Does your pool have a strong chlorine smell? Do you think the chlorine smell is caused by chlorine disinfectants? Actually, it's caused by chloramines. Chloramines are formed by the reaction of chlorine with ammonia nitrogen compounds in swimming pools, releasing a pungent chlorine smell.
In the hot summer, diving into a cool swimming pool is undoubtedly the best thing to do. However, the presence of the chlorine smell not only affects the comfort of swimmers, but also may cause water quality problems. Why is there a strong chlorine smell in swimming pools? How can you deal with and prevent this problem? This article will help a lot.
Why Does Your Pool Smell Bad
As mentioned at the beginning, the chlorine smell in the pool is caused by chloramines. Chlorine disinfectants are excellent pool chemicals for swimming pools, which can effectively kill bacteria, viruses and algae in the pool. But swimming pools contain a lot of pollutants, that is, ammonia nitrogen compounds, from swimmers' feces, sweat, urine, etc. When there is not high free chlorine level in the pool, chlorine reacts with these contaminants to form new compounds, namely chloramines (a form of combined chlorine).
If your pool smells strongly of chlorine, the real issue might be a buildup of chloramines, not the pool chemicals themselves. When enough chloramines build up in the water, the pool emits a strong odor that can irritate swimmers' eyes and skin. The APSP recommends that the concentration of combined chlorine in swimming pools should be kept below 0.4ppm.
How to Fix the Chlorine Smell in a Pool
Chlorine Shock
To break down chloramines, you need to "shock" your pool using fast-acting pool chemicals like:
These two chlorine-based disinfectants are commonly used chlorine shock chemicals.
Chlorine shock is a treatment by adding enough available chlorine to completely oxidize all organic matter and ammonia nitrogen compounds in the pool. As a leading supplier of calcium hypochlorite granules and SDIC disinfectants in China, we can provide cost-effective products with high quality. For more details, you can refer to my previous article: How to Shock a Swimming Pool Properly?
Non-chlorine shock
You can also use non-chlorine pool chemicals like potassium peroxymonosulfate (MPS). This oxidizer eliminates chloramines without increasing chlorine levels and is especially useful in spas or indoor pools. Shock with MPS will reduce the pH and total alkalinity of the pool water, and if you want to stabilize the pH, you can add 4 ppm sodium carbonate after shock. 1 mg/L of combined chlorine can be eliminated per 10 mg/L MPS, and 10-15 mg/L MPS is generally sufficient.
How Often Should You Shock Using Pool Chemicals
In terms of the frequency of swimming pool shock, it mainly depends on the use of the pool and the water quality. Generally speaking, during peak use or when there is a significant deterioration in water quality, a pool shock is required to restore the water quality. But frequent shocks will not only increase operating costs, but may also cause damage to the pool structure and equipment. Therefore, it is recommended to make a reasonable shock plan according to the water quality monitoring data and the actual situation.
Preventing the Odor: Tips Beyond Pool Chemicals
While pool chemicals are essential, daily maintenance helps a lot too. There are some daily measures that can help prevent chlorine smell in a pool.
- Do Not let pets near the swimming pool;
- Do Not let the surface rain into the swimming pool;
- Timely pick up the fallen leaves on the water;
- Strengthen the health education for swimmers;
- Reduce organic matter into the pool;
- Keep the stable water quality balance, such as avoid too high or too low pH levels;
- Test the water quality index regularly.
FAQ: Pool Chemicals & Chlorine Odor
Overall, the chlorine smell in the swimming pool is unpleasant, but through scientific management and maintenance, you can completely control it within the acceptable range. As pool managers or users, you should always pay attention to safe water quality and take effective measures to reduce the generation and spread of chlorine smell. Only in this way can every swimmer enjoy the fun of swimming in a fresh and comfortable environment.
If you need pool disinfectants, whether in the form of tablets, granules or powders, welcome to contact us.
Not sure exactly what you should be looking for? Check out our pool care guide here.