Seeking Pool Water Testing Products Near You in Sykesville, Eldersburg & Westminster? We’ve Got It Covered

How Do I Test My Home Swimming Pool or Spa?

The two main ways to test your swimming pool water is either through test strips or through a liquid test kit. What’s the difference between these two options?

• Test Strips: Test strips are small paper or plastic strips that you simply dip into the pool water. They then change color based on the chemical composition of the water. The big pro of test strips is that they’re easy to use and offer quick results. The downside is that they don’t always offer the highest level of accuracy, as color interpretation can be subjective.
• Liquid Test Kits: Liquid test kits require taking a pool sample, then adding a few drops of liquid reagents to see how the water reacts. Once the water changes color, you can compare the color change to a chart to determine the chemical levels. Using these takes a bit more involvement than simply dipping a strip, but the payoff is that they tend to provide more precise results, with the color changes being more distinct. Liquid reagents need to replaced each season due to degradation of the reagent. Many reagents have expiration dates printed on the label, making it easy to know when to replace.

If you own a pool, it’s probably best to have both testing options on hand. The strips are great for quick reads when you’re in a hurry or if you’re wanting to do multiple tests per week. The liquid tests are better for those more in-depth weekly tests, before opening or closing the pool for the season, or when you have serious concerns about the condition of the water.

We recommend bringing your water into Waterworks Pools and Spas once a month to make sure your pool is operating at optimum levels.

Need Professional Water Testing? We Use ALEX Water Testing Software

ALEX (Accurate Laboratory EXpert) Water Testing is a computerized water analysis system that was developed by BioGuard. It’s designed to provide fast, precise, and totally customized recommendations for your pool and spa, ensuring you have the water treatment plan that’s best for your household.

How does it work? It’s pretty simple. Customers will bring a small sample of their pool or spa water to Waterworks Pools and Spas (that’s us), after which we’ll use the ALEX system to conduct a thorough analysis, testing for key water parameters, such as pH, chlorine, alkalinity, calcium hardness, and more.

Based on the test results, ALEX provides a tailored recommendation for the exact products and dosages needed to maintain optimal water quality. 

ALEX also provides step-by-step instructions for getting your pool back in balance.  It is very user friendly and gives you the amount of product to add as well as how long to wait between steps and how long to wait before swimming.

ALEX is known for accuracy, being much more precise than at-home test strips or kits, and results are available in minutes. If you’re looking for a reliable and professional way to maintain perfect pool water, ALEX Water Testing is a great option, and we’d be happy to help.

How Accurate Are Pool Test Strips?

When it comes to getting quick and easy results for your pool water’s condition, test strips are usually a reliable and convenient tool to use. You can typically trust these pretty reliably, but accurately assessing the right color and matching it up to the guide can be tricky, especially in different lighting conditions.

In addition, factors like expired strips, improper storage, or even water contamination can also affect the accuracy of the results. For the best reliability, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions, store strips in a dry place, and double-check readings under natural light.

If you’re feeling uneasy about the results your test strips revealed, test your water with a liquid test kid, which is known for being more accurate and less subjective.

How Long Are Pool Test Strips Good For? Can You Use Expired Pool Test Strips?

Pool test strips have a limited shelf life and can lose accuracy over time if used past the expiration date or improperly stored.

Most pool test strips are good for about 12 to 24 months from the manufacturing date, so be sure to look on the box to check your text strips’ expiration date. Also, keep in mind that their lifespan and accuracy can decrease with exposure to heat, moisture, and air. Once a test strip is exposed to humidity, its chemical pads can degrade, leading to unreliable results.

Can you use water test strips if they’re expired?

The concern with using expired testing strips for your home pool is that accuracy diminishes the older they are, and incorrect readings could result in improper chemical balancing. You could use them, then compare their results with a fresh set or a liquid test kit to ensure accuracy, but when in doubt, replacing them is always the best – and recommended – option.

How Should I Store My Pool Test Strips?

Even if your pool test trips aren’t expired, improper storage can still lead to misleading results. For the best results and for a longer lifespan, follow these guidelines:

• Keep Them Dry: Moisture exposure can activate the reagent pads prematurely, making the test strips ineffective before you even use them. Always store test strips in a sealed, waterproof container to prevent accidental exposure to humidity or splashes from the pool.
• Store Them Out of Sunlight: Ultraviolet (UV) rays from sunlight can degrade the chemical reagents on the strips over time. Keep the container in a cool, shaded area, such as a storage cabinet, to maintain their effectiveness.
• Store at Room Temperature: Extreme heat or cold can interfere with the chemical composition of the test strips. Heat will accelerate chemical breakdown, while freezing temperatures can cause condensation to occur later when the strips are eventually exposed to warmer air.
• Keep the Container Tightly Closed: When not in use, always ensure the container you’re storing them in is tightly sealed. This prevents exposure to air, humidity, and contaminants that can lead to inaccurate readings.
• Avoid Storing Near Pool Chemicals: Strong chemical fumes, such as chlorine and acid vapors, can interact with the test strips even if they are in a closed container. This can lead to false readings or strip deterioration.

In addition, be sure to thoroughly wash and dry your hands before using the test strips. Touching the reagent pads with wet or dirty fingers can introduce unwanted contaminants, altering the test results. 

How Do I Interpret Pool Test Kit Results?

When you perform a water test, the kit typically provides measurements for key water chemistry parameters, such as pH, chlorine levels, alkalinity, calcium hardness, and cyanuric acid (stabilizer). Understanding how to interpret these results is imperative, ensuring you can adjust your pool’s chemistry correctly and prevent issues like cloudy water, damage, and skin irritation.

Let’s look a little closer at all the things you’ll need to consider – and why they’re important for ensuring a well-balanced pool.

pH Level (preferred range 7.2–7.8)

The pH level of your pool measures the acidity or alkalinity of the water. This directly impacts the effectiveness of chlorine, as well as water comfort and the overall health of the pool equipment. 

• If the water is too acidic (low pH) it can cause skin and eye irritation, corrosion of metal pool components, and inefficient chlorine disinfection.
• If the water is too alkaline (high pH) it can cause scale buildup on pool surfaces, clogging of the pool equipment, and reduced chlorine effectiveness.

Chlorine Level (preferred range 1–4 ppm)

Chlorine is the most commonly used sanitizer in pools, and it helps to kill harmful bacteria, viruses, and algae, keeping the water cleaner and safer. Chlorine levels fluctuate based on pool usage, weather, and the time of day, so do extra testing if it’s hot outside or after lots of use.

• If your chlorine level is too low, your pool becomes a breeding ground for harmful microorganisms, resulting in unsanitary water that can cause illness.
• If your chlorine level is too high, it can lead to skin and eye irritation, a strong chemical smell, and fading of pool liners.

Total Alkalinity (preferred range 80–120 ppm)

Total alkalinity measures the water’s ability to buffer pH levels – in other words, it helps maintain stable pH. Just remember that alkalinity is the primary buffer, while pH controls the level of acidity, so always adjust alkalinity before adjusting pH.

• If alkalinity is too low, the pH will be unstable and fluctuate easily, which can cause corrosion of pool surfaces, equipment, and irritation to the skin and eyes. 
• If alkalinity is too high, it can cause the pH to rise, leading to scaling and cloudy water, as well as reduce the chlorine’s effectiveness.

Calcium Hardness (preferred range 200–300 ppm)

Calcium hardness measures the concentration of calcium ions in your pool water (i.e. whether it’s too hard or too soft).

• Water that is too soft (low calcium) can corrode pool surfaces and equipment, as well as cause staining and etching on plaster and other surfaces.
• Water that is too hard (high calcium) can cause cloudy water and harder-to-maintain chemical balances.

Cyanuric Acid (preferred range 30–50 ppm)

Cyanuric acid (CYA) is also known as a stabilizer or conditioner. It protects chlorine from being broken down by UV rays from the sun. Without CYA, chlorine can lose its effectiveness, especially in sunny climates.
 

• If your CYA level is too low, chlorine will degrade too quickly under the sun, and you may find yourself adding more chlorine than necessary.