How often should I test my water during 100-degree summer days?

“In 100-degree weather, your pool chemistry can shift from ‘Perfect’ to ‘Problems’ in 48 hours.”

When the Austin heat dome settles in, your pool chemicals are being consumed at a record pace. If you’re only testing once a week, you’re leaving a 5-day window for algae to take over.

Expert Testing Schedule:

1. Chlorine and pH: Every 2-3 days. These are your primary lines of defense. In high heat, pH tends to rise rapidly, which makes your chlorine less effective.
2. Alkalinity: Once a week. This “buffers” your pH and prevents it from swinging wildly.
3. Calcium and CYA: Once a month. These don’t change as fast, but as we’ve discussed, evaporation makes them more concentrated over time.

Austin Detail: If you have a big pool party (common in the Hill Country), test your chlorine immediately after everyone leaves. A group of kids can wipe out your entire chlorine reserve in a single afternoon.

Sent from my iPhone while testing a pool in Northwest Hills.