A pool maintenance must, testing is essential for perfect pool chemistry. Use test strips, liquid kits or digital testers to monitor your water’s balance, monitoring the pH, alkalinity, chlorine level and calcium hardness. Knowing your pool’s chemical levels through regular testing allows you to execute proper maintenance and keep a healthy pool.
If you would like more detailed information about testing, check out our Clarifiers Buyer’s Guide and FAQ focused on it.
Pool balancing refers to maintaining the appropriate levels of chemicals and readings in your pool. When the pH, alkalinity, or other factors deviate from the recommended range, your pool is considered unbalanced. The consequences of an imbalanced pool can be dangerous to both yourself and your pool's equipment. Regular monitoring and adjustment of chemical levels are crucial to keep your pool in balance.
To ensure optimal conditions, it is recommended to test your pool water for chlorine, pH, and total alkalinity levels two to three times a week. After heavy rainfall, it is important to check the chemical levels, as rain can affect pool balance. Testing for calcium hardness should be done monthly, while testing for metals should be conducted every three to four months, or more frequently if previous metal-related issues have occurred. Additionally, it is advisable to test the water after making any adjustments to assess its effectiveness. For instance, if you added a pH-increasing chemical, you should check whether it raised the pH to the desired level. Allow a few hours for the chemicals to circulate and take effect before conducting the test.
Regardless of the method you use, it is essential to follow the instructions provided for water collection and color matching. Test kit strips and digital readers require simple dipping into the water and reading the results. With test kits, you will need to collect water and add dye before obtaining a reading.