Summer days call for time spent in or near the pool. And as any pool owner knows, regular water care and maintenance is key to keeping your pool sparkling clean. But what happens if you and your family are ready for a swim, but you forgot to add chemicals the night before? Can you still swim? Do you need to wait until the next day? Use this guide if you’re asking yourself, “How long should I wait to swim after adding chemicals?”
General Rule of Thumb
When adding any chemicals to your pool, it’s recommended that you follow the guidelines provided by the manufacturer. To ensure that the levels are safe, it’s always a good idea to retest the water before getting back into the pool.
The Specifics
It would be great if there was a one size fits all rule for how long to wait to swim after adding chemicals. The fact of the matter is, it varies depending on the chemical used.
Every pool owner knows there are multiple chemicals used to properly care for your pool. Each one has its own makeup that contributes to how long it needs to disperse in the water. Use the guidelines below to determine when you and your family can safely swim.
- pH, Clarifier, Alkalinity — For these types of water-balancing chemicals, it’s suggested that you wait at least 20 minutes before you get into the water.
- 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.
- Liquid chlorine — In general, it’s a good idea to wait at least four hours after putting liquid chlorine in the pool. The size of your pool and the amount of chlorine added does play a factor in this, too. Once your levels reach 5 ppm or lower, you’re ready to swim.
- Calcium chloride — From the time you put calcium chloride in the water, wait one cycle of the filter, or about two to four hours.
- Algaecide — For algaecides it’s best to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines. For some algaecides, it’s safe to swim within twenty minutes of adding it to your pool. Others require a longer wait time, so be sure to read the instructions.
Call the Fiberglass Pool Professionals
With this guide, you’ll be a pro at knowing when it’s safe to swim after adding chemicals to your pool. Summer is just around the bend, so if you’re looking to add a pool to your yard or upgrade your existing pool, now is your chance!
If you’re ready to have a beautiful fiberglass pool of your own, call the professionals at Narellan Pools. For nearly 50 years, we’ve provided exceptional and knowledgeable advice to our clients around the world. We can’t wait to help you make your pool dreams a reality, too. Give us a call today at 1-888-342-7665 for more information or request your free quote. Your beautiful oasis awaits.