Swimming pool safe to swim?
by Jamie
We are housesitting and are not familiar with swimming pool maintenance. We were instructed to put 2 gallons of chlorine (chlorinating liquid) into the pool last night while the filter was running. The filter had already been run (on a timer) before we poured the liquid in and we didn't know how to turn the filter back on. We poured the liquid in without running the filter. The filter was set to run again this AM at 7am. Is it safe to go in the pool today? Thanks. Jamie Thanks for your question Jamie In order to be sure if the pool is safe to swim in, you need to first allow the water to fully circulate. This normally takes about 10 hours. Then you can test the chlorine. Ideal range is between 1.5ppm - 3.5ppm but if it's slightly a bit higher, maybe around 5ppm, it should be safe to swim in. Be sure the filter is running the next time you add any chemicals. Chlorine is heavier than water and will sink right to the bottom and might cause staining. Hope this helps Robert Question: Pool Protect Date: August 6, 2011 We just filled our new pool and added Pool Protect to get rid of any minerals and stains from the water. How long must we wait before we can swim in the pool? Answer By: Robert Date: August 6, 2011 Thanks for the question I would first ask why did you use Pool Protect? Do you have high metals in the pool and high calcium hardness? I just want to be sure you're not using a product that you really don't need. I'd like to have your complete chemical readings: Chlorine, CYA (cyanuric acid/stabilizer), pH, Alkalinity, Calcium Hardness, and Metals (iron and copper). You can get this done at your local pool store or use a good water test kit. Pool Water Testing Water Testing Kit A metal sequestrant does not remove metal from pool water. It holds it in solution until it can get filtered. Then you backwash the metal out. Because metal sequestrants break down over time and get filtered and backwashed out, you need to weekly dose your pool if you have high iron and copper. Metal sequestrants that are based on HEDP, phosphonic acid or something similar are the most effective. Jack's Magic Blue, Purple, and Pink Pink Stuff, Metal Magic, Metal Free, & Metal Klear are very good. Get your pool water tested for metals, and all of the other readings as well, to confirm. To answer your question, you would want to wait at least 2 hours before swimming after adding any chemicals. Some might say you can swim as early as 30 minutes, but I've always been cautious. Hope this helps and have a great Summer. Robert |
