What does Shocking a pool do to pH?

Pool shock.

Shocking your pool is important, but if you're using cal-hypo (calcium hypochlorite), it can raise your pool's pH levels. Don't stop shocking your pool, but do test all your chemistry levels consistently, especially after shocking.

Does pH increase when shocking pool?

It will slightly raise your pH, so make sure you adjust pH while using it. As the name implies, it will also raise your calcium hardness levels in your pool slightly. It is sold in granular or in pucks/tablets. A close relative of calcium hypochlorite is sodium hypochlorite, commonly known as bleach.

Will pH go down after shocking pool?

The PH rise is temporary, and as the chlorine is used up the ph will drop back to normal. Disregard high PH readings. We recommend shocking with liquid chlorine - granular products add additional things that you may not want in your pool.

Does pool shock raise pH and alkalinity?

It's also not uncommon for pool owners to go a bit overboard when shocking their pool, and since chlorine-based pool shock is a high-alkaline substance, it will also naturally raise your pool alkalinity.

Does liquid shock raise pH?

Using Liquid shock or liquid bleach regularly will increase your pH so make sure you keep an eye on your pH and alkalinity levels.

What happens if pH is too low in pool?

Should I adjust pH before shocking pool?

Before you add shock treatment, you need to test your pool water and balance its levels. The pH level should be between 7.2 and 7.6, with total alkalinity being between 80 and 120 ppm. Pool water testing is easy to do using test strips or liquid test kits.

Do you balance pH before shocking pool?

Make sure your pH level is between 7.4 – 7.6 and your alkalinity level is between 100 and 150 parts per million (ppm). This will balance the pool water chemistry so the shock treatment is more effective.

Does Shocking a pool lower alkalinity?

Another cause for high alkalinity can be when you shock the pool. While this is performed to quickly rid the pool of pollutants, chlorine-based pool shock is highly alkaline, and can raise the water's total alkalinity level in the process.

Why is my pool pH always high?

The most common reason for a consistently high pH level in pools is the use of liquid chlorine or a saltwater system as the primary sanitizer. Sodium hydroxide is produced, which has a pH of around 13. New pool plaster or pebble finishes will also raise pH in pools for about a year after installation.

What makes pool pH rise?

Adding strong liquid chlorine, calcium or lithium hypochlorite chlorine may raise it. Suddenly heating the water, whether from a pool heater or a string of sunny days, could up the pH. Saltwater pools tend to be alkaline. Adding water from the hose may raise it, depending on the content of your tap water.

Do I adjust alkalinity or pH first?

Check Total Alkalinity (TA) first, then adjust for proper pH range. Proper TA will buffer pH, that is, it will help to prevent pH fluctuations. Use fresh, high quality test strips. Excessively high bromine or chlorine levels can result in false pH and TA readings.

Can I add shock and pH at the same time?

What is this? Add them one at a time waiting 10-30 mins between different chemicals (except for pool shock or cal-hypo – wait 24 hours). Granular chlorine, pH and alkalinity adjusting chemicals can be dissolved first in a bucket of water. But not at the same time of course.

What happens if you put too much shock in a pool?

Although, if you overdo the shock treatment, you risk getting green hair from chlorine due to the excess chlorine oxidizing the copper in the water. You can execute a shock treatment with a few different types of pool shock, just be mindful of how much you're using.

Does adding chlorine raise pH?

Using liquid chlorine raises the pH of the water.

Liquid chlorine does not raise pH. When added to water, liquid chlorine (which has a pH of 13) makes HOCl (hypochlorous acid – the killing form of chlorine) and NaOH (sodium hydroxide), which raises pH.

Do you run filter when shocking pool?

Run the filtration system

While shocking your pool will help kill any germs any algae, it won't actually get rid of them; for that, you need your filter. So be sure to run your pool filter for at least 24 hours.

How long does pool shock take to work?

Always run the pump when shocking the pool and allow it to circulate for 24 hours. The water should then be a blue or cloudy blue color. Test the water 24 hours after shocking and start adjusting pH and alkalinity levels. The chlorine will still be elevated, but over a few days, it should stabilize.

Should I shock my pool every week?

How Often Should I Shock My Pool? Shocking your pool regularly will help to keep the water clean and free of contaminants. You should aim to shock your pool about once a week, with the additional shock after heavy use. Some tell-tale signs that your pool needs to be shocked are cloudy, foamy, green, or odourous water.

Does raising pH raise alkalinity?

Raising PH Level

PH Plus will increase your Alkalinity level slightly too so keep an eye on this as remember Total Alkalinity is the buffer to allow your PH to be set.

Why did my pool get cloudy after I shocked it?

High doses of chlorine, like pool shock, can cause temporary cloudiness as it kills contaminants. High levels of pH, alkalinity, and calcium hardness are more likely to cause cloudy water.

Is alkalinity the same as pH?

In simple terms, pH is the concentration of acid protons [H+]. On the other hand, the alkalinity of a solution is its ability to neutralize acids. Alkalinity consists of ions that incorporate acid protons into their molecules so that they are not available as a free acid that can lower the pH.

How does high chlorine affect pH?

High chlorine levels decrease the pH of your pool's water, making it more acidic. The more acidic the water, the higher the likelihood of corrosion. This corrosion can affect metal piping, equipment, and the surface of your pool (tiles, liners, concrete, etc.).

What chemicals should I balance first in my pool?

Total Alkalinity (TA) is the first thing you should balance in your pool water. TA refers to the amount of alkaline material in the water. And since alkaline is a pH stabilizer, the number of alkaline substances in water will affect the pH balance. The ideal Total Alkalinity range for pool water is 80 – 120 ppm.

How do I balance the pH level in my pool?

Why does my pool alkalinity keep dropping?

When the water evaporates in the pool, it is not only pure water (the H₂O molecule) that is released, but also dissolved CO₂. This is what is called the water degassing phenomenon. The removal of this dissolved CO₂ from the water will have a direct impact on the total alkalinity, and will cause its value to fall.