Water Testing

Consistent, frequent water testing and appropriate action is the key to a well-maintained pool. In order to determine your pool water treatment needs, you need to test your water for its present levels. Test and adjust as necessary to keep your pool water within the ranges listed below:

Test

Frequency

Pool Type

Ideal Range

pH

Twice weekly

All pool types

7.2 — 7.6

Total Alkalinity

Monthly

Plaster

Gunite

Concrete

Vinyl

Fiberglass, Painted

80 — 125 ppm

80 — 125 ppm

80 — 125 ppm

125 — 150 ppm

125 — 150 ppm

Calcium Hardness

2-3 times per season

Plaster

Gunite

Concrete

Vinyl

Fiberglass, Painted

200 — 250 ppm

200 — 250 ppm

200 — 250 ppm

175 — 225 ppm

175 — 225 ppm

Free Available Chlorine

Twice weekly

All pool types

1.0 — 3.0 ppm

Stabilizer

2-3 times per season

All Pool Types

At least 30 ppm

There are two types of at-home testing methods including test kits that use liquid reagents and/or tablets and test strips. Always read test instructions carefully and follow them exactly for the most accurate results. Keeping a log of all test results and product applications can be helpful for problem-solving and anticipating maintenance needs.

For a more accurate test reading, always obtain your water test sample from "elbow" depth in the pool, away from water return lines. Sunlight and environmental conditions affect surface water samples and water samples taken close to the water returns. Testing these water samples can provide inaccurate test results.

Replace your test reagents or test strips with fresh product at the beginning of each pool season. Older reagents and test strips can provide inaccurate readings due to conditions such as age, heat, high humidity, etc.