Pool owners find themselves asking this question. Do swimming pool chemicals last? And if they do, then how long do they last?
Swimming pool chemicals last for as long as 3 to 5 years. Such that, even if you have some put away in the store, they can still be reused within 5 years.
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Do Pool Chemicals Expire?
Some pool chemicals come with a long shelf-life while others come with a shorter shelf-life. At most, pool chemicals may spend up to 5 years, and then it gets too old to be reused. But there are exceptions.
And this is when the pool chemicals are not well stored or preserved. Other times, some pool chemicals don’t just last more than 12 months.
After that, the chemical either evaporates or becomes less effective for use.
What Chemicals Are Needed For Pool Maintenance?
Chlorine
Chlorine is the most wanted and the most used chemical when it comes to pool maintenance. It helps to sanitize a pool. In other words, it helps to keep your pool clean, crystal clear, and completely safe for anyone to swim in under any condition.
However, chlorine comes in two forms. It comes in liquid, or in a tablet form.
Does chlorine chemical last long? Unstabilized liquid chlorine doesn’t last up to 3 years. Although it all depends on storage. However, this kind of chlorine loses 90% of its potency at 12 months.
That means, it should be used within 3 to 6 months if it is unstabilized liquid chlorine. But if it is a chlorine tablet or granules, it can last for up to 5 years. It all depends on how well it is stored.
Oxidizers
It is also called potassium monopersulfate. This option is usually used by pool owners who have decided to consider oxidizers as a second option. Non-chlorine oxidizers are usually merged with chlorine to keep their pools clean. However, the oxidizers can be destroyed by excess sunlight.
This means that the UV rays can destroy the oxidizers in the pool. So if you have an indoor pool, and you are using an oxidizer, then you can be assured that your oxidizers would last.
One glamorous thing about the presence of oxidizers in your pool is that it kills the contaminants in your pool, and helps the chlorine to do its job. So you can swim safely!
Bromine
This chemical although isn’t common to most pool owners, but it is much more stable to use than chlorine chemicals. If you have an indoor pool, you can consider using Bromine to stabilize your pool.
However, if you have an outdoor pool, then Bromine chemical may certainly not be the right option because it doesn’t last long when exposed to UV light. As long as the bromine chemical stays dry in an airtight plastic container, kept in the shed and away from UV sunlight, then it can last for about a year.
Cyanuric Acid
Cyanuric acid is a perfect pool stabilizer. If you want to ditch chlorine because chlorine doesn’t last too long when exposed to UV sunlight, then you will need Cyanuric acid. When it is added with chlorine in your pool, it helps to stabilize the chlorine and make it more effective in the pool.
However, you need to check the chlorine chemical you are using because some chlorine tablets contain cyanuric acid. If you have an outdoor pool, then this is the perfect chemical to use together with a balanced amount of chlorine.
It will help to protect chlorine from UV sunlight. It can also last up to 3-5 years that is if it is stored well.
Algaecides
This is one pool chemical that you can’t ignore. Algae grow in pools. And for you to prevent that, you need to get an algaecide. This algaecide will be added to your pool after it has been shocked with chlorine and other chemicals. Then the algaecide will be added.
It will help prevent the growth of algae in your pool. Algaecides should be properly stored and kept away from sunlight. However, it can last for up to 3-5 years when it is properly stored.
pH Increaser/Decreaser
Swimming pools generally need to have a balanced pH level. If you want your pool chemicals to work, then you will need a balanced pH pool. If you want to increase the pH level of your pool, you can add soda ash together and put it in your pool.
Having a lot of algae or too many pool chemicals can destabilize the pool’s pH. If they are well stored in Ziploc bags, then they can last up to 5 years.
Alkaline Adjusters
The work of alkaline adjusters is to stabilize your pool’s pH. When your pool’s alkalinity level is too high or low, then you need to balance the pool with alkaline adjusters.
Muriatic acid can be used to lower the pH of your pool water. although alkaline adjusters may not be used often, however, it needs to be present in your pool to address prospective problems that may emerge.
However, the alkalinity of your pool should be often checked to keep the pool water clean, and habitable to swim in. they can last up to 5 years when stored properly in an air-tight container, preferably kept outdoors where the temperature is minimal and balanced.
Can You Use Old Chlorine?
It all depends. If it is a chlorine tablet, which can last up to 5 years when stored well, then it can be reused. However, you cannot use old chlorine when it has been exposed and not well stored. It will become less effective.
Final Thoughts
Finally, shocking your pool with these pool chemicals should be done regularly, or at least once a week. This will help maintain the clean state of your pool. Also, consider the kind of chemical you are to use for your pools and balance them when it comes to measurement.
Do not use too much or too low chemicals in your pool. When they are all balanced, you will get a balanced pool.
