How To: Avoid High Chlorine When Using a Pool Blanket
Pool blankets are one of the easiest ways to save water, retain heat and keep leaves out, but one thing many owners don’t realise is that your chlorine levels can build up surprisingly quickly when the blanket is on.
Because the pool blanket blocks sunlight and reduces evaporation, chlorine isn’t burned off as usual meaning your usual chlorine input keeps building up. If you’re not adjusting your chlorinator, your pool water could become over-chlorinated which can damage your pool surfaces and equipment, irritate swimmers and shorten the lifespan of your cover. Many pool blanket manufacturers will even void your warranty if your chlorine levels are higher than the reccomended levels.
We see high chlorine levels from pool blanket use quite a lot and it’s totally understandable. You installed the cover to save water, reduce debris and retain heat and it works beautifully for those things. What you probably didn’t expect was having to keep a closer eye on your water chemistry as a result.
The Simple Solution
The good news is that preventing this issue is quite manageable once you understand why it happens. With a few simple adjustments to your regular pool routine, you can keep chlorine levels under control and avoid one of the biggest challenges that comes with using a pool blanket. To help make things easier, we’ve outlined a few practical steps you can follow to help prevent chlorine buildup:
- We reccomend reducing chlorine output by 50%–60% when the cover is in use.
- For periods when chlorine levels exceed 3ppm, remove the cover until chlorine levels fall back to under 3ppm.
- If the pool requires superchlorination, remove the cover first and keep the cover off the pool until free chlorine returns back to recommended levels.
- Running your pump regularly even if the pool is covered helps to circulate water and disperse heat and chlorine evenly which helps to prevent buildup and damaging of the surface, pool blanket and equipment.
- Keeping chlorine test strips at home like the ones below while using your pool blanket for extended periods of times means you can check if you need to wind your chlorinator down (or even up) inbetween tests
The Result
By managing chlorine levels carefully while your pool cover is in use, you can enjoy all the benefits a cover has to offer without experiencing some of the common downfalls. Your pool water stays perfectly balanced and safer for swimmers which means less skin and eye irritation and a more comfortable swimming experience for everyone. Additionally, your pool cover and equipment are better protected from chemical damage and premature wear which helps them last longer and maintain their quality. You’ll also save money over time because you won’t be wasting chlorine unnecessarily or dealing with the extra maintenance that comes from over-chlorinated water such as chlorine remover.
All of these benefits contribute to a pool that’s easier to care for, more enjoyable to swim in and far less stressful to maintain, allowing you to relax and make the most of your pool.
Need Some Extra Help?
If you’d like some guidance on managing your chlorine levels, come by our store with a water sample so our friendly team can help you find the ideal chlorinator settings for your pool. Simply let us know what your current chlorine output is and how many hours your pool pump is running for personalised advice.
Finding the right balance between your chlorinator settings and pool blanket habits may take a few visits and this is perfectly normal. Every pool is different and seasonal changes, weather, and pool usage can all affect chlorine levels. But don’t worry, we’ll be with you every step of the way adjusting, testing and guiding you “because everyone deserves to have a safe and healthy pool”.
