Can You Shock A Pool In The Rain? (Find Out Now!)

Ossiana Tepfenhart
by Ossiana Tepfenhart

When it comes to your pool’s ability to stay safe for swimming, few things are as important as water sanitation. That’s why doing regular pool shock treatments is one of the most important things that you can do for your pool. Most pool owners have a schedule they stay by. Ideally, it’s a schedule that’s filled with sunshine. But, if you live in a rainy area, you need to be aware of whether it’s smart to shock a pool in the rain.

You can always shock a pool during rainy days, even to the point of doing it while it’s raining. However, the additional rainwater can add additional contaminants that reduce the efficacy of your shock. So while it’s doable, it’s definitely not ideal and should be avoided whenever possible.

In an ideal world, we never would have to shock any type of pool in the rain. Life doesn’t work that way, though, so you need to learn to make do.

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Is It Safe To Shock A Pool In The Rain?

There is no reason why you should have any higher risk of you want to shock your pool during a bout of rain. The only issue you may have is that you may get wet or you may slip on the pool deck if you’re not careful. Ideally, you will wait until after it rains to shock your pool. This is because you will be able to clear out your pool of contaminants more effectively if they’re not being added after the fact.

Do You Need To Shock A Pool After Every Rain?

Rain does add contaminants to a pool, but it is not going to add so much that you would need to shock your pool every time it rains. That’s lunacy and may even throw your water alkalinity levels off. However, there are certain times when you might want to shock your pool post-rain sesh…

During Your Typical Routine

Most pool owners have a certain shock schedule that they try to stick to. If your pool recently got rained on and it’s close to time to shock it once more, then you might want to do it.

Something Large Fell In Your Pool

Sometimes, rain comes with heavy winds. If a bird’s nest or a large branch decided to take a swim in your pool, you’re going to want to fish out the item in question and shock your pool. Ideally, you’ll remember to cover your pool next time.

The Rain Was Outrageous And Your Pool’s Uncovered

Don’t get me wrong. Even covered pools can end up with tons of rainwater leaking in. If this is the case with your pool, then you will need to act like you had a storm in an uncovered pool too. Regardless, extremely heavy rain will require you to do a little bit more than just shock your pool…

  • Check your pool’s water levels. If your water level is above the midpoint of your skimmer, you may need to drain the pool until it’s back down to the right level.
  • Clean up the debris that fell in your pool. This includes using a net to fish out debris in your pool and also removing anything that’s caught in your pool skimmer.
  • Vacuum the bottom of the pool. Not all grit and grime will stay afloat, ya know! Before you assume your pool is cleaned, whip out the vacuum.
  • Drain your pool. You don’t have to drain all the way, but you do have to make sure that the water level reaches up to the skimmer’s midpoint.
  • Once your pool has been sufficiently drained, you can shock it. You can’t shock a pool before it’s drained. I mean, you can, but the effects will be so diluted that there will not be a guarantee that the shock will work. Adjust your water’s chemistry as needed.

How Can You Prepare Your Pool For A Major Storm?

There are several ways to make sure that your pool is good to go before a storm. These tips will keep you safe:

  • Remove all pool toys and outdoor furniture from the area. You don’t want them to get blown around.
  • Clean the pool and add algaecide. If you are expecting something like a hurricane, shocking your pool might be a good idea. It can help reduce the amount of work you need to do later.
  • Leave the pool uncovered. Most pool covers will do nothing to protect your pool from the debris that comes with a massive storm.
  • Don’t drain your pool. An empty pool is more likely to end up with more damage than it can handle. Water can cushion the impact of large branches or trees.

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Related Questions

Is it possible to get electrocuted by swimming in a pool struck by lightning?

While it is possible that you could get struck by lightning because you were swimming in a pool that was struck, it’s not likely. So far, there are no documented cases of fatal lightning strikes by proxy in a pool. Even though there are no recorded cases, you shouldn’t take a chance on it. Don’t swim in a storm!

Why did my pool turn green after a storm?

The storm’s high rate of rainfall diluted your pool. When the pool got diluted, the chemicals that keep your pool sanitary were no longer able to keep your pool sanitary. The green color you see is a buildup of both bacteria and algae, so you will need to sanitize your pool before you swim again.

Is it okay to swim in a green pool?

Technically, it should be safe for most people because algae is rarely ever allergy-triggering. However, bacteria love algae, which means that your bacterial counts will skyrocket. If this occurs, you could get seriously sick as a result of swimming in the wrong pool. The best course of action is to assume it’s not safe to swim in a green pool, even if you could technically take a chance at it.

Ossiana Tepfenhart
Ossiana Tepfenhart

Ossiana Tepfenhart is an expert writer, focusing on interior design and general home tips. Writing is her life, and it's what she does best. Her interests include art and real estate investments.

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