If you have a pool, it’s important to test the water chemistry periodically. Going too long without pool water testing could leave your pool open to changing its chemical balance in ways that make your pool unsafe to use. Fortunately, pool water testing is something you can easily do at home with the help of a testing kit. In this article, we will go over how these kits work and elaborate on why pool chemistry is important.
Most pool water testing covers three main components: the water’s acidity or pH level, its total alkalinity, and its chlorine level. In your pool water testing kit, you will find a vial for containing your water samples, chemical solutions to add to these samples, and a color scale for interpreting your results. To use, first fill the vial with water from your pool from a depth of about 18 inches. Then, add the indicated number of drops of the solution for the desired test to your sample and mix by gently swirling. The test solution causes a reaction with the chemical being tested that causes the water to change color in proportion to the amount of that chemical. You’ll then compare the color of your sample to the color scale provided in your test kit, which will also indicate whether your pool’s water exceeds safe levels. If you find that your pool is unsafe, you can call our team at Cayman Pool & Spa for assistance in getting it ready for swimming again.
Pool water testing is important because the chemicals used to keep your pool clean of algae and germs can be harmful in excessive amounts. For example, swimming in over-chlorinated water can provoke not only eye irritation, but also lung irritation or even asthma. In contrast, a high total alkalinity is not a health risk, but will cause scaling or damage to your pool if left for too long. If you want to get the most out of your pool in the long term and stay healthy while using it, regular pool water testing is key. Call our team at Cayman Pool & Spa to learn more about how to keep your pool’s chemistry balanced.