Common problems and solutions with Tri-Chlor Chlorinators.

If the chlorinator stops working, you definitely have a problem. You will notice that your chlorine level is not keeping up, and if you aren’t watching your chlorine level, the first thing you may see is a green pool.

In this article, we discuss some of the common issues that arise with inline chlorinators.

MY CHLORINATOR IS NOT DISSOLVING THE TABLETS

When your chlorinator seems to stop working, here are some things to check:

Control Valve

If the control valve will not open and close fully, then there is something stuck in it. You could try to clean it out, but often it is a residue from the tablets that will not effectively clean off. It is best to replace the valve in this situation.

Overall System Flow

Automatic chlorinators rely on the overall flow of the system to push water through the chlorinator. If the flow in the system is reduced for some reason, then the chlorinator will not work nearly as well.

• Does the filter need to be backwashed?
• Do the skimmers need to be emptied?
• Does the pump trap need to be emptied?

MY CHLORINATOR IS BUILDING UP STRONG CHLORINE GAS

If the tablets are not dissolving, and you get a strong smell of chlorine when you open the chlorinator, you probably have a bad check valve in the chlorinator. It is not allowing any water to move through the chlorinator, and any water that is there simply sits there and builds up a yellowish chlorine gas.

This can be a very dangerous situation, particularly if you inhale this chlorine gas. This is why you should always be careful when opening the chlorinator. Always stand back and hold your breath slightly while opening it, just in case there is a dangerous buildup of fumes inside the unit.

MY CHLORINATOR IS BUBBLED AND GUMMED UP ON THE INSIDE

There is nothing that can be realistically done to clean this out. Chlorine tablets often contain a binder that holds the granules together. This binder forms a very sticky residue that gums everything up. If this describes your chlorinator, then it is time for a new chlorinator, and it is probably best because after 8-10 years the unit will start costing you money anyhow and it is cheaper to replace it than to pay for a bunch of repairs then decide to replace it.

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