Treatment FAQ

how long after shock treatment in pool is it safe to swim?

by Geovanny Bashirian Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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After you shock the pool — As soon as your chlorine levels reach 5 ppm or lower, it's officially safe to swim. Depending on the type of shock used, as well as the amount used, it can take anywhere from 24 hours or even up to a couple of days.Jun 23, 2021

How long after swimming after shock can you swim?

With this type of shock, you can swim in the pool just one hour after. Chlorine- based shock contains high levels of pH and will alter both your pH and chlorine levels in the pool. Chlorine- free shock has a neutral pH and will not affect any of your other chemical levels.

Is it safe to go in a pool after it's shocked?

Here's What Experts Say When is it safe to go into a pool after it's shocked? In general, it's recommended that you wait up to 24 hours to hop into a pool after it's been shocked, depending on the size of the pool, Alan says.

How often do you have to shock a swimming pool?

You need to shock your pool once a week. If you don’t do it every week, you should at least do it every other week. This is necessary for maintaining water chemistry and making sure that your swimming pool is safe to swim on. Does too much chlorine make the pool cloudy?

How long should you wait to swim after using pool chemicals?

How long you wait depends on the type of chemical that is used, how much of it is used in relation to the size of your pool, and if your pool pump is turned on or not. The best way to know precisely when it is safe to enter the pool again is by using test strips that measure the chemicals.

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What happens if you swim too soon after shocking pool?

If you do not wait for the chemicals used to shock a pool to totally dissolve then you could be placing yourself in serious danger by swimming in it. At the minimum, you will feel itchy skin and eyes because of the chemicals present in the water.

Can you swim 6 hours after shocking pool?

For chlorine based pool shocks (calcium hypochlorite, bleach and liquid chlorine), it will be safe to swim in 6 hours and up to 5 days after shocking. It's more important to wait until chlorine levels are below 5 ppm before swimming and the pH is from 7.2 to 7.8, rather than an elapsed time.

Can I swim 12 hours after shocking pool?

Can I swim 12 hours after shocking the pool? It's usually safe to swim after letting the shock circulate in the water for at least 8 hours. However, we recommend testing the water's chlorine level before swimming. A high chlorine reading may be uncomfortable and dangerous to swimmers.

Can you swim in a pool that was just shocked?

You should wait one hour per pound of shock product added, and then test the water to confirm the pH and chlorine are in the proper range before letting anyone enter the pool. As a reminder, you want your pH to be between 7.2 and 7.8ppm and your free available chlorine to be 1-4ppm for safe swimming.

How long after a shock can you go into a pool?

When is it safe to go into a pool after it's shocked? In general, it's recommended that you wait up to 24 hours to hop into a pool after it's been shocked, depending on the size of the pool, Alan says.

What is shocking in pool?

Shocking is "the process of adding chemicals to the pool to make water composition ideal for chlorine or non-chlorine alternatives to work best," Jamie Alan, PhD, an associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology at Michigan State, tells Health.

Is it safe to dive in a pool after shocking it?

Shocking is a crucial part of having a clean pool, but it involves the use of some pretty hefty chemicals, including chlorine. It's only natural to wonder when you can dive in after all of that. Experts say you definitely shouldn't rush the process—here's why. when it’s safe to go in your pool after shocking it.

What Is Pool Shock?

Before we tell you about the time you need to wait before you can dive into your pool, let’s talk about pool shock and why it’s important to wait to swim after adding it.

When Can I Swim After Shocking My Pool?

The general guideline is that it’s safe to swim in a pool 24 hours after shocking it. To be safe, test your chlorine and pH using a chemical test kit to see if they are in balance. Make sure your free chlorine level has returned to 3ppm or less.

Just a Little Longer

Once your pool has met the conditions we discuss above, it will be time to jump in and enjoy. Please visit our safety guides for more valuable information on how to keep your family and home safe.

How long should you wait to shock a pool?

If shocking during the day, you should wait one hour per pound of shock product added, and then test the water to make sure levels are safe for swimming.

When to shock a pool?

Now, you’ve probably heard that best practice is to shock your pool in the evening or at night – after the sun goes down. That’s because shock is like a vampire – the UV rays from sunlight soak up your free available chlorine – the very thing you’re trying to increase by adding shock to your pool. So, it’s easier to just say, “shock at night ...

What Does Shocking A Pool Mean?

Before we answer the main question, it’s worth explaining and clarifying what shocking a pool actually means, because no, it doesn’t mean giving it an electrical shock, that would definitely be dangerous!

How Long After Shocking Is A Pool Totally Safe To Swim In?

Once you have shocked the pool by adding all of the necessary chemicals, you need to wait for a certain amount of time, while they do their job and eliminate all of the bacteria.

What Happens If You go Into The Pool Too Soon After It Being Shocked?

It is very important that you allow for at least 24 hours after shocking a pool before you can safely use it.

In Conclusion

So, to sum it up, shocking a swimming pool is the process of adding chemicals so that the water can be cleaned, and all bacteria and algae are eliminated. It essentially makes the pool safe for use.

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