Chemical storage in the cold?

[dpeat14]

The pool is all closed up and I'm wondering what chemicals need to be stored inside and which ones (if any) can stay outside in the shed for the winter? I live near Chicago and it gets pretty cold.

Thanks!

 

[jblizzle]

Solids should be fine outside.
I would think acid would be as well.
Liquid chlorine likely should not freeze, but being cold is fine.

 

[pwrstrk]

I believe the freezing point of 12.5% liquid chlorine is 5 degrees and regular 8.25% bleach is 18-20 degrees. ?

 

[dpeat14]

Thanks...is it safe to keep that stuff in the basement? I have a wooden box/cabinet type of thing I was going to store it all in. I understand a few things shouldn't be stored closely together, right?

 

[jblizzle]

Keep different types of chlorine separate and the acid away from all the chlorine.

 

[KristenNScott]

When you say keep the acid away from the chlorine, how far away is away. Same room, different shelf, or different rooms?

 

[jblizzle]

So there is no chance of them mixing even if both of them spilled.

 

[aussieta]

don't keep the acid inside , it corodes everything
must sweat a vapour or something even when bottle is closed tight

 

[forya]

Liquid Chlorine will degrade while stored. If you start with 12.5 it will probably be closer to 6% by next spring

 

[KristenNScott]

I won't store any chlorine. I buy it as I need it so whatever is left over will get used for cleaning inside.

Aussieta - what do you mean by not keeping it inside? You mean inside the house? We currently keep it in our little pool house (our little building with the pump, filter, and hot water heater in 1/2 & bathroom in the other). Where do you keep yours?

 

[aussieta]

i keep my acid in the little equipment shed which is nowhere near airtight
has plenty of airflow

 

[chem geek]

I believe the freezing point of 12.5% liquid chlorine is 5 degrees and regular 8.25% bleach is 18-20 degrees. ��

As I calculate in this post, the freezing point of 8.25% bleach is actually around 15ºF. It's 6% bleach that is around 19ºF.

 

[dpeat14]

So...liquid chlorine can stay inside but I shouldn't expect it to be real strong next season. The acid should stay outside. I also have stabilizers, clarifiers, etc...those can come inside or should they just stay out? And the chlorine tabs can come inside but should be kept separate from the liquid. Does that about cover it all?

Thanks for the help!

 

[chem geek]

The miscellaneous chemicals should come inside since they might get damaged by freezing and they shouldn't be harmful stored indoors. As for chlorine of any type, make sure the tops are sealed tightly but note that chlorinating liquid and bleach have pressure-release tops so can expel some chlorine. It's not nearly as harmful as hydrochloric acid, but it can still cause a little corrosion. If you store it in an area that is well ventilated, you should be OK.

Chlorine tabs are OK to stay outdoors -- in general, solid chemicals are OK outdoors as they have no water to freeze.

 

[Smykowski]

I had a gallon of acid stored outside under my deck for the last two years (including this past brutally cold winter). Just used it to drop the pH in my pool, and it worked exactly as expected.

 

[dpeat14]

Thanks for all of the input so far. I have specifics now and just don't want to do anything that isn't safe, so...I have a wooden box with 2 separate compartments, completely sealed from each other. One side has a pull out box, so essentially it's got 2 levels. Both have locking lids, not necessarily totally air-tight.
Here are the chemicals I am bringing in...what should I keep separate and which could go back outside?

4 bottles liquid chlorine...unopened, sealed
2 bottles of powder Chlorine stabilizer (cyanuric acid)...both have been opened but are sealed
2 bottles of PH down, powder...opened
1 bottle of PH plus
1 bottle of alkalinity plus
Also have a tub of chlorine tabs but they are staying outside.

Thanks!