owner. And for good reason, a well-maintained pool not only guarantees crystal-clear water, but also a pleasant swimming environment for everyone.

For disinfect pool waterregion, the chlorine is commonly used; it prevents the proliferation of algae, bacteria, and other microorganisms and avoids the water does not turn greenHowever, an excess of chlorine can cause several problems in your pool.

What are they? What to do when theamount of chlorineis too high? Discover all our tips on the subject without further delay.

Why is your pool's chlorine level too high?

Several factors can explain an excess of chlorine in your pool. If you have recently performed ashock treatment, it is possible that the chlorine reaches levels above 10 ppm. This type of treatment is often used to clarifycloudy wateroreliminate algae. In this case, you will need to allow time for the treatment to take effect: the oxidation ofmicro-organismsand exposure to UV rays will gradually break down the chlorine, thus reducing its level in the water.

Another possible factor is an incorrect setting of yourchlorinator or salt chlorinator. If these devices are programmed to produce too much chlorine, or if an excessive amount of chlorine has been added manually, the level will inevitably rise.

Environmental conditions also affect thechlorine level. For example, lower temperatures, reduced sunlight, and fewer swimmers decrease the demand for chlorine. Under these conditions, it is necessaryto adjust the chlorine treatmentaccordingly, asthe pool waterdoes not require as much chlorine to stay clean. It is therefore essential to regularly check thechlorine levelsand adapt treatments based on current conditions to ensure optimal water quality.

Potential damage from too high chlorine levels

The use of ashock chlorine dosage per m³may be necessary to increase the chlorine level of your pool. However, anexcessive chlorine concentrationcan cause various problems if not quickly corrected.

For swimming pools and their equipment

An lower the pH of the water, making it more acidic. This acidity is corrosive to pool surfaces, such as the liner or polyester shell, which can reduce their lifespan. 

Metal and concrete equipment can also be damaged, leading to premature wear and costly repairs.

For bathers

Anexcess of chlorinecan irritate the eyes, skin, and respiratory tract. Furthermore, animbalance in pH, alkalinity, or water hardness can also cause irritation.

Maintaining an optimal balance of these parameters helps ensure the safety and comfort of swimmers.

For textiles

Like bleach, anexcess of chlorinecan discolor and damage swimsuits, towels, and other textiles exposed topool water, leading to their fading and premature aging.

In summary, too high a chlorine level can cause significant damage to the infrastructure of the treated pool, harm the health of bathers and affect the durability of textiles. It is therefore essential to measure the chlorine level regularly and adjust treatments to avoid these harmful effects.

How to lower chlorine in a swimming pool?

I put too much shock chlorine in my pool, and it caused several problems? To fix this, here are the steps to follow to lower the chlorine level :

1. Stop adding chlorine:

If your chlorine level is too high after ashock treatment, the first step is to immediately stop adding any more chlorine. Turn off the salt chlorinator and remove the chlorine tablets from the skimmers to prevent further increases.

2. Let the sun's UV rays act naturally:

Exposing pool water to the sun's UV rays is an effective method forreducing the chlorine level. UV rays quickly destroy chlorine molecules. In fact, a sunny day can reduce chlorine by up to 90% in just two hours. Leave the pool uncovered and ensure good water circulation with continuous filtration to maximize this effect.

3. Renew the pool water:

Another method is to partially drain the pool and refill it with fresh water. This dilutes thechlorine concentration, as well as pH and alkalinity levels. After replacing some of the water, it is recommended to perform tests to adjust the necessary chemical levels.

4. Apply a chlorine neutralizing product:

To have anideal chlorine level, you can usechemical neutralizerslike sodium thiosulfate. This product neutralizes chlorine and dilutes easily in water. It is important to follow the instructions to avoid excessive dechlorination, with recommended doses generally ranging from 1 to 2.5 g per m³ of water.

5. Use a stabilizer:

A goodstabilizer level, such ascyanuric acid, protects chlorine from the sun's UV rays. This helps maintain the effectiveness of the chlorine used to sanitize pool water.

6. Prevent future excess chlorine:

To avoid arapid rise in chlorine levels, use monitoring tools like electronic testers to regularly check thechlorine levels, pH, alkalinity, and water hardness. Automatic feeders, such as a salt chlorinator, allow for regular and controlled chlorine diffusion.Switching to a salt water pool can also provide more stable chlorine level management.

By following these steps, you canreduce the chlorine levelin your pool, thus ensuring a pleasant and safe swimming experience.