Cara's Pool School

Since there are several different shock treatments available, wait times before swimming can vary. For shock applications that utilize high chlorine treatments, it is recommended to wait until the tested Free Chlorine levels are at or below 5 ppm. If you're using a non-chlorine treatment to shock, swimming can usually resume in as little as 15 minutes.

Most typical floaters are designed to be filled to capacity, as the amount of chlorine making its way into the water is gauged by adjustable vents or slots on the floater's outer casing. Free Chlorine should generally maintained between 1.5 and 3.0 ppm. Since the amount of chlorine needed is directly associated with demand based on weather conditions, bather load, and current chlorine levels, it's almost impossible to offer specifics for dosing needs. If you're unsure about your condition or application, it's probably best to consult with your local and trusted pool professional for a full water analysis and recommendation.

A temporary drain and refill is acceptable during the winter. However, leaving a pool drained for any prolonged period of time could lead to drying out, cracking (plaster), or even structural shifting because of the void left from the absence of the water's weight on the shell.

Pool water level is directly associated with the the point of suction that leads to the pump and equipment. Most typically, the skimmer is the primary point of suction; so keeping the water level about midway above the base of the skimmer opening tends to be the easiest visual. No matter the suction point, it is imperative to ensure that water flows freely and unobstructed into the opening in order to ensure that air is not introduced into the system.

It's recommended to drain when TDS (total Dissolved Solids) levels reach or exceed about 2000 - 2500 ppm, or roughly 1500 ppm more than fresh-fill. Other reasons, such as high CYA levels or other concerns, may require draining on an as-needed basis.