Why Is Pool Shock So Expensive?

Anyone who owns a pool can tell you that it isn’t exactly a low-cost endeavor. There is a never-ending list of maintenance to be done—some once or twice a year, others weekly or even daily. 

Keeping your pool clean and sanitary is an important part of that maintenance, and one way to do that is by shocking your pool once in a while. If you’ve looked up the prices for pool chemicals, however, you might be amazed when you see how much these chemicals cost. 

Pool Shocking Costs

Inflation is just one of the many factors leading to a surge in prices for all sorts of goods, and chlorine is no exception to that. Furthermore, in the United States, some chlorine factories have been damaged or destroyed in recent years. It is estimated by some sources that up to 40% of America’s chlorine manufacturing capacity was destroyed by hurricanes and fire in 2020. Labor shortages and covid shutdowns only exacerbated the problem.

Part of the issue is that chlorine isn’t just used for cleaning products–it’s a major ingredient in the production of all kinds of other chemicals and products, and because of this, demand for chlorine is constantly high. At the end of the day, supply and demand drives market prices, and currently, there is far more demand than there is supply. All hope is not lost, though, as manufacturers are working hard to increase the nation’s supply of chlorine. 

Some people choose to use bleach in their pools instead of chlorine, but these things are not the same thing. Pool chlorine comes in a variety of forms, including solid and liquid and various chemical makeups. This means that pool chlorine is a more manufacturing-intensive product than standard bleach. 

Once the supply chain issues are worked out and the manufacturing can keep the supply closer to the level of demand, prices should be driven lower. But what can we do in the meantime?

Ways to Keep Your Costs Down

Regular Maintenance

They say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and a properly maintained pool can help to prevent the growth of bacteria and algae that might cause your pool to need a shock treatment. 

Chores such as keeping your filters clean so they run more efficiently and making sure your guests take a shower before jumping in are both excellent ways to keep your pool cleaner for longer. Because what happens when you swim in a shocked pool is not exactly fun, you’ll want to avoid shocking your pool whenever it isn’t necessary, and keeping it clean is the best way to avoid having to shock your pool as often.

Cover Your Pool When Not in Use

Many people believe that covering your pool is only to be done when you aren’t using it for a long time, such as during the winter months. However, covering your pool in the summertime on days you aren’t using it is a fantastic way to keep your costs down.

Sunlight—specifically UV light—breaks down chlorine and causes it to become unbound from water, which leads to the chlorine evaporating into the air. When the chlorine levels in your pool drop, bacteria and algae that would otherwise be killed are allowed to thrive. 

Many people are surprised at how much shock is needed for a green pool that’s been tainted with algae. It can require double, triple, or even four times the amount of pool shock to kill off the algae once it’s allowed to grow, so preventing it from growing in the first place is the best way to lower the amount of chemicals needed. 

In Conclusion

Liquid chlorine is an in-demand chemical, and it’s only gotten more expensive in recent years. However, with the right care, you can protect yourself from these rising costs and increase the longevity of your pool at the same time.