High Combined Chlorine: Professional Chloramine Removal
Expert breakpoint chlorination and chloramine elimination services to restore proper water quality and eliminate odors in Dallas-Fort Worth pools.
Quick Answer
High combined chlorine (chloramines) requires breakpoint chlorination treatment. Add liquid chlorine until free chlorine exceeds combined chlorine by 10:1 ratio. This eliminates chloramines and restores effective sanitization.
Safety Warning
- •High combined chlorine creates ineffective sanitization despite chlorine presence
- •Strong chlorine odor indicates problem, not effective sanitization
- •Breakpoint chlorination requires large chlorine additions - follow safety protocols
- •Never swim during active breakpoint chlorination treatment
Combined Chlorine Assessment
Chlorine Testing Protocol
Test both free and total chlorine to calculate combined chlorine levels
⚠️ Warning: Combined chlorine above 0.5 ppm indicates chloramine formation requiring treatment
Odor and Irritation Assessment
Note strong chlorine smell and swimmer eye/skin irritation complaints
⚠️ Warning: Strong chlorine odor actually indicates inadequate free chlorine, not excess
Bather Load Evaluation
Assess recent pool usage patterns and organic contamination levels
⚠️ Warning: High bather loads create nitrogen compounds that form chloramines
pH Balance Check
Test pH levels as improper pH affects chloramine formation and treatment
⚠️ Warning: High pH prevents effective breakpoint chlorination treatment
Water Temperature Consideration
Factor in water temperature effects on chloramine persistence
⚠️ Warning: Warm water accelerates chloramine formation and makes treatment more difficult
Understanding Combined Chlorine
What is Combined Chlorine?
Combined chlorine (chloramines) forms when free chlorine reacts with nitrogen compounds from swimmers, creating ineffective, irritating compounds.
Free Chlorine:
- • Available for sanitization
- • Kills bacteria and algae
- • Little to no odor
- • Target: 1-3 ppm
Combined Chlorine:
- • Chloramines - ineffective
- • Strong chlorine odor
- • Causes eye/skin irritation
- • Target: <0.5 ppm
Total Chlorine:
- • Free + Combined chlorine
- • What test strips show
- • Can be misleading
- • Calculate: Total - Free = Combined
Signs of High Combined Chlorine
- • Strong Chlorine Odor: "Swimming pool smell"
- • Eye Irritation: Red, burning eyes after swimming
- • Skin Irritation: Dry, itchy skin reactions
- • Poor Water Quality: Despite apparent chlorine levels
- • Algae Growth: Despite testing positive for chlorine
Chloramine Formation Sources
- • Swimmer Waste: Urine, sweat, saliva
- • Personal Care Products: Deodorants, cosmetics
- • Organic Debris: Leaves, bugs, pollen
- • Fertilizer Runoff: Nitrogen from landscaping
- • Pet Contamination: Animals in or around pool
Breakpoint Chlorination Treatment
Breakpoint Chlorination Process
Breakpoint chlorination destroys chloramines by adding enough chlorine to oxidize all combined chlorine compounds.
Formula: Add liquid chlorine until free chlorine = 10 × combined chlorine level
Step-by-Step Treatment
- 1. Test Current Levels: Determine free and total chlorine levels
- 2. Calculate Combined Chlorine: Total chlorine - Free chlorine = Combined chlorine
- 3. Determine Breakpoint: Combined chlorine × 10 = Target free chlorine level
- 4. Add Liquid Chlorine: Add chlorine to reach breakpoint level
- 5. Circulate Water: Run filtration continuously during treatment
- 6. Monitor Progress: Test every 2-4 hours until breakpoint achieved
- 7. Allow Dissipation: Let chlorine levels return to normal before swimming
Treatment Example
Pool Readings:
- • Total Chlorine: 3.0 ppm
- • Free Chlorine: 1.0 ppm
- • Combined Chlorine: 2.0 ppm
Treatment Required:
Target free chlorine: 2.0 × 10 = 20 ppm
Add chlorine to raise free chlorine from 1.0 to 20.0 ppm
Alternative Treatment Methods
Non-Chlorine Shock
Potassium monopersulfate oxidizes chloramines without adding chlorine.
- • Reduces combined chlorine levels
- • Allows swimming in 15-30 minutes
- • Cost: $30-50 per treatment
- • Best for moderate chloramine levels
UV Sterilization
UV light breaks down chloramines as water passes through system.
- • Continuous chloramine destruction
- • Reduces chlorine demand
- • Initial cost: $2,000-5,000
- • Long-term prevention solution
Combined Chlorine Treatment Costs
🔧 DIY Attempt
⚠️ Risks:
- • Inadequate breakpoint chlorination allowing chloramines to persist
- • Over-chlorination causing equipment or surface damage
- • Swimmer safety issues from improper chemical handling
👷 Professional Service
✅ Includes:
- • Precise chloramine testing and breakpoint calculation
- • Professional breakpoint chlorination treatment
- • pH optimization for effective treatment
- • Continuous monitoring until completion
- • Prevention plan and maintenance recommendations
Detailed Cost Breakdown
| Item/Service | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Breakpoint Chlorination Chemicals | $75 | $200 |
| Non-Chlorine Shock Treatment | $50 | $100 |
| Professional Treatment Service | $200 | $400 |
| UV System Installation | $2500 | $5000 |
| Total Range | $2825 | $5700 |
💰 Value Tip: CoOpPools offers transparent pricing with no hidden fees. Our worker-owned model means fair prices and invested service.
Prevention Tips
Regular Shock Treatment
Weekly breakpoint chlorination to eliminate organic buildup and prevent chloramine formation
Proper pH Maintenance
Maintain pH at 7.2-7.6 for optimal chlorine effectiveness and reduced chloramine formation
Enhanced Oxidation
Use non-chlorine shock (potassium monopersulfate) to reduce chloramine levels without adding chlorine
🏊 Pro Tip: Regular professional maintenance prevents 90% of pool problems.Get your maintenance quote today
Related Pool Problems
Chlorine Lock
Often RelatedIneffective chlorine due to high CYA
Strong Chlorine Odor
Often RelatedChemical odors from chloramines
Eye and Skin Irritation
Often RelatedSwimmer irritation from chemical imbalances
💡 Did You Know? Pool problems often occur together.high-combined-chlorine can lead to or be caused by these related issues. Understanding the connections helps prevent future problems.
This Issue Requires Professional Service
Our worker-owned cooperative provides expert breakpoint chlorination and chloramine elimination services throughout Dallas-Fort Worth, restoring safe, comfortable swimming conditions and eliminating chemical odors.
Mention "high combined chlorine" when calling for faster service
Dallas Combined Chlorine Treatment
Chloramine removal, breakpoint chlorination, combined chlorine problems, chlorine odor elimination, pool chemical balance, non-chlorine shock, UV sterilization, Dallas pool service, Fort Worth pool maintenance.