All pool owners understand that regular water care and maintenance, chemical balancing, stain prevention, equipment checkup, filter maintenance, and vacuuming are vital to keeping your pool clean and in proper working order. However, there are varying pool cleaning methods and chemicals that make you wonder how long you should wait before using the pool.
How Long Should You Wait to Swim After Cleaning Your Pool?
The General Rule of Thumb
Generally, you should follow the manufacturer’s guidelines when cleaning your pool. These guidelines include how long you have to wait before using your pool after cleaning it. Additionally, you should ensure that the levels are safe by resetting the water before using the pool. However, the best route to take instead of doing it yourself would be to contact a professional pool cleaner service in Windermere to come out and reset the water.
The Specifics
It would be awesome if there were a specific period to wait before using the pool after cleaning it. However, the waiting time varies depending on which chemicals you use. All pool owners understand that they use several chemicals to clean their pool, and each chemical has its properties contributing to the time it takes to disperse in water.
Read these guidelines for more information on determining when your family can safely swim.
Clarifier, pH, Alkalinity
Professionals suggest that pool owners wait 20 minutes before using the pool when using these types of balancing chemicals.
Liquid Chlorine
It would help to wait at least four hours to use your pool when using liquid chlorine. However, your pool size and amount of chlorine used greatly affect how long you’ll have to wait. Before using it, you should test the pool and ensure the chlorine levels reach 5ppm or lower.
Calcium Chloride
You should wait for one filter cycle before using the pool when cleaning it with calcium chloride. This could take between two to four hours.
Algaecide
You should follow the manufacturer’s guidelines when using an algaecide. It’s safe to use the pool after 20 minutes when using some algaecides; however, others may require more time. Thus, it would help to stay safe by reading the manufacturer’s instructions before using the pool.
What is Shocking a Pool?
Shocking, the pool kills and prevents the growth of bacteria and algae. When shocking your pool, the main chemicals are sodium dichlor, calcium hypochlorite, and potassium monopersulfate. The chemicals used to determine how long pool owners have to wait before swimming.
When Should You Use the Pool After Shocking It?
When shocking your pool, you should get into the pool after the chlorine levels reach 5ppm. Additionally, according to the CDC, the pool’s pH should be between 7.2 and 7.8. The time you have to wait after getting into the pool may last between 24 hours to a couple of days, depending on the type of shock you use.
What Happens If You Use the Pool Too Soon?
You’ll experience a few issues if you use the pool too soon after shocking it. Chlorine reacts with water to form hydrochloric acid, which is corrosive. The effects experienced depend on whether you’ll inhale the fumes or whether they get in contact with your eyes or skin.
Minimal effects include dry skin; however, they could cause a flare if you have various skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema. You may also experience redness, blisters, pain, and burning.
Additionally, the water can harm your lungs and eyes when inhaled. Effects of eye contact include redness, pain, watery eyes, and blurred vision. The effects of inhaling the chemicals are more severe. They include chest tightness, shortness of breath, fluid in the lungs, and wheezing. Additionally, you can throw up and feel nauseous if you drink the pool water.
Most of the effects are reversible. It would help to get out of the pool when you notice these symptoms. You should move to a place with fresh air and remove all exposed clothing. It would help to wash all infected areas with water and soap. You should rinse your eyes with saline solution.
Conclusion
Getting in a pool after cleaning it can be dangerous, especially if you don’t know how to do it. The best step to take is to call professional cleaners. However, these guidelines can help provide you with a rough estimate of how long you’ll have to wait.
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