You’ll get a lot of joy out of your above ground swimming pool, but you’ll also need to take care of some basic responsibilities. One of your regular tasks will be testing your pool water. Keeping everything in balance will ensure your water remains clear, clean and free of any algae or harmful bacteria. How much pool water is needed for testing? The answer is that it’s not that much. If you’re using test strips, all you’ll need to do is dip the paper strip into about six inches of water. If you’re using other testing methods, you might be required to fetch 12 to 24 ounces. Keep reading below to find out exactly what you need to know about testing your pool water.
What’s more important than the amount of water you’re testing is how often you test it. You’ll want to do this at least once a week. If you’ve had a lot of rainy weather or the pool is getting a lot of use, you’ll want to test more often. At least you won’t have to test as much as public pools which are usually required to test the water every hour! Just make sure to test the water on a regular and consistent basis.
The best time to test your water is at the beginning of the day before the sun is shining in full force. Make sure to have your pool pump running for at least an hour to get a good water circulation going. You’ll also need to retrieve your sample away from any jets or the skimmer. If your test requires a container, ensure that it’s clean.
Test Strips
If you’re using test strips, make sure they’re stored in a cool dry place and haven’t reached their expiry date. Dip the strip in about six inches of water and give it a single shake to remove the excess. After 15 to 20 seconds, compare the test strip to the color chart on the back of the package.
Test Kits
If you’re using a test kit you should submerge the test container face down to about elbow level before turning it right side up to get your water sample. Follow the directions on the package and add the appropriate chemicals to get your test results. After shaking, compare the water color to that of the color chart on the package.
Your testing strips or kit will usually test for chlorine, pH, total alkalinity and calcium hardness. There are other results that can be tested for, but the above four are the main ones. Each test will indicate whether you need to add chemicals to the water to bring things back into balance to ensure a safe and refreshing swimming pool.
Knowing how to test your pool water is an essential first step in becoming an above ground pool owner. To learn more about our above ground pool models, download a brochure today.