How to Test your Water with a Testing Strip

Testing your pool is a regular and integral part of pool ownership. It’s essential to maintaining water that is crystal clear and algae free. It’s also important to maintain a good balance of chemicals in your pool because improper water chemistry can cause damage to your pool and equipment. Beyond that, imbalanced water can cause eye irritation and hair discoloration.

Test at least once each week, more if you are using the pool heavily. You may want to test 2-3 times a week if you are new to pool maintenance until you get used to the fluctuations. It can help to pick one day a week to routinely test your water.

Process:

1. Use a clean, empty cup

2. Take the sample in the middle of the pool away from jets and skimmers

3. Dip container upside down until elbow deep, then take the sample

Luckily, our 4 retail locations (Hamburg, Clarence, Fredonia and Erie, PA) have complimentary, computerized water testing stations so you don’t even need to worry about doing your own water tests! Come in with a water sample and get your water tested by our state-of-the-art ALEX water testing system! An added bonus when bringing your water sample in to one of our retail stores for testing is that a knowledgeable staff member will help you select the chemicals you need to properly balance your pool. As an added incentive, 4 times a year we run a special that is 10% off needed balancing chemicals when you bring your water sample in for testing!

PLEASE READ: Why it is Important to Test Your Water After Your Pool Opening!

You’ve waited all winter for this and the time has finally come- it’s time to open your pool! You see your pool is crystal clear and you may be ready to dive right in BUT before you do, it is important to have your water tested within 24-48 hours of starting your equipment after your pool is opened. Clear water can be HIGHLY ACIDIC water. Acidic water can severely damage your pool and its equipment within days of operation.

Poor water quality can lead to:

• Corrosion and damage of pool equipment (especially the components in heaters!)

• Damage to ALL pool surfaces (vinyl liners, gunite & fiberglass)

• Additional, potentially costly, expenses to return the pool to a useable condition

• Cloudy, murky and unsightly water

• Swimmer eye and skin irritation

• AND MORE!!

Here at Colley’s Pools & Spas, all 4 of our locations offer COMPLIMENTARY computerized water testing. While your water may look clear and safe, it has been sitting stagnant all winter and may be unsafe for swimming and damaging to the pool and equipment!

Maintaining quality pool water is vital to keeping your pool and pool equipment in tip-top shape all summer long. Frequent water tests (we recommend weekly, but at minimum, twice a month) will help you figure out which chemicals you need, which helps increase the longevity of your pool and its equipment and, in turn, SAVES YOU MONEY! Just because your pool water looks clear- doesn’t mean it is safe!

Testing your pool water with Colley’s Pools & Spas is easy!

1. Use a Colley’s water sample bottle or any clean container.

2. Take the sample away from jets and skimmer.

3. Dip container upside down until elbow deep, then take the sample.

4. Bring it into one of our 4 locations for a COMPLIMENTARY water test.

Based on the computerized outcome, our pool experts can recommend which chemicals you may need to improve your water quality.