Swimming Pool Maintenance: Critical Guidelines on Using DIY Water Testing Kits

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Water quality testing is an important part of maintaining your new swimming pool. In ideal circumstances, you should hire an experienced pool maintenance company for this process. However, this might not be possible due to financial constraints and even personal preferences. If this is your case, you can purchase home DIY test kits. These products usually provide accurate results if used correctly. Here are some crucial guidelines to help you use water testing kits.

Use New and Uncontaminated Kits

One of the common causes of inaccurate results is the use of unsuitable water testing products. Therefore, you should always obtain new testing commodities for your activity. In simple terms, you should ensure that the kits have not stayed too long in your storage shed before use. Otherwise, the chemicals in both the test strips and tester liquids will destabilise. Also, you should store the kits as instructed by the manufacturer to avoid contamination by external factors.

Collect Samples Correctly

You should collect water samples using the correct methods to prevent biases in the results. Typically, the manufacturer will provide instructions on water collection, depending on the nature of the kit. In general, it is advisable to run the pump before collecting samples for testing. This practice circulates the water and mixes the chemicals present in the water. Also, direct sunlight and evaporation can cause different concentrations at the surface of the pool. So, test water from below the upper surface for less bias.

Wait before Testing

It is tempting to check the concentration of pool chemicals immediately after making adjustments. However, you should not waste your testing kits by acting prematurely. Usually, the new chemicals will take some time before getting circulated in the pool. Waiting overnight or at least for a couple of hours will ensure that the actual chemical levels are reflected. 

Handle the Strips with Care

Most water testing kits have an indicator strip which provides the results on chemical levels. If this product is mishandled, the results will not be accurate. When performing the test, you should avoid touching the testing end of the strips because your hands will cause contamination. You should also not swirl the unit in water; dip into the sample as instructed. Additionally, do not delay taking the reading after testing because the strip colour will change. 

If you are uncertain about the current status of your swimming pool or would like to make improvements on the water quality, you should consult a swimming pool builder for professional advice.

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26 September 2017

Making Sure Your Pool is Clean

Hello! My name is Peter but my friends call me 'Swimming Pool Pete'. This is because of my new obsession - my swimming pool. I had a new swimming pool installed in my backyard last summer. My family and I had a fantastic time swimming around in the pool all summer long. When the weather became cold and the leaves began to fall, I covered the pool and went inside. However, on the first day of spring, I was devastated to discover that the water in my pool had turned green. I called a pool guy who came over and he explained I needed to add chemicals to the pool to maintain the water quality over the winter months. I asked this man a million questions and I have taught myself everything there is to know about pool care.