The importance of good pool water analysis for a worry-free season!
A precise pool water analysis is the key to a successful swimming season. By knowing the chemical composition of your pool water, you can avoid imbalances in pH, alkalinity, or sanitizer, which can lead to problems such as cloudy water, irritations, or algae growth.
However, even the best pool water analysis cannot yield good results without a properly collected water sample. This is a step often overlooked by pool owners, yet essential.
To be reliable, the water sample must accurately represent the entire basin. A contaminated or poorly collected sample can completely skew the analysis, leading you to use the wrong products or spend unnecessarily. No one wants that!
Whether you perform a pool water analysis at home or at our Piscine Hippocampe branch, be sure to collect the sample correctly. This will ensure you receive accurate recommendations to keep your pool clean, clear, and safe all summer long.
The right container for a reliable pool water analysis
When it comes time to perform a pool water analysis, the container you use to collect your sample is just as important as the quality of the sample itself. A poor container can easily contaminate the water, skew the analysis results, and lead to inaccurate recommendations... which can result in improper product use or unnecessary expenses.
Why is the container so important?
The swimming pool water analysis is based on very precise chemical parameters. If the sample is contaminated by soap residues, chemicals, or even traces of soda, it will skew the results and could mask a real problem in your pool (or create a new one!).
That is why it is essential to use a clean, safe, and suitable container.
✅ What container should be used for water analysis?
Clean plastic container, ideally 500 ml to 1 liter.
The container must be rinsed with pool water before taking the sample.
It must never have contained chemicals, soap, beverages, or scented substances.
🚫 Absolutely to avoid :
Glass bottles (risk of breakage and contamination).
Bottles that contained sugary or carbonated drinks.
Unrinsed recycled water bottles.
Containers that have been used for other household products.
Hippocampe Pool Tip
To facilitate your pool water analysis, Piscine Hippocampe provides you with a free 8 oz analysis bottle (about 250 ml), specially designed to collect water samples without risk of contamination.
💬 Stop by the store to pick one up in advance — it's the best way to ensure reliable test results on the first try.
📌 In summary:
A clean container = a more accurate pool water analysis.
Avoid anything that could contaminate your sample.
Always use a dedicated container, or ask for your free bottle in store.
📍 Where to collect water for a reliable pool water analysis?
To obtain an accurate swimming pool water analysis that is representative of your entire pool, the location where you take your sample is just as important as the container or the method used.
A poorly positioned sample — too close to the surface, next to the skimmer, or in an area with strong water flow — can skew the results and give you an incorrect chemical reading. Here's how to do it right:
✅ Ideal depth for taking a water sample
The ideal is to collect the sample about 18 inches below the surface, which is at elbow height when you have your arm extended in the water. At this depth, the water is generally better mixed and more representative of the overall composition of the basin.
🚫 Never draw water directly from the surface, as it is often influenced by sunscreens, debris, or temperature variations.
🌊 Recommended spot in the pool
Stay away from skimmers, water return jets, or any turbulence zones.
If your pool has multiple depth levels, always favor the deepest area. This part is more stable in temperature and less subject to chemical variations caused by the sun or swimmers.
When to take a water sample for an accurate pool water analysis?
The moment you take your water sample has a direct impact on the reliability of your pool water analysis. To obtain accurate and representative results, it is essential to choose the right time.
🔄 Let the water run for at least 48 hours
Before performing a pool water analysis, make sure that your pool water has circulated continuously for at least 48 hours. This is especially important at the beginning of the season, because during winter, several chemical elements such as calcium, stabilizer, and salt can settle at the bottom of the pool.
Good circulation ensures that the water is well mixed and that the sample will accurately reflect the true chemical balance of your pool.
☔️ Avoid taking a sample after the rain
Rain is one of the main causes of skewed results during a pool water analysis. Indeed, rainwater generally has a low pH and a very low alkalinity, which can temporarily unbalance your pool.
🔁 If you perform an analysis too soon after rain, the sample may not represent the entire pool — because the rainwater has not yet fully mixed.
⏳ Wait after the rain
If it has just rained or rain is expected shortly, it is recommended to wait at least 8 hours before taking your sample. This allows the rainwater to mix evenly with the pool water, ensuring a reliable and representative pool water analysis.
📍 Summary of best practices
✅ Let the pump run for at least 48 hours before sampling.
✅ Wait 8 hours after rain before doing a pool water analysis.
🚫 Avoid taking a sample during or just after the rain.
🧊 The fresher, the better: mistakes to avoid for a good pool water analysis
For your pool water analysis to be reliable and representative, it is crucial to collect a fresh water sample and bring it quickly for testing. A sample exposed to heat or stored for too long can skew the results and lead to unnecessary or incorrect chemical adjustments.
🚫 What you absolutely must not do:
Even with the best intentions, some common practices can compromise your pool water analysis. Here is what to absolutely avoid:
Never leave your water sample in the sun or in a hot car.
→ Heat accelerates the degradation of chemical components in the sample, which can skew the results.Do not take a sample just before heavy rain.
→ Rainwater temporarily alters the chemical balance of the basin. Wait for the water to stabilize before sampling.Do not take a sample immediately after a shock treatment or oxidation.
→ These products radically change the chemistry of the water for a few hours. Wait 24 to 48 hours before testing.Do not bring your sample to a retailer if you do not use their chemicals.
→ Recommendations may vary depending on the brands. For a personalized pool water analysis, it is best to stick with the same product range, such as those offered at Piscine Hippocampe.
✅ Our tips for an effective pool water analysis
Test your pool water at home every week, using a reliable test kit.
Bring a sample to the branch once a month for a complete analysis with our specialists.
Always take a fresh sample, transport it out of the sun, and have it analyzed quickly after collection.
A good pool water analysis routine, combined with suitable products and professional advice, ensures clear, balanced, and pleasant water... all summer long! 🌞💧
Little reminder
👨🔬 Home pool water analysis: your weekly role
As a pool owner, you play a crucial role in maintaining water quality. A regular pool water analysis, at least once a week, is essential to ensure clean, safe, and pleasant water for all swimmers.
Two parameters must be closely monitored:
Chlorine (or other sanitizer)
And pH
A good balance between these elements not only prevents the formation of algae but also skin and eye irritations.
🧪 Home test: strips or drops?
To perform a pool water analysis at home, you have two popular choices:
✅ Test strips: quick, easy to read, ideal for regular monitoring.
✅ Drop tests: a bit more precise, recommended for owners who want more detailed control.
📌 Regardless of the option chosen, test products must be replaced each season. Indeed, test strips and chemical reagents lose effectiveness over time, which can skew the results.
💡 Hippocampe Pool Tip
We recommend testing your water at home every week, then bringing a water sample to the store once a month for a complete pool water analysis with our experts. It's the perfect combination for a balanced pool all summer long!
