Your pool chemistry refers to your pool water’s pH and the balance of chemicals. Getting everything just right ensures you have clean, safe water.
While it might seem intimidating at first, it’s actually much easier to check these numbers than you might think.
When done regularly, your water stays clearer and more sanitary. Plus, you get a heads up on any contaminants before they have a chance to cause any problems.
How Often To Check
There are four rules to remember for how often to check your pool chemistry. Following these rules keeps your water consistently safe and prevents small imbalances from becoming expensive problems.
It doesn't take long at all for your numbers to change. Between Mother Nature and people swimming in the pool, the water is easily contaminated. The chemicals you add to balance things out fade away over time.
If you're hosting a big pool party on the weekend, check the pool chemistry the next day. Body oils, sunscreen, sweat, and other contaminants from swimmers can throw off your chemical balance quickly.
This ensures everything is balanced the way it should be. Waiting a day gives the chemicals time to spread throughout the pool water so you get an accurate reading.
Since rainwater is entering your pool, you'll need to check the chemistry to re-balance the pool water. Rain is naturally acidic and can lower your pH significantly — especially important here in Hawaii where sudden downpours are common.
Types Of Tests
There are four main types of tests you can use — liquid, test strips, digital and samples you take to your area pool store, if available.
If you want to handle everything yourself, you’ll be using one of the first three. The fourth just involves taking a sample directly to your pool store to be tested professionally.
Liquid Test Kits
Add drops of testing solution to a water sample and compare the color against a chart. These kits usually test for both pH and chlorine. Darker colors mean higher numbers and vice versa.
Test Strips
The easiest method — no measuring drops. Simply dip a test strip into your sample quickly and wait about 15 seconds to see the results. The strips come with a color guide to tell you what the colors mean.
Digital Testers
Work much like test strips, but in a digital format. They are more expensive, but they're usually more accurate and eliminate the guesswork of color-matching.
Professional testing is the fourth option. If you have a local pool store in your area, you can collect a sample and have the store test it. This offers the most accurate results and is a good way to periodically verify your at-home testing. Professional tests typically cost $20–$50 per visit.
Getting A Good Sample
The first step for any of these tests is to get a good sample to test. Simply testing the water closest to the edge you’re standing at won’t work. For the best results, you need to test the water in the center of the pool. However, if you can’t do the middle, reach out as far as possible.
Use a bottle or cup to collect a sample of the water. Dip it in as far as possible to ensure you’re getting a sample from inside the pool and not just on the top. Try to stay away from the skimmer and filter area as this can skew your results.
These tests typically test for pH, chlorine and alkalinity. You can buy special tests for things like copper, iron and salt (for saltwater pools).
Ideal Pool Chemistry Numbers
So, you’ve tested the pool chemistry, but what do those numbers and colors mean? Crystal clear pool water means getting your numbers as close to the following ideal numbers as possible:
pH is the single most important number to watch. When pH drifts above 7.8, chlorine loses up to half its sanitizing power — meaning you're paying for chemicals that aren't doing their job. When it drops below 7.2, the water becomes corrosive and irritating to skin and eyes.
If your numbers fall outside these ideal ranges, you run the risk of dirty water and even damage to your pool. Testing your pool chemistry is one of the easiest ways to maintain your pool and it only takes a few minutes each week — and that includes adding chemicals to balance the water.
Not Sure What Your Numbers Mean?
Let the experts help. Koko Head Pool Service provides professional water testing and chemical balancing for pools across East Honolulu.
Get a Free QuoteIf you’re not sure what all the numbers mean or how to balance the water for a clean, safe pool, let the experts help. Get a quote today for pool testing and cleaning services.