After you shock your pool, good filtration is key and oddly enough, so is knowing when and how long to backwash your pool. In addition to your robot pool cleaner, pool vacuum, or skimmer, backwashing helps get rid of debris and contaminants to ensure your system functions properly.
Let’s discuss what to do after shocking and the role a pool cleaning robot plays in this critical maintenance.
Here’s Why You Need to Backwash After a Shock
When you shock your pool, you kill bacteria, algae and organic contaminants. When dead, those contaminants frequently gum up your filter. Enter the backwash, which reverses the water flow through your filter and flushes out the waste helping your system run more efficiently.
You’ll want to backwash your pool for 2-3 minutes immediately after shocking, or until the waste water runs clear. This is particularly crucial if when you filter pressure gauge measures 8–10 psi above the clean baseline.
How to Help After Shocking with Your Robot Pool Cleaner
While backwashing is flushing the filter clean your robotic pool cleaner such as the Beatbot AquaSense 2 Ultra, Beatbot AquaSense 2 Pro, or Beatbot AquaSense 2 can assist with pool surface debris and algae. These smart vacuums are simple to use, they take some of the work away from you, and they pick up fine particles, algae remnants, and leaves stirred up by shock treatments.
It’s especially ideal for you if you have to deal with a massive build up of algae or biofilm. If you use a pool vacuum robot or wall climbing pool cleaner, you don’t have to worry about dirt returning to your pool floor.
Other Post-Shock Cleanup Tips
- Skim the pool Use a Skimmer: skim the pool before or after shocking.
- Operate the Filter: Operate the filter system for at least 8–12 hours.
- Brush the Walls and Floor of the Pool: Particularly if there is algae.
- Clean The Remaining Debris With A Vacuum: You can accommodate a pool vacuum or let your pool robot do the job.
- Clean or Replace the Filter: Check your filter after a few backwashes.
If the shock was algae-based, perhaps you might consider a pool vacuum for algae or check out some acid wash pool tips to experience a more intense clean. If your water system needs draining, also see how to drain an inground pool without a pump.
Can a Pool Robot Remove Algae?
Can a pool robot pick up algae? MiddleLeft.InnerTextSo, lots of swimming pool owners wonder: Does a pool robot pick up algae? Yes—but only dead algae. Robotic cleaning after shocking, you see, is why shocking first is best. Tools such as a Maytronics pool cleaner or the Beatbot series are great for cleaning the dirt post-sanitisation.
Don’t miss watching your pool booster pump pressure before and after backwashing. This will ensure that your filter operates at maximum efficiency and that you won’t have any future problems.
Conclusion
The duration you should backwash after shocking a pool — about 2-3 minutes, or until your backwash water runs clear is a small yet important aspect in pool care. Combine the convenience of an automatic robot pool cleaner with thorough backwashing and filtration to ensure your pool remains crystal clear for swimming, with brands like Beatbot (see AquaSense 2 Ultra, AquaSense 2 Pro, and AquaSense 2) cleaning up even after a shock and keeping your pool enviably clear.
