Building a vinyl liner pool in your backyard is no small investment. That is why it is imperative to take good care of your pool and ensure it is thoroughly maintained and cleaned.
A popular pool maintenance tool that you have probably heard of is pool shock. Pool shocking is often used during the process of opening up pools after the winter or when trying to remove algae.
It is important, however, to be well informed about the complexities of pool shock before you use it in your vinyl liner pool. At Prestige Pools of NC, we specialize in vinyl liner pools and are here to share how to properly shock a vinyl liner pool.
What Does Pool Shocking Mean?
Before we embark upon the process of pool shocking, let’s first take a moment to understand what pool shock actually is.
Pool shock is essentially a powerful pool cleaning agent. While it is primarily made up of chlorine, it differs from regular chlorine. It has a much higher amount of chlorine than regular filter tablets. Shock also dissolves instantly in pool water, while chlorine tablets may take some time.
The process of shocking refers to adding shock to the pool water to raise the chlorine levels. Pool shock raises the level of free chlorine in your pool in order to achieve the normal range once more. It does this by breaking up chloramine and other chlorine-binding contaminants in the water. The point at which it breaks up such contaminants is called the breakpoint chlorination.
When Should You Shock Your Vinyl Liner Pool?
When exactly does your pool require shocking? A vinyl liner pool will need shocking when its water condition is not optimal. It is particularly required when there is an algae buildup in your pool.
You may also need to shock your pool when you need to get rid of unwanted bacteria. It is often also recommended to shock a pool after heavy rain.
You should regularly be checking your pool’s chlorine and pH levels. If you smell chlorine in your backyard or suspect an abnormal pH level, this can be a sign it’s time to shock your vinyl liner pool
Process of Shocking a Vinyl Liner Pool
The ideal time to shock a vinyl liner pool is at dusk. The UV rays from the sun will burn off the unstabilized chlorine and allow the chemicals to work properly.
Follow these steps to properly shock a vinyl liner pool:
- Wear gloves to handle pool chemicals safely.
- Test the pool water to check the pH level. This will determine how much shock your pool requires.
- Once you’ve acquired the test measurements, calculate how much shock your pool needs. The packaging of the shocking chemical will normally indicate the healthy dosage that should be used.
- For your vinyl liner pool, dissolve the shock into a bucket of water to mix the granules effectively.
- Make a quick inspection to ensure the pool pump is working properly.
- Pour the mixture of shock and water around the edges of the vinyl liner pool.
- Allow the pump to run for at least 6 hours or more.
Can Shocking Damage Your Vinyl Liner?
You will need to be extra careful while shocking a vinyl liner pool in contrast to any other pool. High levels of shock can cause the vinyl liner to bleach. In order to safeguard your vinyl liner while shocking, you need to reduce the intensity of the shock.
Dissolve the shock in water and mix before adding it to the vinyl liner pool. This will lower the concentration of the shock and prevent it from bleaching the vinyl liner.
You should also try to reduce the frequency of shocking a vinyl liner pool as much as you can. If you aren’t facing any water issues, there is no need to unnecessarily shock your vinyl liner pool. Shock it once every 4-6 weeks.
When Can You Use Your Vinyl Liner Pool After Shocking?
Refrain from using your vinyl liner pool right after shocking. The pool shock’s packaging normally has instructions on the back that detail how long you should wait before using a pool after shocking. Different shocks work differently. Some shocks may say it’s safe to swim after 15 minutes while others may require a whole day.
As a general rule, it is best to wait a healthy amount of time before jumping into your vinyl liner pool again. You should ideally wait for the free chlorine levels in the pool to drop to 3 ppm or lower.
Contact Prestige Pools of NC to Learn More!
If you’re looking to build a pool in Clayton, Raleigh, Garner, Holly Springs, Fuquay-Varina, Wendell, Zebulon, or any surrounding areas, please call us at 919-586-8556 or fill out our online contact form for a free estimate.