Just like with every other item you own, maintenance is essential for your pool. There are times you would need to treat your pool by adding chemicals to stabilize it or clarify the water. These chemicals can be a bit harsh on your body, so it’s not advisable to jump into your pool immediately. However, to learn how you can use your pool again after applying stabilizers, we advise you to read on.
When is it Safe To Use Your Pool?
When caring for your swimming pool, you will need to add some chemicals at certain times to ensure the pool is free from bacteria or other harmful agents. Some of the chemicals you include will help to increase your pool’s pH, decrease the pH level and stabilize the pool water. You may also need to add chemicals to clean the pool water, keep alkaline levels and calcium balance.
These chemicals you include are usually very toxic, and it would require a waiting period for the chemicals to resolve. You may need to wait for about 20 minutes before going into the pool. However, it would be much safer to wait for an hour, so all the chemicals would have fully dispersed and dissolved in the water.
Treating your pool is something you need to do periodically, even when you are not using it. Sometimes people want to go ahead to use the pool without waiting, but it is not advisable. The dangers of these chemicals will cause more problems for your health if you attempt them. After adding the stabilizers, you should go out or engage yourself to avoid the temptation to use your pool.
Here are the waiting times for each of the chemicals added for stability in your pool.
● pH, Alkalinity and Clarifier
When you add these balancing chemicals, you will need to wait a while before swimming. How long after adding clarifier can you swim? The straight answer will be to wait for about 20 minutes to an hour before using the pool. This time also applies when you add balancing chemicals for the alkaline and pH level of your pool.
● Calcium Chloride
You will need calcium chloride to raise the calcium hardness in your pool. After application, it would take about 2 to 4 hours before you can swim. You need to wait for at least one complete cycle through the filter to use your pool.
● Shock/Chlorine
Now, most people have asked how long after adding stabilizer can I add chlorine? You can add your chlorine an hour after stabilizing your pool. After shocking your pool, you can only get into the water when the chlorine level reaches 5ppm or preferably after 24 hours. It is safer to test the pool before getting in it.
● Muriatic Acid
When you add muriatic acid to your pool, it causes a hot spot of acid to form in your pool water. If you get inside the pool immediately, the acid will burn your skin or irritate you. You need to wait for at least 30 minutes after pouring the chemical before you can swim.
● Algaecide
Although algaecides are safe, but can you swim with algaecide in pool? Many people have done this without any problem, but it is still vital that you should wait. We advise that you stay at least 15 minutes before swimming after applying algaecide to the water.
● Flocculent
If you still have flocculent in your pool, you shouldn’t swim immediately because it will reduce its effect in the water. You can only go into the pool after the flocculent has settled and completely vacuumed.
Our Verdict
We hope this article has answered your question about “how long after adding stabilizer can I swim?”
You need to observe the waiting periods to avoid exposing yourself to harmful chemicals. If you have kids or teenagers at home, it can be challenging getting them out of the pool. The best thing to do is ensure they are out of the house when treating your pool. In case they are around, ensure that an adult remains in the area to prevent them from going into the water until it is safe.
This post was written by Anthony Allen for The Pool Industry, who specialise in swimming pool cleaning products, accessories, and supplies.
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