Types of Pool Testing Kits to Keep Pools in Good Condition

Pool maintenance is extremely important, and one process to make it as clean and safe to swim in as possible includes routine water testing. However, there are different testing methods that yield various, and occasionally more accurate results. In line with this, the water in a pool should be clear, clean, and safe to swim in. But without using pool testing kits to analyze the water’s composition, it is impossible to determine whether the chlorine level is too high, too low, or just right. And actually, the pH, total alkalinity, calcium hardness, cyanuric acid, and salt levels for saltwater pools can all be checked with pool testing kits.

Actually, a pool testing kit is required. Regardless of the size or type of pool the owner is attempting to manage. These kits assist in achieving the ideal chemical balance to eradicate bacterial development and plant growth while guaranteeing that swimming is safe without causing skin irritation or red, itchy eyes.

There are actually three types of pool testing kits that are used similarly and perform the same checks on pool water, but their processes differ. These three are referred to as pool test strips, liquid test kits, and digital readers.

Maintaining your pool does not have to be a chore with the best pool testing kits. Owning a pool requires regular testing and chemistry adjustments to ensure that the water is safe for swimming. Two or three times each week, chlorine and pH tests are required. You can therefore spend more time enjoying your pool and less time maintaining it if you have the correct tools for the job.

At the very least, you should frequently check the levels of pH, alkalinity, chlorine, and free chlorine when maintaining your swimming pool at home. If you have different testing for each chemical, this might be a lot of labor. However, if you use the proper variety that will actually meet all the standards on board, pool testing kits make it simple. Learn more about the types of pool testing kits that will help keep your pool in its perfect condition by reading this article.

Test Strips

Pool test strips are also known as colorimetric pool testing kits. Although they are cheap and easy to use, the results are not as precise as those from a liquid or digital test kit. This assessment entails dipping the strip into a sample of pool water, then comparing the color to a provided chart. Because the color results on the strip can be interpreted differently depending on the person and their subjective view, accuracy becomes more of a concern when more than one person is testing the water. With just one test strip, these test kits often examine up to seven variables.

Actually, the cheapest and simplest way to test your pool water is with this type of pool testing kit. But if left open or exposed to moisture, they are easily contaminated. They might even have a limited range of what they can monitor. Additionally, they screen for fewer substances than liquid test kits, although being generally quite accurate. Use the strips before they expire and keep them dry to receive the most precise readings. To minimize contamination, avoid touching the ends of the strips before using them.

You can compare the test strip results for various chemicals with the table on the back of the bottle. This will determine whether they fall within the acceptable range. To assess the pool’s chemistry and the next stages, dip the complete test strip under water for a few seconds.  Wait a predetermined period of time, and align the colors with a key. And to enjoy a clean, safe, and healthy pool, compare it to the chart, and then adjust your levels accordingly.

Liquid Test Kits

A wider variety of testing possibilities are available with liquid test kits. They actually meet the majority of the testing requirements for pool owners and are the most widely used option. Even though they are more expensive than strips, they are more accurate. They also last for a long time—roughly a year of consistent use for most common kits. These testing kits actually come in 2-way, 4-way, or deluxe. They must be precise when adding liquid reagents, though, or you risk getting unreliable results. Titrimetric pool testing kits are another name for this kind of pool testing kits. Due to their high level of accuracy and relatively low price, these test kits are the most often used.

However, liquid test kits can be the most challenging to use. They require the user to take a sample of pool water and then apply the appropriate amount of drops of the water. This will calculate the pH and chemical balance in the pool. In order to evaluate pool water, the kits normally contain two to seven dropper bottles, each containing a different reagent.

Moreover, a liquid test kit is actually more expensive to buy than test strips. But then,  your results will be quite accurate when utilized properly. This means adding the proper quantity of each reagent to your vial of pool water. You will need to refill your drops frequently, though. The reagents and drops in the kit will lose their potency just like test strips do.

Digital Readers

If you have problems reading in color, digital readers are an excellent option because they are quick and precise. They are more expensive than other pool test kits, though. These kinds of pool testing kits examine pool water using a series of metallic probes. Users can quickly check pH levels or chlorine balance using the probes. This can be done after inserting them into a sample of pool water. The data from the probes is displayed on an electronic display.

But as these instruments often only have one or two measurement capabilities, users can find themselves needing separate digital testers for chlorine and pH levels. Additionally, they are often more expensive than test strips or liquid test kits.

In using digital readers, it first need to be turned on and set to the correct menu. And because they are ready to use immediately after the user submerges the metallic testing prongs into a sample of pool water, these digital ones are the best choice for a single-factor measurement, like pH or chlorine level. The results of the assessment will then automatically be displayed on the screen in a matter of seconds.

Key Takeaway

Pool testing kits may appear difficult to use, particularly if pool owners are unsure of how they operate, when to use them, and whether they need to be changed. However, pool testing kits often contain a variety of reagents that must be mixed with pool water samples in order to determine the pH and chemical balance of the water. Depending on the many compounds the test kit is intended to detect, some may only contain two reagents. Others may have as many as seven.

And once you have selected the ideal pool test kit for your requirements, it is also worthwhile to spend money on the best pool shock and best pool vacuum to guarantee that you will be able to take care of all of your pool maintenance requirements during the swimming season.