Water chemistry
Breakpoint chlorination
Breakpoint chlorination means adding enough chlorine to destroy chloramines and reset the water.
Breakpoint chlorination is the proper way to clear a pool that smells strongly of chlorine. You raise free chlorine far above the combined chlorine level so the chloramines break down and leave as gas.
CDC advises raising free chlorine to 10 times the combined chlorine level, and it says to ventilate the swimming area. For example, 0.5 ppm of combined chlorine calls for about 5 ppm free chlorine. Do the work in the evening so sunlight does not burn it off. Retest the next day. This is the same idea as shocking the pool.
Related terms
Sources
Need a hand with your pool?
Call or text and tell us what your pool needs. Estimates are free for qualifying services, and same-day estimates are possible when the schedule allows.
