High Chlorine Pool Water
Strong chlorine odor, burning eyes, and bleached swimsuits
Quick Answer
High chlorine (above 5 ppm) causes burning eyes, strong odor, and skin irritation. STOP adding chlorine immediately. For levels 3-5 ppm, let sunlight break it down naturally (24-48 hours). For 5-10 ppm, partially drain and refill. For 10+ ppm, use sodium thiosulfate neutralizer or call professional service.
Understanding High Chlorine Problems
Symptoms of High Chlorine
- • Strong "pool smell": Actually chloramines, not pure chlorine
- • Burning eyes/nose: Immediate irritation upon contact
- • Skin irritation: Dryness, itching, or rash
- • Bleached swimwear: Colors fade quickly
- • Respiratory issues: Coughing or throat irritation
- • Hair damage: Dry, brittle, or green-tinted
Why It Happens
- • Over-shocking: Adding too much chlorine shock
- • Feeder malfunction: Automatic systems stuck "on"
- • Calculation errors: Wrong pool volume estimates
- • Double-dosing: Multiple people adding chemicals
- • New pool startup: Excessive initial sanitization
- • Service mistakes: Inexperienced pool cleaning
Local Pool Alert: The Southlake, Westlake, Grapevine area heat and intense UV actually help break down excess chlorine faster. However, high temperatures also increase skin absorption and irritation from over-chlorinated water.
Chlorine Safety Levels
| Chlorine Level | Status | Action Required |
|---|---|---|
| 1-3 ppm | ✅ Safe for swimming | Normal operation |
| 3-5 ppm | ⚠️ High but tolerable | Stop adding chlorine, use sunlight |
| 5-10 ppm | 🚫 Too high for swimming | Partial drain + sunlight |
| 10+ ppm | ☣️ Dangerous levels | Chemical neutralization needed |
High Chlorine Safety
- •Never swim with chlorine levels above 5 ppm
- •Chlorine gas can form in enclosed areas - ensure ventilation
- •Avoid mixing chlorine with other chemicals
- •Store neutralizers away from chlorine products
- •Flush skin/eyes immediately if irritation occurs
- •Children and pets are more sensitive to high chlorine
Chlorine Reduction Methods
Natural UV Breakdown (Recommended)
Best for: Chlorine levels 3-6 ppm. Safest method with no chemical additions.
How it works: UV rays break down chlorine naturally. Remove pool cover, run circulation, wait 24-48 hours in direct sunlight.
✅ Pros:
- • Completely natural process
- • No chemical additions needed
- • Works well in Texas sunshine
- • Free method
⏱️ Timeline:
- • Summer: 24-36 hours
- • Winter: 48-72 hours
- • Cloudy days: Slower process
- • Pool covers slow breakdown
Partial Water Replacement
Best for: Chlorine levels 5-10 ppm. Faster than natural breakdown.
Process: Drain 20-30% of pool water, refill with fresh water, test and repeat if needed.
📊 Calculations:
- • 25% replacement = ~25% chlorine reduction
- • Example: 8 ppm → 6 ppm with 25% drain
- • May need multiple cycles
- • Test between replacements
💰 Cost Factors:
- • Water costs ($50-100+ in the mid-cities west of DFW Airport)
- • Chemical rebalancing needed
- • Energy for heating replacement water
- • Time and labor involved
Sodium Thiosulfate Neutralization
Best for: Chlorine levels 10+ ppm or emergency reduction needed.
Professional recommended: Easy to overdose and create chlorine-free pool. Precise calculations required.
⚠️ Risks:
- • Easy to overdose completely
- • Can eliminate all chlorine
- • Requires immediate re-chlorination
- • Algae growth risk if overdone
📋 Dosage:
- • ~1 oz per 10,000 gal reduces 1 ppm
- • Start with half recommended dose
- • Wait 1 hour and retest
- • Add more gradually if needed
Step-by-Step: Safely Reducing High Chlorine
Test Current Chlorine Levels
Accurately measure total and free chlorine
⚠️ Warning: Chlorine above 5 ppm can cause skin and eye irritation
Identify the Source
Determine why chlorine levels are elevated
⚠️ Warning: Stop all chlorine sources immediately until levels normalize
Choose Reduction Method
Select appropriate method based on chlorine level
⚠️ Warning: Never swim in pools with chlorine above 5 ppm
Monitor and Adjust
Track chlorine reduction progress
⚠️ Warning: Don't let chlorine drop below 1 ppm - algae growth risk
High Chlorine Correction Costs
🔧 DIY Attempt
⚠️ Risks:
- • Over-neutralization creating algae-friendly environment
- • Incorrect chemical mixing
- • Wasted water and chemical costs
- • Delayed pool usage
👷 Professional Service
✅ Includes:
- • Accurate chlorine testing
- • Professional chemical calculations
- • Safe neutralization process
- • Water balance restoration
- • Follow-up testing and adjustments
- • Prevention recommendations
Detailed Cost Breakdown
| Item/Service | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Sodium thiosulfate neutralizer | $8 | $15 |
| Water replacement (if needed)Varies by amount | $0 | $100 |
| Chemical rebalancing | $10 | $25 |
| Total Range | $18 | $140 |
💰 Value Tip: CoOpPools offers transparent pricing with no hidden fees. Our worker-owned model means fair prices and invested service.
Preventing High Chlorine Problems
Chemical Management
- • Know your pool volume: Accurate calculations prevent overdosing
- • Read labels carefully: Different products have different strengths
- • Add chemicals gradually: Start with less, test, add more if needed
- • One person manages: Prevent double-dosing accidents
- • Keep chemical log: Track what was added when
- • Check feeders regularly: Ensure proper operation
Professional Service Benefits
- • Consistent testing: Prevents chemical swings
- • Professional equipment: Accurate measurements
- • Experience matters: Proper chemical balancing
- • Bulk chemicals: Professional-grade products
- • Equipment maintenance: Feeder calibration and repair
- • Seasonal adjustments: Varying chemical needs
When to Call a Professional
Immediate Professional Help:
- • Chlorine levels above 10 ppm
- • Recurring high chlorine problems
- • Equipment malfunction suspected
- • Chemical burns or severe irritation
- • Uncertainty about safe reduction methods
Professional Benefits:
- • Safe, precise chemical handling
- • Equipment diagnosis and repair
- • Comprehensive water balance
- • Prevention strategy development
- • Same-day problem resolution
Need Professional Help?
Our water chemistry experts safely and quickly reduce high chlorine levels while maintaining proper pool balance. We'll also identify and fix the root cause to prevent future over-chlorination.
Mention "high chlorine issues" when calling for faster service