Ever hear of the phrase “testing the waters?” When it comes to your pool water, this is one of the most important things to do. Healthy pools start with healthy water, and consistent water quality testing is the easiest way to maintain your swimming pool. Whether or not you’re utilizing the help of a professional, you should familiarize yourself with the process.
How’s the Water? A Beginner’s Guide to Pool Inspection
Since your swimming pool is most likely used by multiple people at any given time, it is extremely important for the pool water to be tested and treated regularly. Not only will this prevent the spread of disease and illness, but healthy pools enhance the swimming experience.
Unfortunately, it takes a lot more than a simple glance or dip in the pool water to know if it’s healthy. But the good news is there are a variety of water quality testing kits, readers and strips to use to help you make the pool inspection easier.
The Key to Healthy Pools
In order to ensure balanced, sparkling-clean pool water, you have to check the chemical levels, and this includes:
- pH level: 7.2 – 7.6
- Chlorine level: 1-3 ppm
- Alkalinity level: 80 – 120 ppm
- Cyanuric Acid level: 30 – 50 ppm
- Calcium Hardness level: 180 – 220 ppm
- Bromine level: 3-5 ppm
Most pool companies recommended that you perform water quality testing weekly and then add chemicals if there is a decrease or increase in the ideal range. The best way to ensure the appropriate balance is to partner with a professional pool inspection company, but there are plenty of tools you can use to handle this on your own. The type of test you choose largely depends on your budget and the level of accuracy you’d like to achieve.
Pool Water Test Strips
One of the most common and inexpensive method of water quality testing, test strips are a quick and relatively accurate option. Just dip them in the water and within seconds, you can read the results, which are usually based on a color-coded system and chart. This will tell you which chemicals need to be added.
Liquid Kits
While slightly higher priced than test strips, liquid testing kits are an excellent route to healthy pools. These kits allow you to add reagents to sample water and view the results on a comparator for a more complete, reliable solution.
Digital Pool Inspection Testing
In our high-tech world, who wouldn’t want the ease and instant gratification of a digital water quality testing solution? Speed and accuracy are the cornerstones of a digital test, offering a user-friendly, water-resistant system that typically includes an LCD display, memory capability and instant results. While on the more on the expensive side, digital tests are by far the most complete and reliable option on the market.
We all know that pool maintenance is a task. It’s not something that can be taken care of with the flip of a switch. If you’re looking for the most trusted, well-rounded solution – one that avoids human error and makes maintenance less stressful, partner with a pool inspection company today. That’s the true key to healthy pools!