If you've ever been the victim of a pool shock, you know it's not a pleasant experience. Your skin tingles, your eyesight is blurred, and you may even feel like you can't breathe. But how long after shocking pool can you swim? Let's be with Tavik to go through this problem.
How Long After Shocking Pool Can You Swim?
Pool owners can easily give in to the pressure of children or others who want to swim in their pool. It's easy to let them down. Stand firm! These are the accepted guidelines in the swimming pool industry regarding how long I can swim after adding pool shock.
Wait 24 hours
Many people believe that pool shock can make swimming impossible for more than 24 hours. If you wait for this long, it's almost certain that swimming will be safe. Many people aren't willing to wait so long, and in my experience, it is not usually necessary. But you should not assume that the chlorine will be safe to swim if it has been left overnight. As you can see, it is vital to check the chlorine level first.
Testing Free Chlorine levels
This is how I do it. After shocking a pool, I usually wait for a few hours. However, it takes more than eight hours because I shock the pool in the evening and then run the pump overnight. I'm not an early riser, so I don't always get up very early. The pool water is then tested using a test strip. This allows me to verify the level of chlorine-free. The pool can be used if they are below 5ppm. If they are higher than that, I will leave it for another hour before testing again. However, rarely these levels don't drop below 5ppm overnight.
When to Shock A Pool
A pool owner may need to shock their pool for many reasons. Shock your pool when:
- Open or start-up. The first time you open the pool, or when it is opened for the first season.
- After heavy rain. Rain can carry contaminants with it and may also lower the pH (as rain is often very acidic).
- Heavy use. Perhaps after the pool has been used extensively, or perhaps after a party for children or another similar event.
- Free Chlorine level low. If your pool water has a low free chlorine level, it is worth shocking the water.
- Algal Blooms. If there is a sudden Algae bloom, then you will need to shock your pool by super-chlorinating(using up to 4 times the usual dosage)
- Water temperature. The growth rate of bacteria can be increased if the water temperature in the pool is raised by very hot weather.
- Following an "accident". Maybe your child was too young to swim in the pool, and their swim diaper wasn't as effective as it should have been.
- Season's end. It can be shocking to close your pool in winter, but it can make things easier when you open it up in spring.
Different Types of Pool Shocks
You should always read the instructions on the packaging before you swim. Different types of shocks can have an impact on how long you can swim after being shocked. This will tell you how long to wait before swimming aftershocks are administered.
Chlorine Shocks
Two types of chlorine shocks are calcium hypochlorite (Cal-Hypo) and dichloroisocyanuric Acid (Di-Chlor). Cal-Hypo is the most popular one on the market. It's not only the cheapest but also the most powerful. It is usually used in a container that has been prefilled with water to decompose the chlorine. Di-Chlor is stabilized granular chlorine. Cal-Hypo takes longer to dissolve, while Di-Chlor will increase your pool's cyanuric acid level.
Liquid Chlorine Shock
A liquid chlorine shock can also be purchased that doesn't need to be mixed or dissolved before pool shocking. Although it can be more costly, adding liquid chlorine to your pool is an easy way to shock it. However, you don't have to wait as long to swim after the shock has ended. Champion makes a widespread liquid chlorine shock that is available on Amazon.
Non-chlorine Shocks
These are also called oxidizing shocks. These shocks don't use chlorine to remove impurities from the swimming pool. Instead, they use oxygen. This type of shock can be applied in 20 minutes. Oxidizing shocks can kill algae. For that to happen, you will need chlorine shock.
Testing the Water After Shocking
To determine if the water is safe, you can use liquid tests or test strips. Free chlorine concentrations must be below 5ppm and preferably below 3ppm before swimming can be continued. Let the chlorine shock remain for at least 4 hours before you start testing the water. You should turn off the pool pump after shocking. These are other guidelines to be aware of when you add chemicals to your pool.
Adding Calcium Chloride
After adding calcium chloride to the swimming pool, wait for it to run through its entire filter cycle.
Adding Clarifier, pH, or Alkalinity
You should wait at least 20 minutes before adding acids, bases, or clarifiers to the pool.
Adding Muriatic Acid
To avoid skin irritations or burns, you should wait at least 30 minutes before adding muriatic acid.
Adding Floc
To maintain the pool's efficiency, don't swim in it after you have applied flocculant. Before you vacuum it, let it settle to the bottom of the pool.
Adding Algaecide
You should wait at most 15 minutes after adding algaecide to your pool water before you start swimming.
Swimming Pool Maintenance Course
I didn't know how to maintain and clean a pool when I bought my first house. I was advised to Swim University's Pool Care Handbook and a video course. I have never regretted buying it. It was the best money I ever spent that year, as I saved thousands doing it myself.
What Happens When You Swim In A Shock Pool?
Swimming in a pool that's been just chlorine-shocked can be dangerous (as opposed to oxidizing shock, see above). If you swim before these levels are reached, you could be facing one or more of these problems:
- Stinging eyes
- Skin irritations
- Potentially worse conditions, such as irritation of the lungs.
If in doubt, don't swim! Make sure to test the water before you go.
Can You Over Shock A Pool?
You can, but it is not practical. In practice, this means that the chlorine levels will need to drop to safe levels before you can swim in the pool again. It could take up to 48 hours. The strong chlorine solution can bleach vinyl liners that have been severely overstocked. You can reduce chlorine levels by adding sodium Thiosulfate Granules to your pool. This pool dechlorinator sodium thiosulfate pentahydrate 15 lbs can be purchased on Amazon by Cesco Solutions. The lesson here is to follow the instructions and make sure you only shock at the recommended level. Warn! Always add chemicals to a swimming pool. This means that if you are going to mix the shock solution in an empty bucket, always fill it with water first before adding the shock. Don't put the shock solution in the bucket without filling it with water.
What is The Best time to Wait Before You Can Swim After Adding Other Chemicals?
Some chemicals you might add to your pool may be relatively innocuous, at least when compared to chlorine. However, it is not a good idea for swimmers to immediately go into the pool after being added. It is best to wait for at least 15-30 mins for the chemicals to combine with the pool water. This will ensure no "strong" areas for chemicals like flocculant or muriatic acid, pH plus, minus, or clarifier. Calcium Chloride is added to increase calcium hardness. It is recommended that you wait at least 30 minutes before adding Calcium Chloride. To be safe, follow the instructions on the pack.
My Top 3 Best Pool Cleaning Tools
These are the tools that I found most helpful in cleaning my pool since I started having it.
Vacuum Brush Corner and Step
This tool is great for reaching areas where a standard vacuum can't get. Aquatix Pro Pool Step & Corner Vacuum Brush.
Leaf Rake Net
A good leaf rake/net will be necessary if you have many leaves in your pool. Stargoods Pool Skimmer Net quickly gets under leaves.
Robotic Pool Cleaner
These can be pretty costly, and I was reluctant to buy one for many years. It has never been a regrettable decision. According to all pool forums, Dolphin Nautilus Plus CC Plus is the best pool cleaning robot. It cleans not only the bottom but also the sides of the pool. Related post: Can You Swim On Your Period? Things To Keep In Mind 2022 How Many Calories Does Swimming Burn? How Long After A Tattoo Can You Swim?
FAQs
What Happens If You Go In A Pool That Was Just Shocked?
You can swim if you need to shock the pool in daylight. After adding shock, let the filter run for at least one hour. Then test the water for pH and chlorine before anyone is allowed to enter the pool.
Do You Run A Filter When Shocking The Pool?
It is important that the filter run at least 6 hours after shocking a pool. After the shock has been applied, the filter should be run for at least 6 hours to ensure that it can clean the water and the shock can mix fully with the water. You will need to run your filter for 24-hours to 7 days if you have a lot of algae in your pool.
Can You Shock A Pool Twice In One Day?
To kill algae, it is recommended to shock your pool twice a day. The reason algae return quickly is because the chlorine levels are not high enough to kill them properly.
