That Strong Chlorine Smell Might be a Red Flag

Generally, when we are around a pool and we smell chlorine thick in the air, we don’t think anything of it. We think that pools use large amounts of chlorine to keep the water clean and free of germs and that the stronger chlorine smell is a sure sign that the water is in fact clean.  

A strong chlorine smell is actually an indicator that there is something off with the chemical balance and/or cleanliness of the pool. A pool should actually not carry a chlorine smell at all. This odor is actually not caused by chlorine, but by chloramines.  

A chloramine is formed with an over-abundance of ammonia containing things in the pool including perspiration, body oils, and urine from swimmers. These chloramines are formed when ammonia from bodily fluids reacts with hypochlorous acid in the water and reduces the amount of free available chlorine in the water. This reduces the effectiveness of chlorine to kill germs in the pool.  

How to Reduce Chloramines in the Pool 
The best way to keep the pool water from getting out of balance and taking in that chlorine smell is to shower before entering the pool. A quick rinse in the locker room, at the showers next to a pool, or in your bathroom at home will do wonders to reduce the amount of body oils that enter the pool. Additionally, if you have little ones in the pool have them use the restroom frequently. ​

How to Determine if a Pool is Truly Clean for Swimming 
 
The easiest way to do a quick test of the cleanliness of pool water without a testing strip is to use the “SENSE-ABLE” Swimming Check List.  
 

• Sight: Is the pool water a bright blue and clear enough to see to the bottom? You should be able to see the drain in the deepest part of the pool with no problem when you are standing on the pool deck. If you can’t don’t go swimming.  
• Touch: Take a quick feel of the pool wall just below the water line. If the wall feels at all slimy at the water line the water is dirty, do not go in. 

• Smell: If there is a strong chemical smell of any kind, the pool water is in need of treatment and you do not want to swim in it.  
• Listen: If you can hear the pool filter working that is a good sign.  

 
Treating a Pool with a Strong Chlorine Smell 
A pool with a strong chlorine smell is lacking in free available chlorines and therefore needs to be super-chlorinated or given a shock treatment. This is the practice of adding extra chlorine to the water to destroy the ammonia and other organic compounds causing the odor. If you need help doing this in your pool it is a good idea to call in a pool care professional. 
 
For pool maintenance in Lake Havasu City contact the team at My Everclear Pool.  

---