Water chemistry is the key ingredient in providing a healthy, maintenance free swimming pool or spa. If neglected, you will experience eye and skin irritations, pool corrosion, and pool surface staining.There are five main chemicals that must be addressed when maintaining a pool:
- Sanitizers - They actively reduce the amount of microorganisms in the water.
- pH (potens hydrogen) - is the measure of acidity & alkalinity of the water.
- Alkalinity - loosely defined as the amount of sodium bi carbonate dissolved in the water.
- Calcium Hardness - the amount of calcium and magnesium salts dissolved in the water.
- Stabilizer and Conditioner - protect chlorine from UV degradation.
The following tips will assist in achieving accurate and consistent results when testing the chemicals:
- Always rinse the vial with clean swimming pool water before commencing the test
- Take the water samples at least 18” below the surface and away from the skimmer or returns
- Add the reagents one drop at a time while swirling the vial. Hold the reagent bottle completely upside down (i.e. not on an angle).
- Store the test kit and reagents at room temperature, away from sunlight
- Replace the reagents once a year.