Keeping your pool water balanced is one of the most important steps in proper pool maintenance. Whether you’re a new pool owner or a seasoned pro, understanding how to test pool water and adjust key chemistry levelsis essential. Balanced water helps your pool sanitizer work effectively, prevents algae growth, protects pool equipment, and keeps your water crystal clear and comfortable.
You can bring a sample to any of our stores for a fast, FREE, professional analysis or test your pool water at home using our free app. In just a few minutes, you’ll know exactly what your water needs to stay safe, balanced, and swim-ready.
Pool water chemistry can change quickly, especially in hot tubs and smaller pools, so regular testing is key. With accurate pool water test results, you can take the guesswork out of treatment. Our system provides a custom pool treatment plan based on your pool’s size and type, helping you maintain healthy water with ease.
We recommend that you test your water weekly, especially in the warm months of summer when the bather load is high and it is consistently hot. This is the best way to keep the levels from being too far out of balance. In winter we suggest every few weeks or so to keep your water from becoming too unbalanced. Even if you test your water at home with pool test strips, we recommend you bring a sample to Pinch A Penny every so often to ensure everything is matching up and our pool experts can make any recommendations.
Water testing is also important when reopening your pool after closing it for winter.
You can test your water at any time, but you should do it at the same time each week to ensure consistency. Don't collect a sample after adding chemicals. In addition, if there is heavy rain or a storm, we recommend you test your water afterward.
To ensure accurate results take your test from the deep end of the pool, or as deep as you can get in your spa. Ensure that the pump has been running for at least an hour prior to taking your sample and you are away from any floating chlorinators. Be sure to submerge the bottle to at least your elbow, as far into the pool as you can reach.
Bring it to your store as quickly as possible after drawing your sample. You can always get a bottle at the store if you don't have one!
If you have a salt pool, the professionals at Pinch A Penny can test your salt levels as well. Many of the parameters above are the same, but our water test software will recommend different products that work best with your pool. Even if your salt generator detects your saline levels, it's smart to confirm them with a water test regularly.
Our free in-store water testing checks all the key factors that impact your pool’s health: chlorine, pH, total alkalinity, stabilizer, calcium hardness, and total dissolved solids (TDS). Imbalanced levels can lead to algae, staining, equipment damage, or skin irritation, and often result in wasted chemicals and higher costs. Regular testing ensures your water stays safe, clear, and efficient, protecting both your pool and your wallet.
Time to shock your pool? Choose the strongest, freshest solution available: Suncoast Gold Liquid Chlorine. Filled daily in-store for maximum potency, this liquid chlorine works faster, costs up to 80% less than granular shock, and leaves no residue. Just clean, clear water.
Clear things up fast with Suncoast Ultimate Water Clarifier. This 4-in-1 formula naturally clears cloudy water, removes oils and scum, binds and removes metals to help prevent stains, and boosts your pool filter’s performance—all in one powerful dose.
Suncoast Super Shock is your all-in-one solution for crystal-clear, swim-ready water. This powerful 4-way formula kills bacteria, controls algae, eliminates organic contaminants, and restores clarity, without overstabilizing your pool.
Fight algae before it starts with Suncoast All In One Algaecide. This non-metallic, non-foaming formula kills and prevents green, mustard, black algae, and even pink bacteria, while doubling as a water clarifier for a sparkling clean pool. Perfect for weekly maintenance!
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