Best Way to Add Chemicals to a Pool

Many homeowners will choose to monitor and adjust their pool chemicals personally. This is a great practice that can save money when compared to hiring a service person and allows for more frequent checks / adjustments to the water chemistry. When starting out, a homeowner may not have the same experience in adding chemicals to the pool that a professional might, and so below are some recommendations to help avoid some common mistakes. If you take nothing else away, remember the motto: Calculate, Dissolve, Circulate. Before handling any chemicals, ensure you are wearing the correct personal protective equipment (PPE). It is highly recommended that safety glasses and protective gloves are always worn when working with chemicals. If handling powders, you should also consider wearing a dust mask or respirator.

Calculate

Determine how much of a chemical must be added to go from the current concentration to a desired concentration. The simplest way of doing so is by using an app on a smartphone, tablet, or computer, such as Orenda’s ‘Pool Calculator and Education’ app, or BioLab’s ‘Pool Time ClearPool Expert’ app.

Dissolve

Collect some pool water in a bucket, and into this water add the quantity of the chemical required. This can be done for both solid and liquid chemicals. Using a stir stick, mix the chemical into the water until the mixture appears consistent throughout. Add the contents of the bucket to the pool by pouring toward the middle of the pool, and not down the pool wall. Circulate the water for 10 – 15 minutes before adding additional chemicals.

NOTE: Multiple chemicals should NEVER be mixed in the same bucket at the same time. Dissolve them one at a time when making multiple additions.

Circulate

Ensure that the pump and circulation system of the pool is running while chemicals are being added, and that it continues to circulate for some time – at least a few hours – after all chemical additions have been made. Circulating the pool after chemical additions is especially important prior to extended periods of time when the circulation will be turned off, such as going on vacation, or before closing for the season.

Poolside by CGT does not make recommendations about which specific chemicals or brands of chemicals to use in a pool. For these types of recommendations, contact your pool dealer.

Following proper pool chemical safety procedures protects swimmers and pool liners.