How Often Should You Check Your Pool Water?

A swimming pool is a fantastic addition to anyone's backyard. You can swim, tan, and have fun all summer long. But, what few pool owners tell you is that swimming pools need regular pool maintenance, including testing. Frequent testing is essential in preventing damage and keeping your swimming pool in great shape.

This blog will answer the question, "How often should you test your pool water?" to help every pool owner care for their swimming pools.

Why Test Your Pool Chemistry

The main goal of testing pool water is to check chemical levels. You always need to know your chemical levels before adding chemicals to your pool. If you just add more pool chemicals without completing water testing, you risk having too high or too low chemical levels in your pool. High or low chemical levels can cause expensive damage and make your water unsafe to swim in. Testing is mandatory to maintain proper chemical balance.

When To Test Your Pool Water

So, how often should you test your pool water chemicals? We recommend testing your pool water two to three times a week. Frequently testing your pool water will help ensure that your water chemistry is always balanced. When your pool chemistry is balanced, you can trust that your pool is in great shape, and you can swim whenever you like.

What To Check When Testing Your Water

Pool owners need to consider more than just pH and chlorine levels when testing their pools. Keep reading below to learn what you should include in your water testing.

Chlorine Levels

Chlorine is an essential parameter that helps keep freshwater clean. Low pool chlorine levels can cause cloudy water and algae blooms. We recommend you check your chlorine level every two to three days during the summer season.

When you test your chlorine levels, you need to be mindful of three factors:

• Free chlorine: Free chlorine is the amount of chlorine that has not yet been bound to a contaminant. In other words, it still can sanitize your pool. The recommended free chlorine levels are between 3 and 5 parts per million (ppm).
• Combined chlorine: Combined chlorine is the chlorine that has already been used because it has bonded to a molecule. A sign of high chlorine levels is cloudy water.
• Total chlorine: This is the total amount of chlorine that is in your pool, both combined (used) and free (unused). Owners use this test to determine how much chlorine they could add to boost their chlorine levels.

pH Levels

The pH scale goes from 0 to 14, 0 being acidic and 14 being base. Every pool owner needs to keep their pH levels in check because too high or too low of pH can cause equipment to corrode.

Test your pH level every week using test strips purchased from your local pool store. The optimal pH level for pool water is 7.2-7.8.

Total Dissolved Solids

Freshwater outdoor pools should have a TDS level between 1,500 to 2,000 ppm. Saltwater pools will have higher TDS levels because of the salt present. You can read more on that below.

Calcium Hardness

Calcium is a mineral present in pools and hot tubs, just like manganese. However, calcium can be seen by the white background or residue that it can leave on your pool liner or equipment.

High calcium levels can lead to build-up in your equipment. Calcium hardness levels should be checked once a month to ensure that there is an adequate amount of calcium in your pool or hot tub.

Salt Levels (Optional)

If you have a saltwater pool, you will need to measure your salt levels alongside other chemicals. Low levels will reduce the efficiency and effectiveness of your chlorinator, meaning you will have low chlorine levels. In contrast, high salt levels can cause corrosion to metal equipment.

Take the time to measure your salt level using sodium chlorine test strips. The ideal salt level is anywhere from 2,700 to 4,000 ppm.

Total Alkalinity

Alkaline is a compound present in water, just like hydroxides and carbohydrates, except they eliminate positively charged hydrogen molecules (H+). Eliminating H+ molecules is essential because it helps lower the acidity of your water and raise your pH.

Total alkalinity tests the water's ability to neutralize acids by measuring the number of alkaline substances in the water. You should test total alkalinity frequently alongside the rest of your chemicals.

The ideal total alkalinity is between 80 and 120 ppm.

Have Your Pool Water Tested By The Experts

For hassle-free swimming pool maintenance in Toronto, trust People for Pools at 647-710-8926, 1585 Britannia Rd E, Unit B3 Mississauga, ON L4W 2M4. Our trusted company offers weekly and bi-weekly pool care services, including water testing and balancing, so you can fully enjoy your pool all summer long.