How to Check the Chemicals in a Swimming Pool

Check the chemicals in a pool facility.

Swimming pool chemicals may be harmful to the human body if used in excess; however, not keeping pool water balanced with the right chemicals can also cause health problems due to the growth of bacteria and germs. Checking the chemical levels in a pool is a task that must be done on a regular basis to ensure that the proper amounts of chemicals are being used for both the maintenance of the pool and the safety of its swimmers.

Things You'll Need

• 3-way pool test strips
• Glass container

Instructions

1. Gather a small sample of the pool water in a glass container to check the free chlorine, alkalinity and pH. Insert a 3-way pool test strip into the glass container, being careful not to fully submerge the strip under water. Let the test strip sit in the pool water for three minutes.

2. Remove the 3-way pool test strip from the glass container and read the results to find out the current level of each chemical in the swimming pool. The pH should be 7.4 to 7.6, the alkalinity level should be 80 to 150 ppm and the level of free chlorine should be 1.0 to 3.0ppm.

3. Adjust each pool chemical accordingly. Continue to test the pool water two times per week, and also after heavy rain, if the pool is outdoors.

References

• Above Groud Pool Professionals: What Chemicals Should I Add to My Pool
• Pool Center: Testing Strips FAQ

Resources

• Swimming Pool Chemical Dosing Rates