Imagine coming home from work and you notice that something doesn’t look right with your pool. After further investigation, your pool pump has stopped working. Due to this mechanical breakdown, your pool is turning green and will need some additional chemicals. Once you have replaced your pool motor and gotten everything back on track you will need to shock your pool. How long after you shock a pool can you swim? Typically, you should wait 24 hours to swim. However, in some cases, you can swim sooner.
Let’s take a look below at what some of the health and safety recommendations might be.
What Is Shock?
There are a variety of chemicals that can be present in your shock. The types of chemicals most often found in your shock are lithium hypochlorite, potassium peroxymonosulfate, calcium hypochlorite, and dichlor. Also, shocking your pool is necessary to rebalance the water chemistry and allow your chlorine to work effectively. Boosting your free chlorine by shocking your pool enhances the chlorine opportunity to kill bacteria and algae that is present in the water.
How Long Before I Can Swim?
Maintaining the water chemistry of your swimming pool or spa can be rather challenging. The outdoor environmental changes can cause your water chemistry to instantly change. Always avoid swimming in a pool at least 24 hours after you have shocked the pool. Also, test your water chemistry for a pH level as well as free chorine. Consequently, the Center for Disease Control recommends a pH range of 7.2 to 7.8 and a free chlorine reading of 1.0 to 4.0 ppm (parts per million).
How Much Does It Cost?
Shocking a pool can be rather inexpensive. It all depends on how much shock is needed based on the current water chemistry. Also, the size of the pool in water per gallon is a determining factor for how much you will spend to get the water chemistry balanced. In most cases, you are going to spend $35 to $65 for shock. This includes anywhere from 4 to 7 bags of granular shock.
Other Recommended Maintenance
Now that you have an idea of how long you should wait before swimming in a pool that has been shocked, you can look into whether or not you can swim in a green pool. There are various answers to that question, so read up before jumping into a green pool.
Next, if you happen to have a water chemistry issue and notice that your water levels are dropping, it is possible that you have a leaking pool pump. Inspect your pool equipment to ensure that there are no leaks and determine what your next solution might be.
Lastly, if you have a metal roof and want to keep the snow from sliding off and onto your winterized swimming pool or spa you will want to read up on the best ways to prevent this. Installing the proper equipment on your metal roof can save you the stress of having your winterize pool take on the extra snow weight.
When Do I Call A Professional?
Dealing with a swimming pool or spa requires you to have knowledge of best practices. Water chemistry is key for keeping you and your family safe and healthy while using your pool or spa. Consider reaching out to your local home inspection team for a swimming pool and spa inspection. They can determine the longevity of your equipment and recommend any equipment changes before they break down. Also, they can recommend a reputable swimming pool maintenance and service company to assist with your water chemistry needs.
Conclusion
When you add shock to your pool it is typically due to a lack of chlorine in your water chemistry. Adding shock will boost your pool’s sterility and kill the bacteria that are growing at will. Keeping your chemicals balanced is key. Consequently, this ensures that you and your family can swim with no concerns. Reach out to your local home inspection team to assist with your pool maintenance and inspection of your equipment. Reach out to House Inspection Associates to conduct a full swimming pool and spa inspection in the Virginia, D.C., and Maryland areas.
