The storage site should be cool, dry and well-ventilated, such as in a basement. Never leave chlorine tablets in the direct sun, even in a covered bucket, because the heat will accelerate the degrading process of the tablet and its ingredients.
A tightly sealed bucket kept in a cool, dry and well-ventilated area will keep chlorine-based chemicals stable for longer. Doing this, along with keeping them away from direct sunlight and water can allow tablets to last well over five years.
Tom: Yes. It is the best place. Even if it's a swimming pool or a septic, if it's salt, if it's any kind of harsh chemicals, and especially chlorine tabs, they need to be in a water- tight container outside. You wouldn't have to lay it in the bright sun, but if he can put it in a shaded area, you'll be fine.
Pool chemicals should be stored in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place. Garages are generally not the best place to store pool chemicals unless they are locked in a storage bin or cabinet. Oxidizers and strong acids corrode metal and can cause heavy rusting of pool, electrical, and other equipment stored in the room.
The container should be away from heat sources, such as heaters or heating pipes. It should also be in a ventilated area where fumes cannot collect. Keep the chlorine tablets away from the garage or anyplace that may have exhaust fumes.
Tablet Chlorine
At 36 months, InTheSwim tablets still have 98% of their original available chlorine, when stored in constant 50-70° F temps with a tightly closed bucket lid. In the right conditions, trichlor tablets can remain viable for over 5 years.
As long as the climate you live in doesn't get extremely hot in the summer, storing pool chemicals outdoors is a possibility. Just make sure they're protected from the elements including direct sunlight.
Store pool chemicals outside the home or attached garage; a locked stand-alone shed is recommended. Lock your storage area to keep children, pets and unauthorized users out. Keep your storage area free of rags, trash, debris, or other materials that could clutter the hazardous material area.
Liquid Chlorine has the shortest shelf life of all your pool chemicals, losing up to 50% or half of its potency six months from when it was first opened and up to 90% after a year.
Your pool chemicals should always be stored in a cool and dry environment, to prevent them from becoming defective or dangerous. Typically, pool owners will stash their chemicals in an outdoor shed or garage.
Can Pool Chemicals Be Stored Outside? If you live in an area where the temperature is moderate, without extremes of heat or cold, then it's fine to store pool chemicals outside. However, if your climate is subject to extremes, indoor storage may be preferable to prevent chemicals from reacting to heat or freezing.
Do not allow chlorine tablets, pellets or flakes to get moist or wet, as they will start to emit highly corrosive and toxic chlorine gas! Do not attempt to transport moistened chlorine tablets, pellets or flakes – you may not survive the trip!
Tablets will last approximately 5-7 days depending upon temperature and amount of water flow.
Chlorine is a common disinfectant that is widely used in swimming pools and leisure centres. Chlorine should not be stored with ammonia, acetylene, benzene, butadiene, hydrogen, any petroleum gases, sodium carbide or turpentine.
Properly stored chlorine tablets should last three to five years. The storage site should be cool, dry and well-ventilated, such as in a basement. Never leave chlorine tablets in the direct sun, even in a covered bucket, because the heat will accelerate the degrading process of the tablet and its ingredients.
It is safe to swim once your chlorine levels are around 5 ppm or after 24 hours. It is always best to test first! Muriatic acid can create a hot spot of acid in the water that could potentially burn or irritate your skin. It is best to wait 30 minutes after adding it to your pool.
Pool chemicals should always be stored in a cool, dry, well ventilated location. I've heard stories of people fainting because they stored their chlorine inside of a garage (in the summer) and passed out because of the chlorine gas.
The ideal location to keep the chemicals is in a locked chemical container in a well-ventilated location outside in cool weather.
When Is It a Good Idea to Store Chemicals Outside? Well, actually never. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) you should reduce or eliminate outdoor storage of toxic materials to prevent loss and possible releases during a major storm event.
Liquid chlorine is a much better choice than tablets for shocking. It is going to go to work right away and get your chlorine levels high in a short time. Saying that, it is an expensive way to do it. Calcium Hypochlorite (cal-hypo) is a much more cost effective way.
Typically, a 3-inch pool chlorine tablet is designed to chlorinate from 7,500 to 10,000 gallons of water per week, meaning it'll take seven days to dissolve. If you have a 30,000-gallon pool, you'll need to place three 3-inch pool chlorine tablets in a chlorinator or floater.
You can use half tablets too, score them with a screwdriver, and break it in half with your hands, underwater in the skimmer basket.
Ferrous and Ferric Iron
Ferric iron is essentially rust, and the yellow color you see around a chlorine tablet is due to the presence of microscopic rust particles suspended in the water. The ferric state is more stable, so ferric iron won't revert to the ferrous state.
If you can get the tabs dry, they'll be okay to put back in the container.