How Often Should You Test Your Pool Water

The best way to avoid expensive damage and repairs to your pool is to keep up with a regular maintenance routine. When it comes to pool supplies in Toronto, you will need sanitizers, pH balancers, algicides, and other chemicals to help keep your pool water safe and balanced. Thankfully, most pool companies offer free water-quality testing and sell all the pool supplies you need to keep your pool safe this summer. Here is our guide for pool water testing.

The Importance of Regular Pool Maintenance

Just like with your home, regular maintenance is an important part of preventing damage to your pool. Proactive maintenance can help extend your pool liner and pool equipment’s longevity to help you and your family enjoy your backyard pool for longer. Your regular maintenance routine should include cleaning, water quality testing, and equipment testing. To purchase pool supplies in Toronto, find local pool companies like Seaway Pools & Hot Tubs.

The Ideal Levels For Your Pool Water

If you are unsure about your pool’s ideal levels, make sure that you contact your local pool supplies store. Their expert staff can help you determine the ideal metrics for your pool water. In general, the preferred levels for most outdoor pools are 2700-3400 ppm salt, 1-3 ppm chlorine, 7.2-7.8 pH, 80-120 ppm total alkalinity, 200-400 ppm calcium, 0 ppm metals, and 30-50 ppm cyanuric acid. 

Testing Frequency Varies By Chemical

Chlorine

When it comes to testing for chlorine levels, it will usually vary by pool use. In the early spring, when your pool is open but being unused, you will likely not need to check the chlorine levels as frequently as in the summer, when the pool is in constant use. In general, we recommend checking your chlorine levels between 2-3 times per week.

pH

pH is an important metric for your pool chemistry and helps to prevent corrosion of equipment. Your pH levels should be checked as often as your chlorine levels: 2-3 times per week.

Total Alkalinity

Total alkalinity only needs to be checked about once per week to ensure your pool water’s stability.

Calcium Hardness

On a less frequent basis, you should check your calcium hardness. Checking calcium levels about once per month can ensure you aren’t getting any build-up that could disrupt your equipment.

Try the AquaCheck 6-in-1 Test Strips

For a convenient all-in-one test strip, try the AquaCheck 6-in-1 test strips. With test strips handy, it will be easy to keep on top of your water chemistry.

Pool companies, including Seaway Pools & Hot Tubs, sell a range of pool supplies in Toronto to help you keep your pool water safe and balanced. They also offer free water quality testing at their locations in Newmarket (905-853-8500) and Markham (905-294-8030) to help you determine what you may be missing in your pool maintenance routine. This summer, prioritize your family’s health and safety by keeping on top of your pool water chemistry.