If you're adding your regular doses of chlorine (i.e. not shock), a good rule of thumb is to wait 4-8 hours or until the water has experienced 'turnover' and has been cycled through the whole system. If you're shocking your pool, you'll have to wait longer.
You should wait 8 hours after shocking it to go swimming. If you don't, the high chlorine (or other oxidant) can burn your skin and bother your eyes. It will bleach and shorten the life of your swim suit. It might be bad for your lungs. And you may have trouble seeing the bottom of the pool which is a big safety risk.
You need to wait for at least 8 hours and up to 24 hours after using a chlorine-based shock before you can swim. And you'll want to retest your water to make sure your chemical levels are within range. If your free chlorine is at or below 5 ppm and your pH levels are at or below 7.6, it's likely safe to swim.
Some people are more sensitive to chlorine than others. Chlorine can irritate the eyes, skin, hair, and teeth. Swimming occasionally doesn't cause significant side effects.
If used properly, chlorine can kill most germs within a few minutes. CDC recommends pH 7.0–7.8 and a chlorine concentration of at least 1 ppm in pools and at least 3 ppm in hot tubs.
Too little chlorine permits chloramine compounds to form. It is these compounds that have the strong smell and that cause the irritation.
ALWAYS superchlorinate the pool in the evening to prevent evaporation from the sun. This will get the most out of the product. DO NOT SWIM for at least 12 hrs after superchlorinating your pool. Make sure to test the water before entering the pool to ensure the chlorine is between 1.0 - 3.0ppm.
Can you shock a pool two days in a row? Yes, and if algae is the main problem then a consecutive shock treatment is recommended. Also a double shock is suggested after prolonged rain or heavy daily use.
Try to wait at least 10 minutes between adding chemicals to your pool. This is a sufficient amount of time for the chemicals to mix in the water.
Ideally, you should shock your pool at night, so the sun cannot interfere and destroy the active chemicals before they can do their job. Then, you can add your chlorine post-shock after the chlorine levels have fallen below 5 ppm.
Do not swim in a new pool (or newly renovated pool surface) for at least seven (7) days after filling it up. If your freshly-plastered swimming pool was filled using the Orenda Startup™, swimmers should be able to get in the water after one week, if the water is warm enough.
What's the Recommended Wait Time After Shocking a Pool? While the specific wait time after shocking a pool can vary widely depending on the factors mentioned above, a general guideline when superchlorinating the water is to wait at least 24 to 48 hours before taking a dip.
If you're adding your regular doses of chlorine (i.e. not shock), a good rule of thumb is to wait 4-8 hours or until the water has experienced 'turnover' and has been cycled through the whole system. If you're shocking your pool, you'll have to wait longer.
Showering after swimming helps wash away any lingering pool chemicals from the skin and hair, reducing the risk of inhaling them and minimising the risk of respiratory issues. If you have any cuts or scrapes on your body, they can become a pathway for harmful bacteria to enter your system.
Manufacturers of shock products say it's fine to swim 15 minutes after a non-chlorine shock treatment. Many pool experts, however, recommend waiting until the following day, no matter which type of shock treatment you use.
Shock is chlorine, in a high dose, meant to shock your pool and raise the chlorine level quickly. Chlorine tabs (placed in a chlorinator, floater, or skimmer basket) maintain a chlorine residual in the water. You do need to use both tabs and shock.
You should add chlorine within 48 hours of filling your pool with water. In just 24 hours, bacteria and algae will begin to grow and contaminate your water. After that point, you'll need to shock the water with high levels of chlorine, and you'll likely need to do additional vacuuming to get the pool clean.
Is it possible to shock your pool too much? Yes—excessive shocking of your pool will keep it at an elevated chlorine level. This will cause irritation of the skin and eyes as well as excessive wear and tear on your pool filter system, including excessive corrosion of all metal parts.
Because chlorine becomes unstable in sunlight, you want to shock your pool in the evening and allow it to work overnight. First of all, measure the chlorine levels before shocking the pool and then test again after about 30 minutes. You can perform your final chlorine test in the morning.
If you're dealing with an algae infestation, brush the pool after shocking to remove lingering debris and run the filter. Rinse or backwash your filter to avoid recontamination. If you've still got traces of algae, shock your pool again.
Remove the Hot Tub Cover.
It is crucial that the cover is left open while applying chemicals. When chemicals like spa shock and chlorine are added to water, they release gas into the air. This process is called oxidation. Leave the cover off 10-15 minutes after chemical application.
From effects like red eyes to bleached hair, swimming in a chlorinated pool can do a number on your body. Here's how to deal. Splashing around in a swimming pool is a fun summer pastime. But it can carry some unpleasant side effects: red eyes, itchy skin, and dry hair, to name a few.
In most cases, it takes 24-48 hours for chlorine concentration to drop significantly. If the water is too hot or the chlorine levels are too high, it may take longer for the chlorine to evaporate. You can speed up the process using a chemical oxidizing agent or diluting the water with fresh water.