Analyzing your pool water regularly is the best way to preserve the chemical balance of your pool and avoid consequences such as cloudy water, algae or premature wear on your pool equipment.
Well-balanced water reduces the risk of irritation, prevents algae growth and optimizes the effectiveness of cleaning products.
At Trévi Châteauguay, we offer a free in-store water analysis service to help you keep full control over your pool throughout the season.
Why Test Your Pool Water Regularly?
Poorly balanced water can lead to multiple problems, both for people using the pool and your facilities. Without regular monitoring, they are exposed to:
- Algae growth and cloudy, uninviting water.
- Skin and eye irritation, especially in children and sensitive people.
- Reduced effectiveness of treatment products.
- Corrosion or premature wear of equipment (canvas, pump, heat pump, etc.).
- Additional costs related to the repair or replacement of damaged items.
Analyzing the water regularly helps to act quickly and avoid these problems before they get worse.
How Often to Test Your Pool Water?
Water quality can vary quickly depending on use and weather conditions. To keep water clear, safe and well-balanced, it is recommended to do tests at different key times of the season.
At the Beginning of the Season and Pool Opening
We recommend testing your pool water 24-48 hours after adding the pool opening kit. This delay gives the treatments time to disperse properly, ensuring a more accurate reading of your water parameters at the start of the season.
Once or Twice a Week During the Season
During the summer, test your pool water at least once a week, or even twice during periods of high heat or heavy use. This makes it possible to quickly detect a potential imbalance and adjust the treatment before it becomes a problem.
It helps keep your water clean and clear, by supporting disinfection and preventing algae or cloudiness.
After Heavy Rain or Added Water
Heavy rain can dilute products, vary pH or introduce contaminants. The same thing applies after partially filling your pool: a quick analysis makes it possible to adjust the treatment if necessary.
Before Pool Closure
Before wintering, a final test is important to stabilize the water. A good chemical balance reduces the risk of damage during the winter while making it easier to open the pool the following spring.
Analytical Methods: In-house Tests or Professional Services?
There are several ways to test your pool water. Here’s what you need to know to choose the method that best suits your needs.
In-house Tests: Test Strips and Test Kits
Several tools are available to test the water yourself:
- Reagent strips to be dipped directly into the water
- Drip kit with coloured reagents
- Digital testers, sometimes embedded in applications
The drip kit is generally more reliable than the strips. It makes it possible to measure parameters with better accuracy, especially for pH and chlorine levels. Electronic testers can also offer good accuracy, but their effectiveness depends on the maintenance of the device and its calibration. They represent a larger investment.
These in-house methods are ideal for regular monitoring. They make it possible to quickly detect a change in the water balance and act without delay, especially in high season.
Why Professional Water Testing?
An in-store test offers a more accurate and complete analysis than in-house tests. It makes it possible to measure several key parameters (pH, chlorine, alkalinity, etc.) with reliability, taking into account:
- the type of treatment used (chlorine, salt, bromine);
- water temperature;
- pool usage;
- and equipment in place (filtration, heat pump, etc.).
This type of analysis is particularly recommended at the beginning of the season, after heavy rain, or when the water remains unstable despite your own treatments.
Products and Recommendations Based on Your Pool Water Test Results
In addition to the results, a professional test comes with concrete recommendations: adjust the pH, add a stabilizer, correct alkalinity… Our advisors guide you step by step to restore the balance of your water.
The necessary products are available in-store, depending on the type of treatment and the needs of your pool. This helps avoid costly mistakes and act quickly, with the right products.
Free Pool Water Testing: Discover Our Free Pool Water Analysis Service
Take advantage of our free in-store water analysis service, available to all pool or spa owners.
Here’s how it works:
- Bring a water sample (between 250 ml and 1 L), taken about 30 cm below the surface.
- Our specialists analyze water with state-of-the-art equipment: pH, alkalinity, hardness, chlorine, stabilizer, copper, iron, TDS, etc.
- You receive clear results on the spot accompanied by personalized recommendations.
Our advisors tell you the adjustments to be made according to your type of treatment, and direct you to adapted in-store products to correct the imbalances.
No appointment needed! Just bring your sample to the store!
