Chlorine is not getting into the pool. Could the chlorinator be clogged. If so, how do I unclog it?

Question

Chlorine is not getting into the pool. Could the chlorinator be clogged. If so, how do I unclog it?

Answer 1

It's possible Brenda. If you posted the make and model of the chlorinator it would be helpful though. Are you seeing the pucks disappearing or are they still present in the chlorinator? If what you're adding is dissolving, I'd be looking elsewhere as the issue. For example it could be an out of range stabilizer reading for starters or simply more organics in the pool than the chlorinator can handle.

If the pucks AREN'T dissolving then yes, a clogged chlorinator. If it's an inline, many will have a screen at the bottom that can get clogged up with puck filler material. If it's an off line chlorinator, many will have a check valve on the "out" tubing that can get clogged.

Depending on the make and model, some have dial valves that tend to fail. Hard to say what the issue is without a little more info.

Edit: IMPORTANT.

I just saw that the person who also answered here suggested using a dilute water/ acid mix for unclogging a feeder line. DON'T. Acid and chlorine don't mix. Not at all unless it's a pool volume of water we're talking about. You could have fire or explosion result in what is proposed there.

Answer 2

What type of chlorinator do you use and what variety of pool chlorine are you using?  It is rare that the chlorine injection lines for bringing liquid chlorine from it's container and pumping it into the water circulation get clogged.  They do get kinked sometimes, though.  Check for that, and make sure the pump (peristaltic pump, perhaps?) is working.  The peristaltic pumps, which squeeze fluid through a flexible tube, do sometimes crack or break those tubes.

If you have an erosion feeder with tablet chlorine, it is even more rare for that to become fouled.  

Check your circulation pump and make sure that is moving water as expected.  Check any feed pumps.  Then check the lines themselves.  Simply rinsing out the feed lines with straight tap water, or maybe with a very dilute acid-water mix, should remove any deposits.

Use proper safety methods when disconecting any feed lines.  It's best to wear a face shield and rubber gloves.  Check the labels on the products you are using and follow the precautions they list.