Testing pool water is crucial for maintaining a safe and healthy swimming environment. Weekly testing and maintenance of chemicals like chlorine, stabilizer, pH, and alkalinity ensure that the water is comfortable for swimming and doesn’t irritate the skin or eyes. Proper chemical levels also protect the pool’s equipment and surfaces from damage caused by corrosion or scaling. By routinely testing and adjusting the water’s chemistry, pool owners can extend the lifespan of their pool and ensure a safe, enjoyable swimming experience for everyone.

Test Strips

Pool test strips are the easiest and quickest way to test your pool water. These strips consist of a piece of plastic with small pads that change color based on how much of a certain chemical is in your pool water. It’s recommended that you get a test strip that measures chlorine or bromine, stabilizer, pH, and alkalinity. To use a test strip, take one strip and dip it into the water preferably away from any of the jets in the pool. Wait about 15 seconds for the pads to fully react and change color. Then compare the colors on the pads to the color chart on the container of the test strips. Finally, adjust the chemical levels if needed.

Test Kits

Test kits are a bit more difficult to use when compared to test strips, however, they can be more accurate. Test kits consist of a test tube or a comparator to collect the water, various reagents for each chemical to be tested, and a chart to compare colors. To use the test kit, fill the tube or comparator with water, preferably away from any of the jets in the pool. Next, add the reagent to the water for the chemical that you are testing for. Then, invert the tube/comparator to mix the water and reagent. Wait, then compare the color of the water to the color chart to determine the chemical level in the water. These steps need to be repeated for each chemical you are testing for.

Water Samples

Most pool stores will offer free water sample testing using a digital tester. This will give you a report with the chemicals you need to adjust your pool’s chemistry. They may also provide you with the specific amount of chemicals you need if you give the size of your pool. To do this, fill either a water bottle or the container the pool store may provide you with water and take it to your local pool store.

Conclusion

Now that you know the methods you can use to test your pool’s water chemistry, which ones should you use? 

Although test strips are not as accurate as test kits and water samples, they are more convenient, have instant results, are easier to use, and are cheaper than the kits. Despite the drawbacks of the accuracy, test strips are still accurate enough to measure your pool chemicals and keep them at the proper levels. Testing your pool water weekly for common chemicals using test strips will ensure you have clean and safe pool water. Additional testing with water samples will also help monitor the less common chemicals in your water.