Does DE have a shelf life?

[Pommezimbo]

Quick question, have searched as best I can but cannot find if this has been asked before. Basically I have been hunting around where I live for DE (more about the challenges for pool care in Zimbabwe detailed in this: http://www.troublefreepool.com/no-way-to-obtain-fas-dpd-test-t71335.html post) for about 6 months now in order to experiment with the method of adding small amounts to sand filter for added water polish/ filtering.

Today, unexpectedly and finally I came across a guy who had some unopened bags of the stuff (pool grade sold under the name of Africhem, a pool chemical company in SA) he said it had been lying around for years, between 5-20 years he didn't know as he didn't buy it. He reckoned it was out of date now so gave it to me for free.

Does this stuff go bad?

I hope not as then I have 10kg's of it for free!!!!!!

Cheers as always for help and input received.

Mike

 

[Bama Rambler]

It does not go bad per-se. There are things that could happen to it to make it unusable but if it's still in bags, is still powder and is still white, it's good.

 

[Pommezimbo]

That is exactly what I was hoping to hear :-D

Will post a pic but as far as I can tell looks pretty good to me!!

 

[Leebo]

Just make sure there was zero moisture around the bags. A bit of water ruins the entire bag quickly.

 

[Pommezimbo]

Untitled by pommezimbo, on Flickr

The yellow brown dots are just on the plastic, not in the powder inside

 

[Pommezimbo]

Untitled by pommezimbo, on Flickr

 

[Pommezimbo]

Thank's for the tip leebo, how can I tell if that has happened, does it clump up or something?
Glad you mentioned that actually as was going to leave by the filter but now will move inside to keep dry out of rain etc

 

[Leebo]

Normally if the bag is unopened it's OK, but being so old you never know. Kinda feel the bag, and it should feel like a bag of flour. If it's hard, it's got wet.

Now that I re-read and see it was free enjoy. You got a score!

 

[Pommezimbo]

The powder inside is still thankfully just that- powder, like flour or talc. So looks like it's survived pretty good- score I think indeed!!!

Cheers leebo