When it's hot out, nothing sounds better than jumping in the pool to cool off
So testing the water regularly will ensure your pool is always a safe place to swim
Let's get started. Test strips and testing kits are the two most popular ways to test the chemical levels in your pool
Test strips are a fast and easy option. They measure total chlorine, preavailable chlorine, pH, alkalinity, and overall stability of the water
They're also easy to read. Take a test strip and dip it in your pool at elbow length, and then pull the test strip out
and compare the results to the chart on the package that it came with
Complete pool test kits take more time to test strips, but they're more accurate
Now I am using an O2-O-Phenol test for my pool that will test the chlorine levels
Now most O2-O-Phenol tests include a pH, alkalinity, stabilizer, and hardness test in the kit too
You start with a clean and dry tube so there's nothing to contaminate the test
Then fill the tube with pool water up to the indicated line
Drop the appropriate amount of the reagent solution into the water sample
Put the cap on the tube and shake it gently to mix up the solution
Compare the color of the water in the tube to the chart provided in the test kit
To keep your pool water chemical levels balanced, here's what you'll need to measure and how often
Pre-chlorine helps prevent the growth of bacteria and algae and should be tested two to three times a week
pH includes chlorine effectiveness and protects your pool quickly. Also, test this two to three times a week
Total alkalinity. This helps prevent the pH from swimming in and out of range and should be tested weekly
Calcium hardness prevents surface damage such as scales and corrosion. Test this monthly
And finally, the stabilizer. It extends the life of chlorine by preventing chlorine burn off due to sunlight
And this only needs to be tested two to three times per season
Now if you have a saltwater pool, you still need to test the water each week
The correct chemical balances should be the same for a chlorinated pool
You also have to test the salt levels each month. There may be times you'll need to test this more often
Having a pool party? Test the pool water before your guests arrive and after they leave
Now when it rains, a lot of fresh water ends up in your pool, which can make the water more acidic
So, test your pool water as soon as possible. Keep a simple testing schedule and it will keep your pool beautiful all season long
Good luck and thanks for stopping at the Home Depot. www.globalonenessproject.org