Whether you’re a veteran or just a new pool master, SLAMing your pool can look a little daunting. Dealing with such a large amount of chemicals can make anyone to be nervous. With knowledge and practice, it becomes easier.
If you already know what pool shocking is and how to do it, the whole process will be easy. Let’s get to it!
What Is Pool SLAMing?
Pool SLAMing involves the process of Shocking, Levelling, and Maintaining pool chlorine level in the pool. If the chlorine used in shocking the pool is always more than the chlorine used for simply chlorinating the pool via a chlorinator, then we can say the chlorine involved when SLAMing the pool is even more than what’s involved when shocking the pool. So, how do you SLAM a pool with cloudy water?
In this article, you’ll learn how to shock the pool using the SLAM method and how to maintain the chlorine pool to ensure it doesn’t go below the required chlorine level. The process below shows the procedure to take, using the Trouble Free Pool SLAM chart.
How to SLAM a pool
Preparation
- Before you begin, you need to calculate the volume of your pool. If you don’t know how much water your pool holds, you can use a pool volume calculator such as the Clorox bleach pool calculator to find out.
- Bring down the pH level in the pool water to 7.2. The ideal level in a clean pool is usually between 7.4 to 7.6. So, you have to test and adjust your poop pH level to start. To lower your pool pH, you may need to use a pool level chart.
- Next, you’ll need to adjust the stabilizer (cyanuric acid) level in the pool. A CYA pool chart will be needed for this. The test helps determine the amount of free chlorine shock that will be needed; which is around 30 and 50 parts per million. A CYA pool chart will show you the required shock level for the pool.
Steps
1. Put on your protective clothing.
2. Do a quick round of pool water tests for free chlorine (FC) and total chlorine (TC) to determine how much combined chlorine (CC) is in your pool. This measurement will determine how much pool shock you need.
3. Carefully read the manufacturer’s instructions on your shock product. Most packages come with tables or steps to help you calculate how much shock you need.
4. If you need to dissolve the shock first, fill your bucket about 3/4 full with warm water. Otherwise, continue with step 6.
5. Put the shock in the bucket and stir slowly until the chemical is dissolved as much as possible. Work in one-pound increments. Proceed to step 7.
6. If you don’t need to resolve your shock, count how many containers of shock you need. Add one bag at a time until you reach your calculated stopping point.
7. Slowly pour the shock as you walk around your pool for more even distribution. (If your shock-water mixture has solid particles at the bottom, dip the bucket into your pool water, gently swirl to dissolve, and keep pouring).
8. Avoid using your pool immediately when you add the shock and always see the manufacturer’s recommendations. You don’t want to irritate your skin and eyes or fade your swimsuit.
9. After successfully shocking the pool the first time, the chlorine will start dissipating and you’ll need to maintain the pool chlorine, which takes us to the maintain phase of the SLAM process. This means the pool must not go out of the shock level. It must be shocked all the time. So, you should always test the chlorine level every day and top it up with chlorine.
Don’t Be SHOCKED, You Just SLAMed Your Pool!
Now you know why, when, and how to SLAM a pool. A bit of math might be included, but isn’t the occasional brain teaser good for your memory anyway? We’re pretty sure that’s true, but maybe we’ve forgotten.
Anyway, however you feel about the math, using pool shock regularly can save you more work in the long run. It’s one of the easiest ways to keep bacteria at bay, keep your water clear, and enjoy your time in the pool.