Is it nearly 12 hours since you shocked the pool and now you are curious to know if you can swim or not? Well, it’s understandable as swimming is such a fun and refreshing activity. If you jump into the pool before the suggested waiting period is over, your skin may come into contact with concentrated pool chemicals.
This would potentially lead to skin irritation or discomfort. It’s important to give the chemicals enough time to disperse and the water to balance out properly before taking a dip.
Now let’s not beat about the bush and answer your question.
Can You Swim 12 Hours After Shocking the Pool?
No, it is not recommended to go swimming 12 hours after chlorine shock. The pool is generally safe to swim after 24 hours of the shock treatment. So, you should stay out of it for the same time. After a good 24 hours, you have to test the chlorine and pH.
If it’s 3 ppm or less, you can test it through a chemical test kit. You can dive straight in and have a refreshing swim.
Chlorine-free shocks are a different case. With those, you can dive in after just 15 minutes. Chlorine-free shocks typically require less time as they contain alternative chemicals that sanitize the pool water faster.
These chemicals treat the water immediately and make it safe for swimming in a shorter period.
Factors that Affect the Waiting Time After Shock Treatment
It is not always strict 24 hours or 15 minutes. There are a few factors that affect the waiting time after shock treatment.
Type of shock
There are two different types of shock; chlorine-free and chlorine shock. As stated above, the chlorine-free shock takes less time to do its job. Therefore, you normally have to wait less than 24 hours. In the other case, it can be 24 hours or sometimes an hour or so more as well.
Pool size and volume
The size and volume of the pool also influence the waiting time to some extent. It’s a no-brainer that larger pools take longer for the chemicals to disperse and the water to balance out properly.
Water temperature
Water temperature can affect the chemical dispersion. Warm water facilitates chemical reactions more quickly than cold ones. Therefore, if the water is warmer, it will take less time for the shock chemicals to dissipate for sure. How little time it would require can not be told, you have to check yourself using a chemical test kit.
Environmental conditions
There are a few factors such as sunlight, humidity, and wind that interfere with evaporation and dispersal of pool chemicals. Therefore, in some weather conditions, the waiting time gets adjusted accordingly.
Manufacturer’s instructions
The pool shock product also comes with the manufacturer’s instructions. It usually gives guidance on the waiting period as well. If the manufacturer suggests you wait longer than 24 hours or 15 minutes, you have to follow it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do you have to stay out of the pool after a shock?
In the case of chlorine shock, 24 hours. Whereas the waiting period for chlorine-free shock is comparatively shorter, it’s 15 minutes.
How long after you shock a pool can you swim again?
You can swim after 24 hours of shocking a pool. However, if you have used a chlorine-free shock, you can swim after 15 minutes.
Do you have to wait 24 hours after shocking the pool?
Yes, you have to wait 24 hours to swim as the chemicals need time to disperse and balance out water.
What happens if I swim in a shocked pool?
If you swim in a shocked pool you would face pulmonary difficulties due to breathing in chlorine vapor. Moreover, you can also experience skin irritation due to exposure to harsh chemicals.
