A pool attached with your house is obviously a cherry on the top. Surely, every member of your family would love to spend a quality pool-time. Isn’t it? But as a pool owner, you also have an additional duty of keeping your pool clean and safe for swimming. Maintaining a proper pool hygiene not only enhances your swimming experience, but also keeps water-borne diseases and infections at bay. This is where a professional pool inspection in Epping, VIC comes in aid.
There are many factors such as inadequate sanitation, imbalanced pH, and poor water circulation which can cause pool contamination. If not checked and clean properly, it can very often create respiratory issues, skin infections or ear infections. That is why regular water testing and proper maintenance are essential to make sure your pool safe and healthy for swimming.
Why Pool Water Testing Matters
Your pool is not just a tub of water; it is a part of our eco system too. If proper care is not given, it can become a breeding ground for bacteria, algae, mosquito and many other harmful organisms. When you test the water-quality, you get to know what is beneath the surface. Are the chemical levels of the water balanced? Or is the water free of harmful germs? – all these questions matter because unsafe water can lead to skin rashes, eye irritation, or even serious infections.
Importance Of Water Quality Testing
A frequent testing of your pool water is important to make sure you get an enjoyable and stress-free swimming experience. By conducting quality and chemical tests of your water, you can keep an eye on its contamination level. Regular testing also helps you catch problems early and save you from costly fixes or health scares. And if you are in Epping, a professional building and pool inspection in Epping can give you peace of mind by assessing the pool and letting you know the real condition of it.
Common Signs Of Pool Water Contamination
Before we go on to discuss further, it is essential to recognise the signs of contamination in pool water. These may include –
- Cloudy water
If your pool water appears murky or foggy, it may indicate a problem with contamination.
- Strong odour
A strong chemical or unpleasant odour from your pool could be a sign of contamination.
- Algae growth
The presence of algae in your pool water is another clear indication of contamination.
Key Elements To Test Your Pool
Testing your pool water may sound a bit daunting task, but in reality, during a building and pool inspection in Epping, it can be easily conducted.
Here are the things that are generally inspected:
- pH Levels
With the pH scale, we generally measure how acidic or alkaline the water is. Generally, it should be between 7.2 and 7.6. If it is too much lower than that, it can irritate your skin or corrode pool equipment. And if it is too high, the chloride will lose its power to kill germs.
- Chlorine Levels
You can consider chlorine as your pool’s bodyguard as it fights off the harmful bacteria and algae. The normal level should be 1-3 parts per million (ppm). If it is lower than that, and germs can thrive easily. And if it is too much, you swimming pool can smell like bleaching.
- Total Alkalinity
This keeps your pH stable, acting like a buffer. Keep it between 80-120 ppm to avoid wild pH swings.
- Calcium Hardness
Hard water can leave deposits on your pool surfaces, while soft water can damage them. Look for 200-400 ppm.
- Cyanuric Acid
This protects chlorine from breaking down in sunlight. Levels should be 30-50 ppm—any higher, and chlorine becomes less effective.
Testing these regularly keeps your pool safe and sparkling. If you are unsure about doing it yourself, a pool inspection in Epping can include water quality checks as part of a broader safety review.
Common Tips To Keep Your Pool Safe
Here are some of the important tips to keep your pool safe from hazards.
- Conduct Cleaning On Periodic Basis
Fallen leaves, small bugs and other organisms can alter the water chemistry. So, if not regularly, but on periodic basis you should clean the surface of the water and the water filter.
- Add Chlorine
At least once in every couple of weeks, add ‘dose’ of chlorine to kill the harmful bacteria or algae.
- Use Pool Cover
Yes, it is true that not every pool owner can use a pool cover specifically for pool’s shape and design. But still, you can use a pool cover to reduce the chance of debris and other chemicals to get mixed with the water. It also keeps the fallen leaves and dusts at bay and keeps the water clean when the pool is not being used.
- Use Chemicals Sensibly
The more is better, but not in this case. Follow a secure guideline or experts view while using chemicals in the water.
The Role Of Professional Building and Pool Inspections
Yes, water testing by yourself in home is good. But many a times, it may not tell the whole picture. For this, you should go for a professional building and pool inspection in Epping as it can go beyond the conventional water quality test. These professional tests can tell you if your pool is structurally safe or not. It can also check for cracked tiles, faulty filters, or any electrical hazards. Besides, a pool inspection in Epping can evaluate if your pool is compliant with pool safety guidelines by VBA (Victorian Building Authority).
How Often Should You Conduct Tests?
Yes, we know that life nowadays is quite busy and it is quite easy to forget about the pool maintenance. But ignoring the issue can put your highly invested ‘pool’ in great peril. It is not just about the ‘clear water’, but about ‘peace of mind’ as well. So, for most pools – test the water at least once a week. Also, if there a heavy rain, dust storm or more ‘frequent use’ than normal, you should check the water immediately after the incident. For more precise result, conduct a professional Building and Pool Inspection in Epping by an experienced pool inspector like Certified Building and Pool Inspection at least once a year. They can spot issues you might miss, like leaks, faulty pumps, or structural concerns, while also testing water quality with precision.