Do I need to shock my above ground pool?

Every pool is different, and pools don't need to be shocked, unless they need to be shocked – to remove bacteria, algae, chloramines or other contaminants, or to help clear cloudy pool water or some other water problem.

When should I add shock to my above ground pool?

The ideal time to shock your pool is in the evening after all swimming is complete. In the evening because the sun will not be boiling the chlorine out of your pool, and after everyone is done swimming because shocking is going to bring the chlorine level up to a level that may be irritating to skin and eyes.

What happens if you don't shock your pool?

Try to reach the breakpoint every time you shock your pool. Not hitting the breakpoint can result in even more chloramines in your pool, and if the chloramine levels continue to rise unchecked, you may eventually have to partially or even fully replace your water to fix the issue.

Is chlorine the same as shock?

Chlorine is a sanitizer, and (unless you use Baquacil products) is necessary for maintaining a clear and healthy pool. Shock is chlorine, in a high dose, meant to shock your pool and raise the chlorine level quickly.

What chemicals are needed for a new above ground pool?

How Often Should You SHOCK Your POOL? | Swim University

How long can water sit in pool without chlorine?

If you are not adding chlorine to kill bacteria, drain the pool every other day. Stagnant water without chlorine can become unhealthy water in as little as 24-48 hours.

How do you treat a new above ground pool?

How do I shock my pool for the first time?

How many hours should you wait to swim after shocking a pool?

In general, it's recommended that you wait up to 24 hours to hop into a pool after it's been shocked, depending on the size of the pool, Alan says.

How soon can I swim after shocking pool?

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.

How often should I shock my Intex pool?

We recommend shocking Intex pools every week, especially if you're having a heat wave or heavy rains. Heat and excess water can knock your chlorine levels to sub-par levels pretty quickly. Use a pool shock with a decent amount of available chlorine, and run your filtration system after you shock your pool.

Should I brush pool before shocking?

Before you start pouring shock in the pool, the first step is to brush the sides and floor of your pool to loosen all the algae. Doing this breaks the skin and allows the pool shock to more easily kill the algae. Once you've done this, it is important to make sure you have the proper pH level in your water.

How often should you change the water in an above ground pool?

Generally, pool water needs to be replaced once every five to seven years. This should be done during mild weather so that your pool surface is not at risk from strong sunlight and heat. Your pool maintenance company can recommend when it is time to drain your pool.

How much chlorine do I put in my above ground pool?

It's recommended you add a gallon of liquid chlorine or pound of granular chlorine for every 5,000 gallons of water in the pool. You can also add more chlorine at the end of the opening process.

Is it OK to swim in a pool without chemicals?

Even from a health standpoint, it is simply not safe to operate a pool without some added “chemicals” to combat bacteria and contaminants in the water. A pool without chemicals is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria, viruses, and parasites.

Can you shock pool without pump running?

It's pointless to shock a pool that doesn't have a functional pump. Even if it succeeds, your pool will get filled with algae after only a few days. It's a big job to get all the chemicals to mix evenly without using a pump. Using a leaf net or a pole, manually apply chlorine and mix the water.

Should I run my above ground pool pump 24 7?

How Long Should I Run My Pool Pump For? Ideally, you should run your pump for 24 hours a day, but we know that's unrealistic (and pricey), so let's look for an answer that keeps your pool clean and your wallet full. Generally running your pool pump for 12-hours a day is a good option.

What chemicals should I balance first in my pool?

Total Alkalinity (TA) is the first thing you should balance in your pool water. TA refers to the amount of alkaline material in the water. And since alkaline is a pH stabilizer, the number of alkaline substances in water will affect the pH balance. The ideal Total Alkalinity range for pool water is 80 – 120 ppm.

What can I use instead of shock for pool?

Common unscented household bleach (sodium hypochlorite) works well to shock a pool.

Can you over shock a pool?

Can you put too much shock in a pool? SKIMMER NOTES: It's unlikely but it could happen. It would take a lot of shock to really make the water unsafe for swimming. The best way to make sure you're safe to swim is to test your pool water and make sure free chlorine levels are between 1-4ppm for healthy swimming.

Is shock better than liquid chlorine?

Liquid chlorine is generally less costly than granular shock and comes in refillable containers, where granular shock does not. Liquid chlorine does not need to dissolve in your water as it is already in liquid form. In addition, liquid chlorine is non-scaling and leaves no residue.