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How to Store Pool Chemicals
Your swimming pool chemicals work hard to keep your water clean and safe to swim in. In the right quantities, they’re essential for the health of the pool; in larger quantities, they can be hazardous, so they should always be used with caution. This also means being mindful about properly storing your pool chemicals.
Whether you’re storing everything away for winter or are stocking up for the swimming season, you’ll need a good chemical storage system in place. Generally, the best place for storing chemicals is somewhere that’s:
This is good general advice for most kinds of chemicals. It’s likely the same advice you’ll see on the back of your chemicals’ packets, as more volatile conditions may cause the chemicals to become unstable, leading to potentially dangerous reactions.
On this point, before doing anything else we’d always suggest carefully reviewing the manufacturer’s storage instructions on your chemicals’ packaging to see if there’s anything particular to note about the safe storage of that particular product.
Your chemicals won’t like being exposed to extreme temperatures, whether that’s very warm or cold. Storing them somewhere ‘cool’ will mean ensuring they’re in a place where the temperature doesn’t fluctuate too much – this is why you may not want to store them outside if you live somewhere that’s particularly prone to extreme, changeable weather.
We’d also recommend keeping chemicals out of direct sunlight. If you are keeping them in a garden shed or garage, keep them away from windows and ensure they’re always in a shady spot.
Cold and below-freezing temperatures can ruin your chemicals and make them less effective, while hot temperatures can trigger more dangerous reactions, releasing fumes or even potentially causing fires in some cases.
Similarly, you should make sure your stored chemicals won’t come into contact with any moisture or increased humidity. If any moisture gets into your dry chemicals, the reaction can generate lots of heat in a short amount of time, again potentially releasing gases or leading to more extreme chemical reactions.
Make sure the lids to all your chemical containers are properly sealed to avoid the risk of moisture getting in.
If any accidental reactions do take place or fumes are released, it’s important that the space is well-ventilated to allow these fumes and any gases to dissipate. If they cannot escape, you may risk inhaling the fumes that have built up when you go to open the chemical container again.
So, if you’re using a lockable container or cabinet to store your chemicals, we’d recommend ensuring there are slots or vents to ensure good airflow and ventilation.
Another thing you’ll need to think about is keeping chemicals away from children and pets. Chemicals should be out of sight and out of reach – it may be a good idea to keep them in separate plastic bins (still in their original containers) to keep them hidden and stored away.
It’s advised that you don’t store any chemical containers over your head, but also don’t keep them directly on the floor as this could put them at risk of getting damaged by flooding or make it easier for children to access. Avoid stacking chemical containers, as this could lead to spillages or contamination, and make sure they’re stored upright.
Carefully read the manufacturer’s recommendations on your chemicals’ containers to see if certain chemicals should not be stored in close proximity. For example, you should always store liquid and dry chemicals separately in case of any leaks. Oxidisers and acids should also be stored separately to avoid chemical reactions between the two.
You should remain mindful of any other household chemicals or items that could cause issues when coming into contact with your swimming pool chemicals. For example, you should store pool chemicals away from things like:
You should also never reuse any empty containers, as you may end up mixing chemicals accidentally. Dispose of old containers carefully, according to your local rules and requirements.
Keep an eye on how long your chemicals are good for. There’s no point storing old chemicals you won’t want to use. Don’t mix old chemicals and new ones, even if they are the same sort – just start afresh and properly dispose of chemicals that have exceeded their shelf life.
Chemicals come with a Safety Data Sheet, which provides information about how to safely use particular products. These safety sheets will include details about recommended storage and what you need to do in case there is an accident.
Being familiar with all this information and keeping a safety sheet on hand can be a good idea – if there is an emergency or issue with the chemicals, everything you need to know will be readily available.
Properly storing chemicals is just another part of being a diligent pool owner!
If you need any more supplies to make your life that bit easier, head over to our product selection – from pool winterising chemicals to spring opening essentials, we stock everything you require to keep your pool happy and healthy.
