There are many problems that can result if our customers don’t regularly test their pool water. Not sanitizing enough can cause the water to become hazy and tinted with color. Slimy film develops on sides and bottom, staining surfaces. Algae can grow and harbor bacteria that cause eye, ear or throat infections. Adding too much sanitizer may cause irritation for swimmers, bleaching of hair, bathing suits, etc. When the pH is too low, it can also be irritating to swimmers and can also corrode surface finishes, plaster and equipment. When the pH is too high, cloudy water, scale, sanitizer takes longer to kill bacteria, irritating to swimmers. All of these problems can be prevented by regular accurate water testing and chemical adjustment. We want to stress that before performing any test, read the test kit instructions CAREFULLY.
Some tips to doing water tests are
• Collect water samples from several areas for more accurate water testing because the water sample must represent the entire body of water.
• Rinse the test tube with test water. Never use a test tube over again without rinsing out. Rinse the tue three times with the water sample to be tested, and then fill to the desired line. The water sample should be tested promptly after being collected.
• Measure carefully. Carefully measure the sample of water to be tested. Water in a tube will form a meniscus that is higher around the edges and lower in the center. The tube should be filled so that the bottom of the mescus is sitting upon the line.
• Hold vertical, cap, and don’t use fingers. When using reagents, hold the reagent bottle vertically when dispensing drops. Add the required amount and immediately recap the bottle. Never interchange the caps of reagent containers. When the reagents are in tablet form, avoid handling tablets with fingers. If tables are nt sealed individually, shake one table into the container cap and add the tablet to the test tube.
• Test sanitizer residual, pH, TA, calcium hardness, and cyanuric acid. First test the sanitizer to make sure the level is not too high to affect other tests. Then test pH, TA, calcium hardness, and cyanuric acid levels.
• Test kits are designed to be read in daylight.
• Watch the record of test results
• Don’t use the same test tube for both chlorine and pH tests.
• Store the test equipment properly. Make sure test reagents are stored away from children and animals. Don’t store test equipment in high heat. Store in a cool, dry place indoors if there is a possibility of freezing. Keep reagents away from all treatment chemicals. Don’t expose test reagents and color comparators to direct sunlight, freezing, or high temperatures for long periods of time.