Pool & Spa Care
Testing the Water
Regularly testing your pool or spa water is a critical part of any maintenance routine. Your pool/spa supply shop is the best place to buy test kits. The various tests you - or your service professional - must perform on your pool or spa are as follows!
- Sanitizer (Chlorine/Bromine Testing)
- pH readings
- Total alkalinity test
- Stabilizer
The
Testing Routine
How often you need to conduct these tests depends on many different things, e.g. How often you use your pool or spa; How many bathers, time of year, geographical location, etc. There are, however, some basic testing guidelines you can follow:
Sanitizers
- You should test your chlorine or bromine levels three or four times a week, whether you're using your pool or spa regularly or not - your goal is to maintain at least the minimum amount of sanitizer residual and to have crystal clear water.
Testing
- Depending on how often you use your pool or spa - and other factors such as geography - you may need to test more often.
- It's also very important to test the water after a rainfall - which can dramatically impact your water balance.
- With spas, keep in mind that even one bather can upset the water's delicate balance.
pH
- Should also be tested often during heavy use of your pool or spa - at least three or four times a week, if not more - these tests should be done in conjunction with sanitizer testing.
- One convenient way to remember is to always test one if you test the other - as with sanitizers, just one bather can affect your spa's pH level.
Total Alkalinity
- With pools or spas you should test often during heavy use - perhaps 3 to 4 times a week - and as called for if there are any dramatic changes in your pH levels
Stabilizer
- Helps to maintain the level of chlorine in the pool. Chlorine will depleate due to the suns ultrta violet rays.
- Test the pool or spa water and the tap water you add whenever you first start up your pool or spa - you should then follow-up with more tests every three months - or if you see any scale formation.
A Few
Testing Tips
Test-kit reagents can deteriorate over time and will eventually give you false readings. Always check the expiry date, follow the manufacturer's instructions for usage and storage.
- It's very important to clean your test kit after each use - any residual chemicals can hamper your efforts at finding and maintaining the right water balance.
- Only test pool or spa water that has been circulating for a while - and always get your sample from at least 12 inches below the surface.
- With spas you'll also need to make sure the water temperature is not higher than 104° maximum.
- Read your results immediately using a brightly-lit background (preferably white).
- Do not use your fingers in place of a test vial cap because the oils from your skin can skew the results.
- Finally, and most importantly, always record your results - a running history will keep you informed and will give you vital information if you start having any trouble with the water in your pool or spa.
Know
Your Pool or Spa
Before you tackle a cleaning routine you should first familiarize yourself with your pools or spas equipment:
- Pumps
- Motors
- Filters
- Heaters
Phone: 416-752-7665 / Toll free: 1-800-231-4219