The order you balance your chemicals in is just as important as the quantities you use. For safe and accurate results, you should always test in the following order:

1. Start by testing alkalinity and making adjustments as needed
2. Next, test and adjust pH levels as needed
3. Third, test and adjust calcium hardness as needed

After taking these three steps, you can add sanitizer, test CYA levels, measure TDS levels, and shock the pool, as described above.

It may take up to 24 hours to balance pool chemicals properly. The time required can increase or decrease depending on factors like the size and volume of the pool, the quality and condition of the water, whether you’re shocking the pool and how many adjustments need to be made using chemicals like sodium bisulfate or calcium chloride. For instance, if you raise the pool’s alkalinity by adding baking soda, you should wait a minimum of six hours before retesting alkalinity levels.

Whether you’re using your swimming pool for the very first time, or opening up for the season, you’ll need to take some extra precautions to ensure that you’re balancing pool chemicals correctly. For example, if your pool has been closed since winter, you might encounter thick algae on reopening day, which could require treatment with double or even triple the normal amount of pool shock.

If you’re opening a new or seasonal pool, we recommend consulting a pool dealer for assistance testing and balancing your water, which can be a tricky process even for experienced pool owners.

Failing to test (and balance) your water can lead to a host of problems. From skin rashes caused by excessive chlorination, to cloudy water caused by high pH or alkaline levels, to low alkalinity causing your pH levels to fluctuate or “bounce” unpredictably, to low calcium hardness corroding your valuable pool equipment, there are numerous issues that you can avoid simply by testing and adjusting your water. All it takes is a pack of pool strips, a few pool balancing chemicals like muriatic acid, and maybe a little help from your pool dealer.

Want to dig deeper into water chemistry? Learn more about why correct pool chemistry is important, then contact your local Latham Independent Builder for assistance. With thousands of premium quality, American-made pools and pool products to choose from, Latham is ready to meet all of your indoor, outdoor, inground, vinyl and fiberglass pool needs.

Commercially available pool test strips offer an easy way to regularly test your water chemistry.

1. Hold the strip underwater for 2 to 3 seconds
2. Remove the testing strip from the water, be careful to keep the padded side facing up
3. Wait 15 seconds. Do not shake any excess water from the strip, as this may interfere with accurate results
4. Compare your strip against the label on the package until you find the closest match. You may need to adjust pH or other levels, which we explain below

A pool test kit involves collecting a small sample of water from your pool. The color of your sample will change color depending on alkalinity, pH, and chlorine levels when mixed with a reagent.

1. Collect a water sample from at least 18” beneath the surface of your swimming pool
2. Measuring as precisely as possible, fill the test vials according to the kit’s instructions. Be sure to rinse out each test cell with pool water before using
3. Add the correct amount of reagent to each tube, following the kit’s directions carefully. You may need to gently shake the sample once it has been sealed shut
4. Compare the sample colors against the label on the testing kit, looking for the closest match

Many pool cleaning products contain chemicals that can be hazardous or even deadly if stored improperly. As the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) points out, various pool chemicals “can potentially be highly reactive and capable of generating high temperatures, as well as releasing toxic vapors if improperly handled or stored.”

Avoid fumes, fires, chemical reactions, and other hazards by following the storage instructions on each cleaner carefully. The ideal storage space should be well ventilated, clearly organized, free of leaks or spills, and protected from excessive heat or sunlight.