Can You Swim 12 Hours After Shocking Pool? Recommended 24 Hours
To kill bacteria in the pool, you add chlorine or other chemicals. However, due to algae invasions or storms, you might need to super-chlorinate the pool.
This process is called pool shocking. So, how long after shocking the pool can you swim? Keep reading. That is what we are going to find out here.
What is shocking a pool?
Shocking the pool is not the regular addition of chlorine. Regarding how often you should shock the pool, do it at least once every two weeks. But with heavy use, you can do it once a week or sooner.
Usually, the water in the pool is chlorinated. However, the regular chlorine that you add to the pool might not do the cleaning job well. Therefore, you might have to use a pool shock. You can use this product to clean a neglected pool.
To shock is to clean the pool thoroughly, something that you should do as soon as the swimming season kicks in.
You do not shock the pool all the time. This is something you do after neglecting the pool for some time, or once a week during the swimming season. If there has been a storm, you will need to shock the pool to clean it out.
When you shock the pool, you increase the chlorine levels in the water tremendously. Thus, it is not a good idea to swim immediately after, as the level of chlorine in the water is too high.
There are different types of shocks for your pool. One type has chlorine, while the other does not have chlorine. Therefore, the time it takes you to use the pool after shocking it depends on the type you have used.
Can you swim in the pool after you shock it?
Indeed, you can swim after shocking it. The big question is: How soon after shocking can you take your dip in the pool?
To reiterate, the period you have to wait for the pool to swim after shocking it depends on the type of shock that you used. Let’s look at the two common types of shocks and how soon after you can swim:
How soon to swim after shocking pool with non-chlorine shock
There are many types of chlorine-free shocks. However, all of them work almost the same way. They oxidize the bacteria in the pool. It can also get rid of organic matter from the pool faster.
The main benefit of using this type of shock is that you can swim as soon as one hour after shocking the pool with chlorine-free products.
It does a fast job of cleaning the pool. You do not have to wait too long before you can swim again.
When you add this type of shock to the swimming pool, it cleans out all the organic matter, leaving your pool clean and bacteria-free. It also leaves the regular chlorine-free to do its job in a better way.
While you can use the pool soon after using the non-chlorinated shock, there are some disadvantages.
One of them is that it does not kill algae or bacteria. It will break down the organic matter, but it will not kill bacteria and algae.
What is used in non-chlorine shock?
To make the chlorine-free shock, manufacturers use potassium and oxygen. When you add it to the water, it will dissolve immediately. That is why you can swim in the same water in less than an hour.
You should follow the instructions to use the shock. Mostly, many non-chlorine shocks are supposed to be used in the ratio of 1 pound to 10,000 gallons of water.
This kind of shock has a pH level of 9, which makes it alkalic because at neutral, the pH level is 7. Any pH level that is below 7 is acidic.
This is the same pH level as the household cleaning products. Therefore, no harm can come to you if you get into the swimming pool soon after.
Because of the nature and low potency of the non-chlorine shock, you should only use it when you are dealing with murky water.
If there is an algae outbreak in your pool, this is not going to help you. It is also not going to clean out the tiles of the swimming pool.
How soon to swim after using Chlorine shock in a pool
Chlorine shock products are very popular because of their ability to break organic matter as well as kill bacteria and algae.
Chlorine shocks come in different types. However, the most important thing is to remember that you should only swim in the pool after 24 hours.
You can also check the manufacturer’s instructions on the packet of the shock to know how long you should swim in the pool.
As you can probably tell from their name, these products have chlorine as their main ingredient. They come in different types, which we will discuss briefly below:
Liquid chlorine – High pH
This one has a high pH level, so it can bleach out the tiles in the swimming pool. The benefit, on the other hand, is that the high dose of chlorine means you can use just a small amount of it and it will do a great job.
The general recommendation is to use 1 gallon of liquid chlorine in 10,000 gallons of water.
Cal-Hypo
This is a high-pH product, but it is slightly less alkalic as compared to liquid chlorine. It is available in powder form, and you should use 1 pound of Calcium Hypochlorite in 15,000 gallons of water. There are many benefits to using this pool shock product.
First, it improves the free chlorine in the water, which makes it more available. Since the chlorine used in the pool water has cyanuric acid, which protects the chlorine from damage caused by UV rays from the sun.
Secondly, you just need a low dose of it because it is very effective. If your pool lacks calcium, this is a good product because it will add some.
It is best to use it in the evening so that it works in the water during the night. You can only swim 24 hours after treating your pool with Cal-Hypo.
Lithium pool shock
Unlike liquid chlorine and cal-hypo, which can bleach vinyl surfaces, lithium will not affect them. It is fast and effective; it is great for pools with hard water; and it does not leave filtrate.
Another benefit is that it dissolves instantly in the water. After you add this pool shock, wait at least 24 hours before you can swim.
One downside of lithium shock is cost. It is costlier than the others. You also use a higher quantity for a smaller amount of water. You are supposed to use 1 pound of lithium for 8000 gallons of water.
Dichlor and Trichlor
You will get Dichlor and Trichlor pool shocks in the form of granules, sticks, tablets, or slow-release pucks. If you have serious cases of algae in your pool, you should use this product.
These two types of pool shocks are manufactured in such a way that the UV rays of the sun cannot damage the chlorine in the pool. Referred to as stabilized chlorine, they earned this name because of their ability to block UV rays.
How Long After Shocking Pool Can You Swim: FAQ
There is more chlorine in the pool than meets the eye. For instance, chlorine in a pool is classified into three categories. Free chlorine is the best form for cleaning the pool water.
Combined chlorine forms when there are not enough free chlorine levels in the pool to meet the demand. Lastly, there is total chlorine, which is the total of combined and free chlorine.
You can see just how much chlorine is used in the pool. More specifically, when there has been a rainstorm and you shock the pool to clear the muddy discoloration, you want to know how long after this you should swim.
Here are frequently asked questions and their answers to shed more light on this issue:
Does chlorine-free shock work?
If you have high levels of combined chlorine (bad-smelling Chloramines), chlorine-free shock can help lower it.
If your pool water is murky or there is organic matter, the chlorine-free shock will do a great job of breaking it. However, it does not kill bacteria or algae.
When should I use non-chlorine shock?
Use non-chlorine shock only when there is no algae or bacteria in the pool. You can use it to clear the water after a storm. Also, it can lower the quantity of combined chlorine in the pool.
How long does it take for non-chlorine shock to work?
Cheap and available in powder form, this is a fast-working pool shock. It breaks organic matter fast and after using it, you can swim in the water 15 minutes later. Some prefer to wait an hour before they can swim and that is still okay.
Can you over-shock a pool?
It is best to use the right amount of pool shock for the recommended amount of water. If you overdo it, you will kill all the algae in the pool, and you will disrupt the pH balance of the water. You could also remove the free chlorine’s ability to block UV rays.
What happens if you swim in a shocked pool?
This is going to cause serious eye and skin irritation. In some cases, it can also cause death. It is important to keep your children away from the pool when you are shocking it. Wait for at least 24 hours before swimming in the pool.
Can I shock pool in the daytime?
If you are using the non-chlorine swimming pool shock, you can do it during the day, and you can even swim 15 minutes later. If you are using chlorine shocks, do it in the evening and only swim after 24 hours.
What is the best time of day to shock a swimming pool?
Always shock your pool in the evening when you are using the chlorine shocks, because then the sun will already be going down. Therefore, its rays cannot lower the effectiveness of the chlorine product you are using.
Do I have to shock my pool every week?
Shocking a pool has so many benefits. One of them is that it maintains the pH balance in the pool. Secondly, it breaks organic matter, algae, and bacteria.
Thirdly, it clears murky water and keeps it clean. Also, shock the pool after hosting a party there, with many people having used the pool. Try to shock the pool once a week.
Will Shocking the Pool clear green water?
Algae in the pool causes the green color in the water. Therefore, the green look is the main reason why you should shock the pool.
Use chlorine shock to break the algae and bacteria in the water. The high quantity of Chlorine is very good for sanitizing the swimming pool. If you use non-chlorine shock, it is not going to break the algae.
Can you swim in a pool after you shock it?
Wrapping Up
How long after shocking the pool can you swim? You should wait 24 hours. If you are not sure, check the manufacturer’s instructions.
If you just want to break organic matter in the pool and remove the murky color, you can use the non-chlorine shock.
You can swim in the water after 15 minutes. Apply your shock during the day, since the sun does not have any effect on the shock.
Wait for 24 hours before you swim in the water if you have used chlorine shock products. At the same time, apply the product in the evening.