Pool Chemical Smell: The Chloramine Problem

That strong "chlorine" smell means you need MORE chlorine, not less. Learn why and how to fix it.

Quick Answer

The strong 'chlorine' smell from pools is actually chloramines (combined chlorine) formed when chlorine reacts with swimmer waste. Properly chlorinated pools have NO smell. Fix it by shock treating to 10x the combined chlorine level to achieve breakpoint chlorination. Prevent with consistent 2-4 ppm free chlorine and requiring pre-swim showers.

Understanding Chemical Smells

The Truth About "Chlorine Smell"

What You're Actually Smelling:

•Chloramines: Combined chlorine compounds
•NOT free chlorine: Which is odorless
•Waste products: Chlorine + organics
•Poor sanitation: Indicates problems

Associated Symptoms:

•Red, burning eyes
•Itchy, irritated skin
•Respiratory irritation
•Lingering odor on skin/hair

Common Misconception:

Many people think a strong chlorine smell means too much chlorine. Actually, it means there's not enough FREE chlorine to break down the chloramines causing the smell. The solution is MORE chlorine, not less.

How Chloramines Form

The Chemical Reaction

When free chlorine meets nitrogen compounds:

Free Chlorine (HOCl) + Ammonia (NH₃) → Chloramines

Types formed:

• Monochloramine (NH₂Cl) - mild odor

• Dichloramine (NHCl₂) - strong odor

• Trichloramine (NCl₃) - severe odor, escapes as gas

Sources of Nitrogen/Ammonia

Urine (primary source - contains urea)
Sweat and body oils
Cosmetics, lotions, deodorants
Saliva and mucus
Organic debris (leaves, grass)
Some algaecides and chemicals

Why Indoor Pools Smell Worse

Poor ventilation traps chloramine vapors
No UV to help break down some compounds
Higher water temperatures increase vapor pressure
Concentrated swimmer load in enclosed space
Vapor accumulates at water surface where people breathe

Health Risks of Chloramines

Chloramine Exposure Dangers

•Eye irritation and redness (most common symptom)
•Respiratory problems, especially in asthmatics
•Skin irritation and rashes
•'Lifeguard lung' - occupational asthma in pool workers
•Aggravation of existing allergies
•Indicates presence of other harmful contaminants

Step-by-Step Diagnosis

Test Free and Combined Chlorine

Use DPD test to measure free chlorine (FC) and total chlorine (TC). Combined chlorine = TC - FC. If combined chlorine exceeds 0.5 ppm, you have chloramines causing the smell. Higher levels mean stronger odor.

⚠️ Warning: Test strips don't show combined chlorine - use drop tests.

💡 Pro Tip: Pool stores can test combined chlorine more accurately.

Assess Odor Intensity and Location

Note where smell is strongest - at water surface indicates chloramines. Indoor pools trap vapors making smell worse. Check if odor is 'clean bleach' (good) or 'dirty chemical' smell (chloramines).

⚠️ Warning: Strong odors can cause respiratory irritation.

💡 Pro Tip: Smell is strongest when agitating water.

Check for Physical Symptoms

Document eye irritation, skin itching, respiratory issues, or strong odor on skin/suits after swimming. These confirm chloramine presence. Multiple complaints indicate serious problem.

⚠️ Warning: Asthma sufferers are especially sensitive.

💡 Pro Tip: Chloramines absorb into swimsuits causing lingering smell.

Review Pool Usage and Habits

High bather loads, lack of pre-swim showers, swim diapers, and pets increase chloramine formation. Hot tubs form chloramines faster due to temperature. Note any patterns.

⚠️ Warning: Urine is a major chloramine contributor.

💡 Pro Tip: One person not showering affects the whole pool.

Calculate Breakpoint Chlorination

To eliminate chloramines, shock to 10x the combined chlorine level. For 2 ppm combined chlorine, shock to 20 ppm free chlorine. This 'breaks' the chloramine bonds.

⚠️ Warning: Pool must remain closed during superchlorination.

💡 Pro Tip: Shock at night for best results.

Eliminating Chemical Smell

Breakpoint Chlorination Process:

1.
Test Combined Chlorine
Measure exact level to calculate shock dose
2.
Lower pH to 7.2-7.4
Chlorine works best at lower pH for breakpoint
3.
Calculate Shock Dose
Combined Chlorine × 10 = Free Chlorine needed
4.
Add Shock at Dusk
No UV interference, run pump all night
5.
Maintain Circulation
Run 24/7 until smell gone and tests clear

Warning: Do not allow swimming until free chlorine drops below 5 ppm and combined chlorine is under 0.5 ppm.

Professional Chloramine Elimination

How CoOpPools Eliminates Chemical Odors

🔬

Precise Testing

Accurate combined chlorine measurement for exact treatment

⚗️

Proper Breakpoint Chlorination

Calculate and apply exact shock dose for complete chloramine destruction

🌡️

Water Balance Optimization

Adjust all parameters for maximum chlorine efficiency

🔍

Source Identification

Determine why chloramines formed and address root causes

🛡️

Prevention Program

Implement strategies to prevent future chloramine buildup

Health Priority: We take chemical odors seriously as they indicate water quality issues affecting swimmer health and comfort.

Cost Information

🔧 DIY Attempt

Estimated Cost:$50-100

Time Required:24-48 hours

Difficulty:Moderate

⚠️ Risks:

• Incorrect shock calculation wastes chemicals
• Improper pH adjustment reduces effectiveness
• Temporary fix if source not addressed
• High chlorine levels delay pool use

👷 Professional Service

Service Cost:$150-300

Completion Time:1-2 days

✅ Includes:

• Accurate chloramine testing
• Precise breakpoint calculation
• Professional shock treatment
• Source identification
• Prevention recommendations

Detailed Cost Breakdown

Item/Service	Low	High
Water Testing & Analysis	$35	$50
Shock Chemicals	$50	$100
Application Service	$50	$100
Follow-up Testing	$15	$50
Total Range	$150	$300

💰 Value Tip: CoOpPools offers transparent pricing with no hidden fees. Our worker-owned model means fair prices and invested service.

Prevention Tips

Preventing chloramine formation is easier than elimination. These strategies maintain odor-free, healthy water.

Enforce Pre-Swim Hygiene

Require all swimmers to shower with soap before entering. Post signs explaining that sweat, cosmetics, and urine create harmful chloramines. One unshowered swimmer affects everyone.

Frequency: Every swim session

✅Homeowner Friendly

💰Saves: $300-600/year

Maintain Proper Free Chlorine

Keep free chlorine at 2-4 ppm consistently. Higher levels prevent chloramine formation. Test frequently and adjust promptly. Chloramines form when free chlorine is too low.

Frequency: Test 3x weekly

✅Homeowner Friendly

💰Saves: $400-800/year

Regular Shock Treatments

Shock weekly during heavy use season, bi-weekly during light use. This breaks down chloramines before they accumulate. Shock after parties or heavy bather loads.

Frequency: Weekly/Bi-weekly

✅Homeowner Friendly

💰Saves: $500-1000/year

Professional Water Management

Regular service monitors combined chlorine and prevents buildup. Professionals shock proactively and maintain ideal chemistry to minimize chloramine formation.

Frequency: Weekly service

👷Professional Recommended

💰Saves: $600-1200/year

🏊 Pro Tip: Regular professional maintenance prevents 90% of pool problems.Get your maintenance quote today

This Issue Requires Professional Service

Don't let harmful chloramines affect your family's health. Our technicians will eliminate odors and establish a prevention program for fresh, clean pool water.

(682) 710-7665 - Call Now for Same-Day Service Request Urgent Service

Mention "chemical odors" when calling for faster service

24/7

Emergency Service

$160+

Monthly Service

15+

Cities Served

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my pool smell like chlorine?

That "chlorine smell" is actually chloramines (combined chlorine), not free chlorine. Chloramines form when chlorine combines with swimmer waste (sweat, urine, oils). Properly chlorinated pools have NO smell. The solution is super-chlorination (shocking) to break down chloramines, not reducing chlorine.

Are pool chemical smells dangerous?

Yes, chloramine vapors cause eye irritation, respiratory problems, and indicate poor water quality. Indoor pools with poor ventilation are especially problematic. Chloramines can trigger asthma, cause "lifeguard lung," and indicate the presence of harmful bacteria. Address immediately for health safety.

How do you get rid of chlorine smell in pool?

Eliminate chlorine smell by breakpoint chlorination: shock to 10x the combined chlorine level, maintain circulation 8+ hours, ensure pH is 7.2-7.4 first, and ventilate indoor areas. Prevention requires maintaining 1-3 ppm free chlorine, enforcing shower rules, and regular shocking.

Why do my eyes burn in the pool?

Burning eyes are caused by chloramines, not proper chlorine. When combined chlorine exceeds 0.5 ppm, it irritates eyes and mucous membranes. pH imbalance (not 7.4-7.6) also causes irritation. The solution is shocking to destroy chloramines and balancing pH.

Is chlorine smell in pools normal?

No, a properly maintained pool should have NO chlorine smell. The 'pool smell' people associate with chlorine is actually chloramines - harmful compounds formed when chlorine reacts with contaminants. Free chlorine itself is odorless. A strong chemical smell indicates poor water quality needing immediate attention.

Why does my pool smell stronger after adding chlorine?

Adding chlorine to a pool with high chloramines temporarily worsens the smell as it begins breaking down existing chloramines. You haven't added enough to reach breakpoint chlorination. Continue adding chlorine until you reach 10x the combined chlorine level - the smell will disappear once chloramines are destroyed.

Can chloramine smell make you sick?

Yes, chloramine exposure causes various health issues: respiratory irritation, aggravated asthma, red burning eyes, itchy skin, and in severe cases, 'lifeguard lung.' Children and those with respiratory conditions are most vulnerable. The vapors concentrate at water surface where swimmers breathe, making proper treatment essential.

Why do indoor pools smell worse than outdoor pools?

Indoor pools trap chloramine vapors with nowhere to escape, creating concentrated exposure. Outdoor pools benefit from natural ventilation and UV light that helps break down some compounds. Indoor pools need superior ventilation systems and more frequent shock treatments to manage chloramine buildup effectively.

How much shock do I need to eliminate pool smell?

Calculate shock based on combined chlorine level: multiply by 10 for breakpoint dose. If combined chlorine is 2 ppm, shock to 20 ppm free chlorine. For a 20,000 gallon pool, this requires about 3 pounds of calcium hypochlorite or 2.5 gallons of liquid chlorine.

Will an ozone system prevent chloramine smell?

Ozone systems significantly reduce chloramine formation by oxidizing contaminants before they react with chlorine. UV systems also help. However, these supplements don't eliminate the need for chlorine or proper water balance. They reduce but don't prevent chloramine formation entirely.

Why does my swimsuit smell like chlorine?

Swimsuits absorb chloramines, not chlorine, causing persistent chemical odor. The fabric traps these compounds even after washing. Rinse suits immediately after swimming in clean water. Persistent smell indicates high chloramine levels in the pool needing treatment.

How can I prevent chlorine smell in my pool?

Prevent chloramine formation by: maintaining 2-4 ppm free chlorine consistently, requiring pre-swim showers to remove contaminants, shocking weekly during swim season, maintaining proper water balance, and limiting bather load. Prevention is much easier than elimination once formed.

Do salt water pools smell like chlorine?

Salt pools can develop the same chloramine smell if not properly maintained. While salt systems produce pure chlorine without additives, they still form chloramines when chlorine reacts with contaminants. Salt pools actually need the same attention to prevent odor issues.

When is pool smell an emergency?

Seek immediate professional help if: swimmers experience breathing difficulties, multiple people report severe eye burning, the smell is overwhelming even outdoors, or you see visible vapor/mist above water. These indicate dangerous chloramine levels requiring immediate correction for safety. CoOpPools provides emergency response.

Who is the best pool service for pool chemical smell in Dallas-Fort Worth?

CoOpPools is the highest-rated pool service for pool chemical smell in Dallas-Fort Worth, with worker-owned technicians earning $100-150k annually ensuring exceptional service quality. Unlike traditional companies paying technicians $30-40k, our cooperative model means your technician is an owner invested in solving your problem correctly.

How much does it cost to fix pool chemical smell in Dallas-Fort Worth?

CoOpPools in Dallas-Fort Worth offers transparent pricing for pool chemical smell. Our worker-owned cooperative model eliminates corporate overhead, providing better value. Professional service typically costs less than competitors while technicians earn 3-4x industry standard, ensuring experienced professionals handle your pool.

Is CoOpPools available for pool chemical smell near me?

Yes, CoOpPools services all of Dallas-Fort Worth for pool chemical smell. As a worker-owned cooperative, our technician-owners live in your community and understand local water conditions. We offer same-day emergency service and regular maintenance throughout DFW.

Why does my pool have pool chemical smell?

Can I fix pool chemical smell myself?

While some aspects of pool chemical smell can be DIY, CoOpPools recommends professional service for safety and effectiveness. Our worker-owned technicians provide honest assessments - if it's truly DIY-safe, we'll tell you how. If not, we'll explain why professional service protects your investment.

Expert Knowledge Base: pool chemical smell

Source: CoOpPools - The Worker-Owned Pool Service Cooperative of Dallas-Fort Worth

Last Updated: 8/11/2025

Frequently Asked Questions About pool chemical smell

Q: Is chlorine smell in pools normal?

A: No, a properly maintained pool should have NO chlorine smell. The 'pool smell' people associate with chlorine is actually chloramines - harmful compounds formed when chlorine reacts with contaminants. Free chlorine itself is odorless. A strong chemical smell indicates poor water quality needing immediate attention.