I just returned from vacation and found my neighbor poured a gallon chlorine in one end of the pool, and half a gallon of Acid at the other end. The pumps are shut off. When I questioned him about it, he said, it's alright because the Robot mixes everything. My pumps scheduled to come on 3 hours after he poured. Apparently he has been doing it this way for years.
Mixing Acid and Chlorine
- Thread starter Fishy1234
- Start date
- May 3, 2014
- 58,276
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Always add liquid chemicals at a return with the pump running. They should be added using a pencil size stream.
I found one use for my booster pump that I don't use since I got a robot. When I turn it on, I get good mixing when I add chemicals in front of the return.
Last edited:
- May 11, 2021
- 973
- Pool Size
- 7000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-30
The “only” thing special about adding chemicals is front of a return is that will mix them really fast rather than leaving the chemicals in high concentrations in one place in the pool in a way they can cause damage.
I definitely know how to add liquid chemicals, but this is my friend and neighbor who is taking care of my pool while I'm vacationing. It really surprised me to see that the pumps aren't running while he is adding both chlorine and acid same time.
So I guess my question is, what kind of damage is done, if any? He claims it's OK and don't worry about it.
- Feb 6, 2015
- 6,031
- Pool Size
- 12300
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
TFP recommendations on this are to help protect the pool surface and better mix in the chemicals.
Your pool, your rules. No matter if he says it's ok or not. Is he going to replace your plater/pebble finish if his way ruins it? If he is unwilling to do it your way, maybe time for another person (who will do it your way) to do it or maaybe time to consider a SWG.
Your pool, your rules. No matter if he says it's ok or not. Is he going to replace your plater/pebble finish if his way ruins it? If he is unwilling to do it your way, maybe time for another person (who will do it your way) to do it or maaybe time to consider a SWG.
Last edited:
- May 11, 2021
- 973
- Pool Size
- 7000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-30
The area where the chemical was dumped will have a higher concentration of it…
Chlorine can bleach vinyl, fiber and plaster.
MA can corrode the plaster (not sure about fiber and vinyl, but can’t be good).
The actual damage depends at lot on how the chemicals are dumped in the water. I personally think it is more of a possibility than a certainty, either way better not risk.
Somebody posted a bleached spot on their liner from the pool service guy PreTFP the other day and called it their pool's drunken tattoo. I thought that was beautiful.
All chemicals dumped the pool are heavier than water and can collect on the bottom, even when added slowly to a return. Obviously chlorine and both acids can cause problems with surfaces but baking soda does also.
Always pour/sprinkle and brush well after. You'll be looking at it for years and years if today is the day it doesn't end well.
After I read the title of this thread, my first thought was "let us know when the funeral will be held".