+ Reply to Thread
Results 1 to 10 of 11

Thread: Big oops.....non-pool antifreeze in water :(

Hybrid View

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 1969
    Location
    Connecticut.
    Posts
    115

    Default Big oops.....non-pool antifreeze in water :(

    Started winterizing my IG pool today. Grabbed a couple bottles of (what I thought) was Polyquat. Apparently one of the bottles was my "gizmo" from last season (just an old Polyquat bottle with real antifreeze in it that I leave in the skimmer).

    Sure enough, I got 1/4 of the bottle in before I realized what was up.

    Since Im closing it Im not too worried right now (no one will be using the pool), but when opening next year, what should I do? There was honestly not much put in the pool, but with a little one that will be swimming next year any amount worries me. I feel DUUUUUUMB right about now.

    -Chris

  2. #2
    chem geek is offline PF Supporter Whibble Konker chem geek 4 stars chem geek 4 stars chem geek 4 stars chem geek 4 stars
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    California
    Age
    64
    Posts
    2,226

    Default Re: Big oops.....non-pool antifreeze in water :(

    As long as you used propylene glycol as your antifreeze and not ethylene glycol, then I wouldn't worry about it. Propylene glycol is actually used in some foods, though it is in small quantities and is not something that is safe to drink "straight" (though I find that it's quite refreshing on the rocks with a twist of lemon -- just kidding).

    Richard

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 1969
    Location
    Connecticut.
    Posts
    115

    Default Re: Big oops.....non-pool antifreeze in water :(

    Quote Originally Posted by chem geek View Post
    As long as you used propylene glycol as your antifreeze and not ethylene glycol, then I wouldn't worry about it. Propylene glycol is actually used in some foods, though it is in small quantities and is not something that is safe to drink "straight" (though I find that it's quite refreshing on the rocks with a twist of lemon -- just kidding).

    Richard
    Any easy way to tell if it was EG or not?

    I talked to a couple people that said its probably not a big deal either way, considering only about 6 or 7 oz ended up in the 22000 gallons of water. I was worried about EG as well, but Im not sure what type of antifreeze ended up in the pool.

    -Chris

  4. #4
    chem geek is offline PF Supporter Whibble Konker chem geek 4 stars chem geek 4 stars chem geek 4 stars chem geek 4 stars
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    California
    Age
    64
    Posts
    2,226

    Default Re: Big oops.....non-pool antifreeze in water :(

    Quote Originally Posted by chrisexv6 View Post
    Any easy way to tell if it was EG or not?
    Doesn't it say what the ingredients are somewhere in the bottle (perhaps in some fine print, or in an ingredient list)? Also, if this were EG it would give dire and drastic warnings that this is a poison. Only PG can be labelled as "non-toxic antifreeze". I don't know an easy way to tell the difference.

    And it is true that the amount you added was so small that it should not be a problem. First of all, you aren't drinking your pool water and secondly, even if your kids swallowed some pool water it would be extraordinarily diluted. So yes, you are probably safe.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 1969
    Location
    Connecticut.
    Posts
    115

    Default Re: Big oops.....non-pool antifreeze in water :(

    Quote Originally Posted by chem geek View Post
    Doesn't it say what the ingredients are somewhere in the bottle (perhaps in some fine print, or in an ingredient list)? Also, if this were EG it would give dire and drastic warnings that this is a poison. Only PG can be labelled as "non-toxic antifreeze". I don't know an easy way to tell the difference.

    And it is true that the amount you added was so small that it should not be a problem. First of all, you aren't drinking your pool water and secondly, even if your kids swallowed some pool water it would be extraordinarily diluted. So yes, you are probably safe.
    The antifreeze was actually in an algecide bottle (bad move, I know). I use an empty bottle filled with antifreeze as a "gizmo" in my skimmer, so the bottle absorbs any ice expansion instead of my skimmer. I grabbed the "algecide" bottle and stared pouring into my pool, quickly realizing what was wrong. So the bottle it came from wasnt antifreeze, therefore I dont know what type of AF it was.

    Does EG break down? I thought I read that it does actually break down in water over a period of time (like 4-5 weeks). Since winter up here in CT is a lot longer than that, I feel we're safe for next year.

    -Chris

  6. #6
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Sanford, FL
    Posts
    387

    Default Re: Big oops.....non-pool antifreeze in water :(

    Isn't the non-toxic stuff not florescent green/yellow - isn't it pink?

    (This might be stupid since I am in FL and don't even keep anti-freeze)
    Completed 8/21/06
    14,000 gallon 3'-6' concrete pool with Diamond Brite
    Spa with spillway
    250K BTU gas heater (for spa)
    SWCG - Aqua Rite
    Hayward Super II Pump - Cartridge filter

    See pictures here http://www.philsimmons.com/family/ga...mages&keyword=

  7. #7
    waste is offline PF Support Team Whizbang Spinner waste 3 stars waste 3 stars waste 3 stars
    Join Date
    Dec 1969
    Location
    S.E Maine
    Age
    57
    Posts
    1,765

    Default Re: Big oops.....non-pool antifreeze in water :(

    Chris, a fine point here, if you want to use a gallon jug for freeze protection - I recomend ~ 1/2 filling the jug with sand or gravel, to give it 'neutral boyancy'. Whether antifreeze is heavier than water, I don't know - but a floating jug does NO good for freeze protection.
    Luv & Luk, Ted

    Having done construction and service for 4 pool companies in 4 states starting in 1988, what I know about pools could fill a couple of books - what I don't know could fill libraries

  8. #8
    chem geek is offline PF Supporter Whibble Konker chem geek 4 stars chem geek 4 stars chem geek 4 stars chem geek 4 stars
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    California
    Age
    64
    Posts
    2,226

    Default Re: Big oops.....non-pool antifreeze in water :(

    Quote Originally Posted by chrisexv6 View Post
    Does EG break down? I thought I read that it does actually break down in water over a period of time (like 4-5 weeks). Since winter up here in CT is a lot longer than that, I feel we're safe for next year.
    Antifreeze doesn't break down as quickly as you say (at least not in pure water). If it did, then mixing it with the water in your car's radiator would not last through an entire winter. Generally, antifreeze (either by itself or mixed with water) is supposed to be replaced every 2 years (some special types of antifreeze last up to 5 years, but not EG or PG). It does eventually breakdown into carbon dioxide and water.

    Since EG and PG are small organic compounds, they could very well be oxidized by chlorine (to carbon dioxide and water) and would very likely be oxidized by non-chlorine shock (potassium monopersulfate, aka KMPS). So if you are REALLY concerned about this (and I don't think you need be), you can put in a shock dose of chlorine and/or add KMPS to ensure that you've destroyed all the organics in your pool, including any EG or PG in your pool. The only reason I bring up KMPS is that it oxidizes organics better than chlorine (whereas chlorine combines readily with ammonia, it combines more slowly with various organic compounds, depending on the specific organic, whether it has nitrogen sites which EG and PG do not, etc.). Of course, the chlorine will have all winter to oxidize the EG or PG so it might very well do the trick without any need for KMPS. I'm just giving you options depending on your level of concern.

    Richard
    Last edited by chem geek; 09-28-2006 at 07:48 PM.

+ Reply to Thread

Similar Threads

  1. Newbie here! Already filled my intex 15x36 pool with water (Oops!)
    By joolz1226 in forum Pool Chemistry for Intex-type Pools
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 08-03-2012, 07:40 PM
  2. oops I caused a perfectly clear pool to be cloudy
    By Cords in forum Using Chlorine and Chlorinating Chemicals
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 06-06-2011, 09:08 AM
  3. pool antifreeze
    By pc boy in forum Pool Startup, Shutdown, & Winter Operation
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 03-13-2011, 10:23 AM
  4. antifreeze and pool heaters (corrosion)
    By Deuce2 in forum Pool Equipment & Operations
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 06-01-2007, 10:50 PM
  5. Oops! my kid caddyshacked the pool.
    By jenpen400 in forum Using Chlorine and Chlorinating Chemicals
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 07-18-2006, 10:13 AM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts