Chlorine in tablet form, especially, is hard to find and expensive. There are several reasons for this: Pandemic problems. Supply chain interruptions and staff shortages mean less product on the market.
According to experts, there is a chlorine shortage due to a swimming pool boom and a fire at a chemical plant in Louisiana. This shortage will make it more expensive to keep pools clean.
The reason why trichlor tablets are so expensive and why they are sold out at many pool supply stores is because of the national trichlor supply shortage.
The reason for the shortage: The plant in Louisiana that manufactures more than half of the chlorine tables in the U.S. was destroyed last summer by a massive fire. The alternative is using liquid chlorine; but that's in short supply as well.
The shortage is due to increased demand for pool supplies during the pandemic and a chemical fire at a BioLab facility in Louisiana after Hurricane Laura that knocked out one of the country's three main chlorine manufacturers.
Increased demand.
As COVID concerns curtailed vacations, more American homeowners put their money in their backyards. Swimming pool construction surged during the pandemic, with many contractors reporting order backlogs well into 2022. More pools mean more demand for chlorine.
Pandemic-related supply issues have contributed to a chlorine shortage. Destruction of a chlorine manufacturing plant has had the greatest effect. Completion of the rebuilt plant in 2022/2023 should ease supply issues. Chlorine tablet alternatives include liquid chlorine, bleach, and bromine.
BioLab Fire
It not only brought the threat of high winds, fallen power lines and deadly waters, but also the potential for hazardous air conditions caused by chemical breaches in the nearby chemical plant. The loss of this plant will result in a nationwide chlorine shortage that will be felt through the 2021 season.
Chlorine Shortage 2022: The Nation's Chlorine Supply Takes Yet Another Potential Hit. *Update: Fortunately, it does not appear that this factory fire has resulted in any major chlorine loss and will not contribute to the expected ongoing chlorine shortage in 2022.
Those that aren't closing are warily keeping an eye on the rising cost of chlorine, which has nearly doubled in some places. “For the past 20 years, a typical 50-pound bucket of chlorine would run anywhere from $75 to $85,” a Las Vegas pool operator recently told CNBC.
What can you use instead? Bromine — considered a safe substitute for chlorine. Looks for BCDMH tablets, which are typically 66% bromine and 27% chlorine. If unable to find, you can use just bromine but it may leave the water a dull green color.
There are alternatives to chlorine including bromine, ionizers, and ozonators, though with each you'll still need to use some chlorine. A fourth alternative is PHMB, which doesn't require the use of any chlorine.
During the fire, around 40% of the entire nation's chlorine was destroyed, sending a shockwave through the pool industry and setting up supply issues going into 2021. Now, as the industry prepares for pool season 2022, this very important factory has yet to be completely rebuilt and is still not producing chlorine.
You can swim with chlorine tablets in the pool if the chlorine tablets are in a container. Getting in touch with those tablets can cause rashes, irritation and eye problems. However, to be in a safe zone it will be better if you wait for 3 to 5 hours till the chlorine levels touch 4 to 6 ppm.
Shock is chlorine, in a high dose, meant to shock your pool and raise the chlorine level quickly. Chlorine tabs (placed in a chlorinator, floater, or skimmer basket) maintain a chlorine residual in the water. You do need to use both tabs and shock.
About 40 percent of respondents reported using calcium hypochlorite. This area pays an average price of about $3.38 per pound of available chlorine for calcium hypochlorite. The cost of liquid chlorine was reported to be $2.88 per gallon.
Short answer: yes. Longer answer: it depends on the formulation. The label on every bleach bottle should tell you the ratio of sodium hypochlorite (and available chlorine) in the bottle to everything else. A higher percentage is generally better, as you'll need to use less bleach to treat your pool.
Pros of Saltwater Pools
There's less chlorine and less of the heavy chemical scent and content. They're gentler on the skin, with less irritation to the eyes, hair and swimsuits. The water has a softer, silkier feel to it compared to chlorine water. They have lower maintenance costs than chlorine pools.
Mineral Swim is the only system of it's kind combining Australian made ozone water purification technology with 100% natural Dead Sea minerals to make it the safest, healthiest swimming pool about.
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.
Small 20g chlorine tablets will dissolve slowly over a period of 3-7 days depending on water flow, water temperature and hot tub usage.
Tablets will last approximately 5-7 days depending upon temperature and amount of water flow.
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.
A fiberglass pool is not prone to growing algae, which is one of the main reasons why this pool is easier to maintain. Anyone who is looking for a pool that doesn't require a lot of maintenance may want to consider going with a fiberglass pool.
Pools with vinyl liners will last more than 20 years, as long as you replace your liner every 6-12 years. Concrete pools have exceptional longevity, but you need to resurface the concrete every 10 years or so. Fiberglass pools have the longest lifespans of any in-ground pool, often easily surpassing 30 years.