When Should I Shock My Pool?

If you’ve ever gone for a dip in a pool that’s been neglected for too long, you know how unpleasant it can be. The water is usually cloudy, the smell is less than inviting, and you can feel the grime on your skin as soon as you get in. Yuck! 

Thankfully, there’s an easy way to avoid this scenario—shock treatment for pools!

Shocking your pool essentially means increasing the chlorine levels to a point where it can kill off the bacteria and other nasties that have built up in the water over time. It’s something you should do at least once a month, and more often if you have a lot of people using your pool on a regular basis or if it’s a high-usage pool season.

Being that there are so many factors that can influence the timing of when a pool should be shocked, people frequently wonder how often to shock the pool in summer. In this post, we’ll dive into the information you need when it comes to shocking your pool, including when to do it and how to get the most out of the process. 

Important Times for Shock Treatments

There are a few different factors that will affect how often you need to shock your pool. One is the time of year–during peak swimming season (usually late spring through early fall), you’ll probably need to shock your pool every week, or at least every two weeks, due to increased usage.

Another factor is the weather. If it’s been particularly hot or rainy, this can affect how often you need to shock your pool. 

Finally, if you have a lot of people using your pool on a regular basis (e.g., you host regular parties or events at your home), you’ll want to shock more frequently. In addition, if your pH levels are outside their normal range, shocking your pool may be a good idea as well.

As a general rule of thumb, though, aim to shock your pool at least twice a month. This will help ensure that the water stays clean and bacteria-free, all season long!

Why You Should Shock Your Pool

There are a few reasons why shocking your pool is so important. For one thing, it gets rid of all the gunk that can accumulate in the water over time, including sweat, sunscreen, dirt, leaves, and anything else that might make its way into the pool.

In addition to making your pool look and smell fresher, shocking kills off any harmful bacteria that could potentially make swimmers sick. This is especially important if you have young children or elderly family members who use the pool regularly because they tend to be more susceptible to illness.

Finally, shocking your pool helps to maintain pH levels and prevent algae growth.

How to Shock a Pool

You’ll want to test both the pH levels and chlorine levels before adding any chemicals. Simply dip a strip from a test kit into the water and compare the colors on the strip with those on the chart included in the package—it’s really that simple!

The easiest way to shock your pool is to use a floater. Fill it up with chlorine tablets according to the directions on the package and toss it into your pool. Let it do its thing until the chlorine dissolves completely. Make sure you know how long to wait after shocking the pool before using it again.

Make Pool Shocking a Regular Part of Your Maintenance Routine

Shocking your pool is an important part of keeping it clean and safe for swimming. It helps to remove dirt, kill off harmful bacteria, maintain pH levels, and prevent algae growth. To optimize the benefits of shocking your pool, be sure to test the water regularly, use an algaecide when necessary, run the filter continuously, and wait twenty-four hours after shocking before using the pool again. 

With these tips in mind—and by following a regular schedule of shock treatments throughout peak swimming season—you can enjoy crystal-clear waters all summer long!