Why You Should Never Swim During Pool Shock
When Tyler finished shocking the pool, he figured it was safe to swim a few hours later. The water looked good—clear, no smell, no weird color. So, in went the kids.
By that evening, they were complaining about red eyes, itchy skin, and one even had nausea.
What went wrong? Tyler didn’t wait long enough.
What Does It Mean to “Shock” a Pool or Spa?
“Shocking” means adding a powerful dose of sanitizer—usually chlorine—to kill bacteria, algae, and other contaminants. It resets your sanitizer level, fights off cloudy water, and rebalances your hot tub chemicals or pool chemistry.
But during and right after the shock? That water’s not safe.
Why You Should Never Swim Right After
Shocking your pool or spa raises chemical levels—sometimes 5 to 10 times the safe swimming range. If you jump in too early, you risk:
Skin irritation
Eye and throat burning
Respiratory distress
Bleached swimwear
Chemical burns (yes, really)
So How Long Should You Wait?
It depends on the product:
Liquid chlorine or calcium hypochlorite: wait 8–24 hours.
Non-chlorine shock (potassium monopersulfate): sometimes 1–4 hours.
But don’t guess. Use a test strip. If free chlorine is above 3 ppm, it’s not swim-safe.
While You Wait, Here’s What You Can Do
Use that downtime to:
Rinse your filter compartment
Soak your hot tub filters in a proper filter cleaner
Clean your spa cover or hot tub cover
Check water temperature
Rebalance your water chemistry
Inspect for foamy water, low water flow, or signs of poor water quality
Your Pool Deserves Proper Maintenance
Skipping the wait after shock is like eating raw chicken—just because it looks fine doesn’t mean it’s safe.
At American Dream Pool & Spa Service, we help homeowners from Lincoln to Penryn keep their water clean and safe with professional pool and hot tub maintenance services on a regular basis.
Call us if you’ve got cloudy water, questions about pool shock, or just want peace of mind. Your water (and your skin) will thank you.
American Dream Pool and Spa Service is a trusted provider of pool and spa maintenance, repair, and cleaning services. They serve the areas of Lincoln, Rocklin, Roseville, Granite Bay, and Sheridan, CA, offering comprehensive care for both residential and commercial pools. Their services include everything from routine maintenance to specialized repairs for pool and spa equipment, ensuring that every pool owner enjoys a clean, safe, and well-maintained pool or spa throughout the year. With a focus on customer satisfaction, American Dream Pool and Spa Service strives to keep pools in top condition, regardless of the season.
