Testing The Pool Water
Testing the pool water should become a routine part of your week, and a basic at-home testing kit is easy to come by. Here are a few testing tips from the professionals to get the most accurate results.
- The best time to test the pool water is at dusk.
- Make sure to choose an area of the pool where water does not come back from the filter, preferably the deep end and submerse the kit elbow deep.
- When you open your kit, be sure not to drop any water on the testing strips as they will become contaminated.
- Wait at least four hours after swimmers have left before you test the water.
- Wait at least eight to 12 hours after a rain or windstorm before you test the water.
- Weekends aren’t the best time to test as neighbors mow their lawn or fertilize and if it’s in the air, it can affect your reading.
- If you have a normal pH reading for three weeks and suddenly get a high or low reading, wait 24 hours and test again. If it’s the same reading then, adjust accordingly.
- Test your water at same time of day each time you use your kit.
- Run the pump at least one hour before testing the water.
