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How Long Should You Wait to Swim After Adding Chemicals to a Pool?
There’s nothing better than a refreshing dip in the pool, so we don’t blame you if you want to spend every spare minute in the water and make the most of the swimming season! And while it can be tempting to jump straight back in just after you’ve added a new dose of chemicals, there are some general guidelines we recommend following when it comes to how long you should wait before it’s safe to get back into the water.
No matter which swimming pool chemicals you’re using, you should always pay careful attention to the manufacturer’s instructions outlined on the products’ packaging. Not only will this provide guidance on the safe chemical dosages, but you’ll also see the recommended minimal time you should wait before getting back into the water after chemicals have been added.
Your swimming pool chemicals need a chance to disperse throughout your entire pool system to ensure every inch of it is properly treated. They need time to start working, and your water should reach the correct levels and chemical balance before swimming is totally safe again.
If the chemicals are too concentrated or improperly balanced, and you start swimming again before the time is right, you risk skin and eye irritation.
This will depend on which chemicals you’re adding. Naturally, stronger products with higher concentrations will require a longer wait time. Again, always refer to the manufacturer’s instructions, but the below can be thought of as a general guideline.
If you’re adding any of the following swimming pool chemicals or water treatments, you should wait at least 20-30 minutes before getting back into the water:
It can be a good idea to wait a bit longer than the recommended minimum time and hold off swimming for up to an hour to ensure these chemicals are properly dissolved and dispersed. If in doubt, wait an hour and then test your water balance to see if the levels are where they should be.
When it comes to chlorine, you’ll have to wait longer before swimming because this chemical is more concentrated. 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.
Shocking your pool refers to when you add a stronger concentration of chlorine (or non-chlorine shock) to rapidly increase your sanitising chemicals’ levels. While this does a great job at eradicating algae and chloramines, you don’t want to swim in super chlorinated water straight away.
When using chlorine shocks, you should wait at least 24 hours before swimming. Non-chlorine shocks will usually allow for a shorter wait time.
After waiting for the requisite time, check your chlorine levels. If the reading is under 5 ppm, it is safe to start swimming again; the ideal range is 1-3 ppm.
It’s often best to first shock your pool in the evening as the sun can degrade the product more rapidly. This is, however, less of an issue if you’re using stabilised chlorine shock, as the stabilising cyanuric acid will help protect the chlorine.
It’s important to regularly test your pool water to establish the current chemical levels, especially after you’ve added a new round of water treatments. This is a relatively simple process and can be done with easy-to-use swimming pool test strips of other testing kits.
Not sure exactly what you should be looking for? Check out our guide on how to balance your pool water for a better understanding of the ideal chemical ranges and the levels you should be testing.
If you’re unsure whether you’ve waited long enough before it’s okay to get back into the water, double-check the timings outlined by the manufacturer of your chemicals and test your water again to see if the levels are suitable.
Ultimately, properly maintaining your chemicals is an essential part of owning a pool, so you should remain diligent about using them in line with all the recommended guidelines. With a good understanding of pool chemical dosage and usage, you can get back to swimming in pristine water in no time.
We stock a range of premium pool chemicals to help you stay on top of your maintenance routine. Whether you need to stock up on chlorine tablets or any other essentials, we’ve got you covered.
