How long after adding alkalinity can you swim

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.

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How Long Do I Have To Wait To Swim After Adding Pool Chemicals?

How Long Do I Have To Wait To Swim After Adding Pool Chemicals?

You may have asked at some point, "How soon can you swim after adding chlorine?" or "How long do I need to wait between adding pool chemicals?"

No matter which type of pool chemical you're dealing with, it's always recommended to carefully read and follow the instructions listed on the product label. This label will include helpful safety and handling information, including recommended wait times before jumping back in the pool to swim. In general, the following recommendations apply to most swimming pools:

After Adding pH, Alkalinity and Clarifier
It is recommended to wait at least 20 minutes to an hour after adding water balancing chemicals.

After Adding Calcium Chloride to Raise Calcium Hardness
You should wait 2–4 hours (or one full cycle through the filter) to swim from the moment you use calcium chloride in your pool.

After Shocking Your Pool
It is safe to swim once your chlorine levels are around 5 ppm or after 24 hours. It is always best to test first!

After Adding Muriatic Acid
Muriatic acid can create a hot spot of acid in the water that could potentially burn or irritate your skin. It is best to wait 30 minutes after adding it to your pool.

After Adding Algaecide
We recommend waiting at least 15 minutes to swim after adding algaecide to your swimming pool. Most algaecides are perfectly safe to swim with.

After Adding Floc
It is not recommended to swim with flocculent in your pool, as it will reduce its effectiveness. Swim only after the floc has settled to the bottom of the pool and been vacuumed to waste.

Liquid Chlorine
Depending on how much you have added and the size of your pool, it is generally safe to wait about 4 hours after adding liquid chlorine or until levels reach 5 ppm or lower.

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