3. Why do I have to "shock" my pool water?

The addition of a "shock" product oxidizes (breaks down and destroys) chloramines. Chloramines are formed when nitrogen-containing organic undesirable compounds such as suntan oils, cosmetics, perspiration and others combine with the chlorine in your pool water. The resulting chloramines provide no sanitizing function and actually cause strong chlorine odor, cloudy water and eye irritation.

Chloramines, also known as combined chlorine, need to be broken down or destroyed (oxidized). Free available chlorine is the good form of chlorine that can kill bacteria and algae. So shocking your pool on a weekly basis, or after heavy rain and use, will ensure that a higher level of free available chlorine is available to properly sanitize your pool, keeping it protected from bacteria and algae. The correct level of free available chlorine is between 1.0 — 3.0 ppm (parts per million).

A shock treatment should be part of your regularly scheduled pool care program, recommended as a weekly application, and applied more frequently after heavy use or rain.

(For product information, go to Shock Treatments. )

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This analysis is designed for use only with the Pool Time® brand products named in this computerized water analysis printout, and is correct to the best of RWP, Inc.'s knowledge. RWP is not responsible for any use of this printout with products other than the Pool Time ® brand products named in this printout, and use of this printout with other products could result in improper or incorrect treatment of the pool water.