FREE INSTORE WATER TESTING
Bring in your pool or spa water sample today! Our experts conduct a quick, thorough analysis to identify any imbalances and recommend the right treatments. With our detailed report and personalized advice, achieving crystal clear, healthy water is easy.
Collecting pool water for testing
Choose the Right Container: Use a clean, plastic container that has never contained any detergents or chemicals. This helps prevent contamination of the sample.
Select the Correct Location: Collect the water from the deep end of the pool to avoid surface contaminants and to get a sample that represents the overall water condition.
Proper Depth for Collection: Submerge the container approximately 30cm to 45cm below the surface to avoid collecting any debris that might be floating on the surface or sitting at the bottom.
- Fill the Container: Turn the container upside-down underwater to ensure it fills completely. This method helps capture a sample that’s free from air bubbles and potential surface contaminants.
- Secure the Sample: Tightly cap the container to prevent any leaks or contamination during transportation.
- Timing: Collect the water sample at a time when you’re able to bring it to the store within a few hours. This helps ensure the accuracy of the test results, as water chemistry can change over time.
Get Your pH Testing Kit Here
Do you want to manage your pool or spa’s health on your own?
Grab one of our pH testing kits today.
It’s your first step towards maintaining the perfect balance in your water. Simple, quick, and reliable—ensure your water’s health at your convenience.
Get your pH testing kit today and enjoy pristine water with every dip!
Maintaining Pristine Pool Water
Maintaining the perfect balance of your pool water is crucial for ensuring the health of swimmers and keeping the water crystal clear. We delves into the essential aspects of pool maintenance, highlighting the significance of each water balancing factor and offering straightforward advice on how to achieve and maintain this balance through regular testing and treatment.
Ensuring your pool has the correct pH level is fundamental for balanced water and swimmer well-being. Aim for a pH range between 7.2 and 7.6 for optimal conditions. If your pH is below this range, increase it by adding a pH booster. Conversely, reduce a high pH with a pH reducer or liquid acid to achieve balance quickly.
Total alkalinity acts as a stabilizer for your pool’s pH levels, primarily using compounds like Sodium Bicarbonate. It’s crucial for preventing pH fluctuations and maintaining clear water. Aim for an alkalinity level of 100-200 parts per million (ppm), with 120 ppm as the ideal target. Raise low alkalinity with an alkalinity enhancer, or lower high alkalinity with a pH reducer or liquid acid, turning off the pump for two hours before restarting it.
The right amount of calcium is crucial for the longevity of your pool’s surface and equipment. Use Calcium Chloride to adjust your pool’s calcium hardness, aiming for 200-400 ppm in plaster pools and 100-250 ppm in vinyl or fiberglass pools. Low calcium can harm your pool and cause discomfort, while high levels lead to cloudiness and scale formation. Adjust as needed with calcium hardness products.
Chlorine keeps your pool water sanitized and free from harmful pathogens. The ideal chlorine level is between 2 and 3 ppm. Enhance low chlorine levels with a chlorine-based sanitizer. For saltwater systems, increase chlorine production as needed. If chlorine levels are too high, reduce them with a neutralizing agent or let them naturally decrease with sunlight exposure, avoiding additional chlorine until levels are balanced.
Cyanuric Acid (CYA) helps stabilize chlorine against UV degradation, acting like sunscreen for your pool. Keep CYA levels between 30-50 ppm. To increase low CYA, add in increments, retesting and adding more if necessary. High CYA may necessitate partially replacing pool water to lower levels effectively, consulting a professional before completely draining your pool.
Regular use of algaecide can prevent unsightly algae blooms, although it’s not strictly necessary for all pools. Incorporating a routine dose of algaecide can help in maintaining clear, algae-free water.