Why is pool chlorine still so expensive?

According to experts, there is a chlorine shortage due to a swimming pool boom and a fire at a chemical plant in Louisiana. This shortage will make it more expensive to keep pools clean.

Why is pool chlorine so expensive now?

Demand for chlorine skyrocketed. Labor shortages and transportation struggles as a result of the pandemic impeded production even further, resulting in a true chlorine shortage. However, chlorine production took the biggest hit when a major chlorine plant caught fire back in 2020.

Why is pool chlorine so expensive 2022?

Pandemic-related supply issues have contributed to a chlorine shortage. Destruction of a chlorine manufacturing plant has had the greatest effect. Completion of the rebuilt plant in 2022/2023 should ease supply issues. Chlorine tablet alternatives include liquid chlorine, bleach, and bromine.

Why is pool chlorine in short supply?

Two major factors are leading to the shortage. High demand from a pandemic swimming pool boom and a major chemical plant fire in Louisiana that devastated production capacity.

Is chlorine more expensive this year?

Reports we've seen have noted a 40% rise in chlorine prices from last spring, and some industry analysts expect chlorine prices to be 60% higher during 2021's summer pool season than they were in 2020. This price spike doesn't fully capture the scale of the problem.

Pool owner? Here's how the national chlorine shortage will affect you

Why is chlorine so expensive 2021?

Last year, prices jumped because a fire destroyed the plant in Louisiana that was main supplier of chlorine tablets in the U.S. In late 2021, a smaller chlorine plant in New Jersey also caught fire and is out of commission.

Is chlorine still in short supply 2022?

Chlorine Shortage 2022: The Nation's Chlorine Supply Takes Yet Another Potential Hit. *Update: Fortunately, it does not appear that this factory fire has resulted in any major chlorine loss and will not contribute to the expected ongoing chlorine shortage in 2022.

Is there still chlorine shortage?

During the fire, around 40% of the entire nation's chlorine was destroyed, sending a shockwave through the pool industry and setting up supply issues going into 2021. Now, as the industry prepares for pool season 2022, this very important factory has yet to be completely rebuilt and is still not producing chlorine.

Is there a shortage of swimming pool chemicals?

One of the reasons for the chlorine shortage is an increase in demand. Construction of new pools in 2020 went up nearly 25 percent! With each new pool comes more demand for chemicals and even items like floaties or sun chairs.

What can I use instead of chlorine in my pool?

Why are pool chemicals so high?

According to experts, there is a chlorine shortage due to a swimming pool boom and a fire at a chemical plant in Louisiana. This shortage will make it more expensive to keep pools clean.

Is liquid chlorine better than tablets?

We dive in and find out. Liquid chlorine is preferred over chlorine tablets by pool professionals however home swimming pools will benefit too. Liquid chlorine quickly raises or maintains chlorine levels without raising stabilizer. Chlorine tablets maintain chlorine levels and add stabilizer to the pool water.

Is there a shortage of pool shock?

What started as a supply breakdown for chlorine tablets has now ballooned into an all-out chlorine scarcity. Because of this shortage, the price of Trichlor chlorine tablets has nearly doubled, and is only expected to rise throughout the summer as supplies continue to dwindle.

Are chlorine prices expected to go down?

The financial services company IHS Markit says chlorine prices are expected to spike 70 percent this summer, compared to 2020.

What has happened to the price of chlorine?

“For the past 20 years, a typical 50-pound bucket of chlorine would run anywhere from $75 to $85,” a Las Vegas pool operator recently told CNBC. “Within the last year, it's increased to $140, with the proposed price of $158 in the near future.”

Is pool shock the same as chlorine?

Shock is chlorine, in a high dose, meant to shock your pool and raise the chlorine level quickly. Chlorine tabs (placed in a chlorinator, floater, or skimmer basket) maintain a chlorine residual in the water. You do need to use both tabs and shock.

Why are 3 inch chlorine tablets so expensive?

The reason why trichlor tablets are so expensive and why they are sold out at many pool supply stores is because of the national trichlor supply shortage.

Why is pool shock out of stock?

The COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented demand for pool products. In addition, last summer's devastating hurricane in Louisiana damaged the plant in Lake Charles that produces many of the key ingredients used in pool and spa chlorine products for North America.

How do you make chlorine?

Chlorine can be manufactured by the electrolysis of a sodium chloride solution (brine), which is known as the Chloralkali process. The production of chlorine results in the co-products caustic soda (sodium hydroxide, NaOH) and hydrogen gas (H₂). These two products, as well as chlorine itself, are highly reactive.

How much was chlorine last year?

Chlorine prices spiking

"For the past 20 years, a typical 50-pound bucket of chlorine would run anywhere from $75 to $85. Within the last year, it's increased to $140, with the proposed price of $158 in the near future," Heer said. In some parts of the country, pool supply stores have imposed quantity restrictions.

Which is better bromine or chlorine?

Stability. While chlorine may work more quickly, bromine is more stable than chlorine, especially in warm water. Chlorine: Dissipates more quickly than bromine, and therefore needs to be replaced more often. Bromine: Kills bacteria in your spa for a longer period of time than chlorine.

Can I use chlorine granules instead of tablets?

Chlorine granules, meanwhile, are simply scattered over a pool. Their combination of a smaller consistency and lower concentration makes them much more suitable for this purpose than chlorine tablets, as they dissolve more easily. This, in turn, enables them to fight pool bacteria much more quickly as well.

Should you shock your 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.

Can I shock my pool with liquid chlorine?

Sodium hypochlorite (also known as liquid chlorine) is another frequently used option for shocking pool water. This is a common choice in pool shock because you can pour the solution directly into the pool without having to dissolve the chlorine in water beforehand.