Testing Pool Chemicals

At least once a week, the swimming pool water needs to be tested to ensure certain levels of pool chemicals are properly balanced. Maintaining proper water chemistry will give you a sparkling blue pool.
A balanced swimming pool really only needs to have the pH and chlorine levels checked and corrected on a regular basis, the other chemical values being measured less frequently.

A good pool test kit is a must – although some prefer to use test strips. Expired strips/ test liquids (reagents) should be thrown out, as they very often give inaccurate readings, resulting in pouring unnecessary (expensive) chemicals into your swimming pool. Always keep the test kit in a cool, dry place, out of the sun; and out of the reach of children.

When testing the pool water, rinse the cells of your test kit thoroughly before filling them with water from at least 18” below the surface of the swimming pool. When you've finished the tests, never empty the test solution back into the swimming pool.

Weekly pool water testing:
pH
Chlorine

If there are no obvious problems in your swimming pool, the following tests should be done at least every 3 months or so, but preferably every month. They are either undertaken by a professional swimming pool consultant who comes to your pool, or they can be done at many specialist pool shops if you take them a pool water sample (in a clean glass jar!). If you feel you may have a problem or would like a professional to test your water, you can call CWI Pool Service. We would be happy to help you.

Monthly pool water testing:

Total Alkalinity
Calcium Hardness
Total Dissolved Solids
Stabilizer

If the water in your area is free from any metals, and your swimming pool shows none of the symptoms of iron or copper presence, the test for these metals is unnecessary. If, however, you notice staining on the walls and floor of the swimming pool, you should have the levels of these metals checked.