How often should you test pool water?
It depends on temperature, sanitizer system and pool use. Test more often during hot weather, after rain or heavy use, and always before a substantial adjustment.
Pool Explained
Maintenance throughout the season
How do you maintain a swimming pool?
Check water clarity, flow and the filter regularly. Test before making chemical adjustments, and adapt maintenance to the weather and pool use. The guides below explain each job in detail.
Regular maintenance
Checks while the pool is in use
Follow the same basic routine, but adjust how often you do it for the temperature, weather and number of swimmers.
- 1Check that you can clearly see the bottom and that the return jets are flowing normally.
- 2Remove leaves, empty baskets and check the water level before flow is affected.
- 3Test before adding chemicals and record the readings.
- 4Correct only what the test shows, using the pool volume and product instructions to calculate the dose.
- 5Monitor filter pressure and clean the filter according to its type, flow and manufacturer instructions.
- 6Bring forward your checks and tests after rain, very hot weather or heavy use.
Start here
Choose a guide for the job you need to do
The basics
Water chemistry
Understand how pH, sanitizer, alkalinity, stabilizer, circulation and filtration work together.
Learn more Calculating a doseHow much chlorine to add
Use the test result, water volume and product strength to calculate a dose. There is no one-size-fits-all scoop.
Learn more Daily and weekly maintenanceSummer pool maintenance
What to check in hot weather, after rain and when lots of people use the pool.
Learn more When something goes wrongPool problems
Find help for cloudy or green water, weak flow, foam, unusual smells or water loss.
Learn moreWater chemistry in practice
From the first fill to swimming after treatment
Shock treatment
Shocking a pool
When it is needed, how to calculate a dose and what to check before swimming again.
Learn more Getting your pool readyFilling a pool for the first time
What to inspect, test and adjust when filling a pool with fresh water.
Learn more Choosing a productChlorine tablets or granules
Check the active ingredient, concentration, stabilizer and application method, not just whether the product comes as tablets or granules.
Learn more Adjusting water chemistryHow to lower pH
Confirm the reading, check alkalinity and lower pH in controlled stages.
Learn more Swimming safelyWhen to swim after adding chlorine
Follow the label's waiting time, then retest and check the water is clear before swimming.
Learn moreSeasonal guides
Opening, summer care and closing for winter
Spring
How to open your pool after winter
Inspect the pool, reassemble the equipment and start filtration before treating the water.
Learn more Swimming seasonSummer pool maintenance
Adjust testing, cleaning and pump runtime for temperature, rain and pool use.
Learn more AutumnHow to close your pool for winter
Clean the pool and prepare the pipes, pump, filter, heater and cover for winter.
Learn moreTroubleshooting
Find help by symptom
Cloudy water
Check pH, free chlorine, flow and the filter before adding clarifier or flocculant.
Learn moreGreen water
Work out whether algae or metals are causing the colour, then choose the appropriate treatment.
Learn moreLow water flow
Start with the water level and baskets, then check the filter, valves and pump.
Learn morePool losing water
Compare water loss with evaporation before looking for a leak.
Learn moreCalculators
Calculate volume, chemical doses and pump runtime
Pool volume calculator
You need the actual water volume to calculate chemical doses and estimate filtration time.
Learn moreChemical dosing calculator
Estimate the amount needed using the water volume and product label.
Learn moreHow long to run the pump
Calculate one theoretical turnover from water volume and actual flow.
Learn morePool maintenance: common questions
Does clear water mean it is safe?
No. Clarity matters, but it does not tell you the pH or sanitizer level. You still need to test.
What should you check first when pool water turns cloudy?
Check whether you can see the bottom, test the water and inspect flow and filtration. Then decide whether an additional treatment is needed.
Should the pump run for the same time every day?
Not necessarily. Use volume and actual flow to estimate a starting schedule, then account for temperature, swimmers, clarity, filter condition and equipment requirements.