How to Store Pool Chemicals the Right Way?

You have cleaned your pool; we get it. It’s a lot of hard work but since the cleaning process holds a lot of chemicals, you need to learn how to store them the right way. Not doing so can be extremely dangerous, especially if you have kids and pets around. You know how curious they can be, nibbling at stuff lying around. What if they accidentally swallow the chemical or spill it over?

Why Proper Storage Matters

Many raw chemicals are used within your pool to balance the pH and keep it clean, but if they come in direct contact with your skin, they become extremely corrosive and cause burns and irritations. If they haven’t been sealed properly, exposure to the sun and air might degrade their properties while releasing toxic fumes. An increase in temperature will cause them to become more reactive and, therefore, more dangerous in case of spills, where they might react with one another or even explode.

The Best Location for Storing Pool Chemicals

Storing pool chemicals in the right environment keeps them effective and prevents hazards. Heat, sunlight, and moisture can degrade or react with chemicals, making them unsafe. To ensure longevity and safety, follow these storage guidelines.

Choosing the Right Spot

Ensure the place you are keeping your pool chemicals is well-ventilated and cool; it should also be safe from heat and sun to preserve their chemical properties. Moisture can dilute the chemicals while UV rays from the sun break down chemicals, especially chlorine, making it ineffective to use anymore.

Indoor vs. Outdoor Storage

Indoor storage should be preferred to keep prying hands away from your pool chemicals; a garage or basement make solid options. However, if it’s not possible, lock the chemicals in a weatherproof shed or cabinet and choose a cool and shady place to keep them all intact and ready for use.

Temperature Guidelines

You want to store the chemicals at a low temperature, between 40°F (4°C) and 80°F (27°C), since extreme temperatures on both sides of the scale can damage the pool chemicals. Heat can make them more reactive, and excessively cool temperatures can cause thawing.

Storage Containers and Materials

The original containers of the pool chemicals are the best to store them safely. This is because manufacturers consider the reactivity and other properties of the material. If you transfer them into another container, make sure it’s non-corrosive and completely dry and empty since the presence of other materials can cause them to degrade or even react with your pool chemicals. The containers should also be properly sealed to prevent leaks and spills.

Safety Precautions When Storing Pool Chemicals

Since pool chemicals are reactive, employ the proper tools while handling them. This includes gloves when you are working with corrosive materials and spill kits to control the damage in case of accidents. Another thing you want to be careful of is maintaining the distance between the pool chemicals and other substances in your household to avoid unwanted reactions. You can label the containers to avoid confusion. Last but certainly not least, ensure they are out of reach of children since contact or ingestion with any chemicals can be extremely dangerous. Lock them away for an extra measure of safety.

Signs of Improperly Stored Chemicals

Besides being a hazard, improperly stored chemicals can be easy to spot if you know what you are looking for.

Degradation and Ineffectiveness

You can easily spot your degraded chlorine products if they have yellowish tints on them. When broken down by the sunlight, chlorine products release chlorine gas which makes them ineffective to be used in your pool any more. Clumping is also a sign of degradation where the moisture interacts with the surface of the chemical, especially powders like algaecides and stabilizers, sticking the granules to one another, making them difficult to dissolve and ineffective for further use.

Physical Damage or Leaks

Damaged containers are a sure sign of degradation as they expose pool chemicals to the air and moisture and also emit dangerous fumes that you want to avoid. Apart from that, if you spot a leakage or spill, transfer the chemical to an undamaged one while making sure it’s properly sealed before cleaning up the mess according to community guidelines.

Expired Chemicals

Check the expiry date on the chemicals’ packaging. Otherwise, they are not only ineffective but also extremely dangerous for your pool. Although pool chemicals generally have a long shelf life, some, like algaecides, expire more quickly than others, so you should replace them as soon as possible and dispose of them safely.

Your Pool Chemical Safety Checklist

Even though you might have gotten familiar with using pool chemicals, you can never be too careful while handling them. Get a little more organized and be more cautious while handling the chemicals.

1. Choose the Right Storage Location: Always store your pool chemicals in a dry, cool, and well-ventilated area, away from direct sunlight and moisture.
2. Use Original Containers: Keep chemicals in their original, sealed containers to avoid contamination and accidental spills.
3. Separate Incompatible Chemicals: Store chemicals like chlorine and acids separately to prevent dangerous reactions.
4. Secure Storage: Ensure chemicals are stored in a locked, child-proof area to keep them away from children and pets.
5. Check for Degradation: Regularly inspect chemicals for signs of deterioration, such as discoloration, clumping, or leaks, and replace expired products.

By following these safety steps, you’ll help extend the life of your chemicals, ensure a safe pool environment, and avoid costly accidents. Keep this checklist in mind to maintain a safe, clean, and well-balanced pool all season long.