How Often Should You Test Pool Water?
Now that summer is just around the corner, it is about time to get
ready and start using your pool more often. The weather will soon be perfect
for enjoying a refreshing swim or letting the kids splash around while still
remaining socially distant and safe at home. This is why it is important to
test your pool water as soon as possible to ensure it is sanitary and will be
ready to enjoy. So how often should you test your pool water?
The answer is, regularly. A pool water test kit can be handy, and
it will tell you what needs to be cleaned or adjusted. But in most cases,
hiring a professional will take out all of the guess work leaving more free
time to enjoy the pool. If you are still interested in knowing how to analyze
your water, we’ve put together a handy list of what you should be testing for
and when.
Topics Covered
- Testing for Chlorine
- Testing for Total Alkalinity (TA)
- Testing for Calcium Hardness
- Testing for Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
- Testing for Chlorine
Chlorine is the most important
chemical to add to your pool because it effectively sanitizes it.
Frequency: You should check your
levels at least two or three times a week. If you don’t, your pool water may turn
green much faster as the temperature is rising.
pH
levels and chlorine work in tandem. If you keep your pH balanced, you will know
the chlorine is cleaning your pool water.
Frequency: Two or three times a week.
In effect, testing your pH levels should happen on the same days when you check
your chlorine.
Total alkalinity or TA is the measure of the pool water’s
ability to resist changes in pH. TA is important to check because
it acts as a buffer to keep the pH levels balanced.
It is essential for you to know how much TA substances are in
your pool water. Unbalanced alkalinity can lead to severe damage to your pool’s
structures. If the TA is low, then corrosion, scaling, and staining may result.
If TA is high, your water will turn murky.
Frequency: Check your TA levels once a week.
Calcium hardness can also damage
your pool. It is important to maintain your calcium hardness because this
allows the pool water to be in proper chemical balance with no damaging effects. If the calcium hardness is too low, the water
can corrode the surfaces of your pool. If the calcium is too high, the pool
water will become cloudy.
Frequency: The good news is that
you don’t have to check for calcium hardness frequently. You only have to do
this once a month.
5. Total
Dissolved Solids (TDS)
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) is
checking all the substances that have dissolved in your pool water. Some common
solids that can cause damage are magnesium, sulfates and irons. However, it is
important to know this rule: Everything that has been added to your water,
increases the TDS and will change the balance of the water. This means airborne
things such as dust and falling leaves or debris, dead bugs and other
contaminants. This also includes everything a swimmer brings into the water, such
as sweat, hair, sunscreen, tanning lotion or oils and grooming products. High
TDS levels decrease the efficacy of the chlorine in your pool and can lead to
eye and skin irritations for swimmers.
Unfortunately, removing TDS can be
difficult. To lower the TDS level, you may have to drain your pool water level
down or completely and refill it with fresh water. Pool filters won’t solve the
problem, as they do not remove suspended particles in the water.
Frequency: Add fresh water periodically. This will keep
your TDS level in check.
Pool Water Test by Champions Pool Repair & Services
Your swimming pool needs regular maintenance if you want to protect
your investment and keep your loved ones safe while swimming. You can use a
water test kit, but remember, deciphering it can be tricky.
The leading smart lab water testing resource near you is Champions
Pool Repair & Services. You can call us at (281) 355-8504 or send us a
message at https://oldchamp.wpengine.com/contacts/ and
we’ll let you know the process to have your pool’s water tested and how we can
assist. Trust your safety and summer swimming fun to our expert services and
technicians to lengthen the life span of your pool.
