Testing the water in your pool is both an important and a fun task. Not only will you be able to determine its chemical make-up, but you can also do some simple checks for bacteria or parasites. However, there are some limitations to the amount of time that you can leave the water sample before testing.
The general rule of thumb is that the water in your pool can remain unaltered for seven days. After that, the quality starts to deteriorate rapidly. The following are some of the factors that affect the stability of the water in your pool:
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Heat
The amount of time that the water in your pool can remain stable increases as the temperature drops. For example, if your pool is at room temperature, you can leave the water sample for up to 28 days before testing. However, if it is at 77 degrees Fahrenheit, you will only be able to use the water for up to three days before it begins to deteriorate.
Light
Even though the quality of the water in your pool starts to deteriorate after only a few days, it is still possible to use the water for some leisure activities. However, if you expose the water to light, the quality will start to deteriorate even faster.
You should protect the sample from light by covering it with aluminum foil or placing it in the shade. This is especially important if you expose the water sample to direct sunlight. As the light intensity increases, the number of bacteria and parasites also increases. The good news is that you can control these bacteria and parasites with some simple sanitizing treatments. Adding a few drops of liquid soap on a regular basis will help keep your pool clean.
Alcohol
Alcohol has a similar effect on the stability of the water in your pool to light. This means that it will speed up the rate at which the water deteriorates. The amount of time that the water can stay unaltered decreases as the amount of alcohol increases. Your pool will start to deteriorate as soon as you add any alcohol to it, even if it is in small amounts. The most stable pool water is achieved when the alcohol concentration is below 0.5%. However, if the concentration is higher than this, the quality will start to decline. Luckily, you can still use the water for recreational purposes up until this point. Just make sure that you do not get any alcohol-based sanitizer or cleaner within six feet of the pool.
Dissolved Gas
This is another factor that will affect the stability of the water in your pool. If any of the gases that are soluble in water are present in excess, they will cause pockets of instability in the water. Most of these gases are highly toxic and can cause serious health problems if ingested. These gases include:
- Chlorine
- Fluorine
- Hydrogen
- Mercaptan
- Nitrogen
- Ozone
- Phosphine
- Sulfur dioxide
The most common of these gases is chlorine. This is an alkaline gas that is used in industrial settings as a bleaching agent. However, it is also found in many home-pool cleaners. Chlorine is extremely effective at eliminating bacteria and parasites from your pool, as well as keeping the water looking clean. At certain concentrations, it can also increase the rate of plant growth.
Oxidation
Oxidation is the process by which water molecules lose their hydrogen atoms. This often occurs through contact with air, sunlight, or both. The presence of oxygen is what makes the water molecule unstable and ready to break down. The process is very similar to rusting. As oxidation occurs, the overall appearance of your pool will deteriorate. The water in your pool will start to appear cloudy as the particles that make up the water break down. Luckily, this phenomenon is fairly slow and does not affect the quality of the water in your pool too much. Still, it is best to keep an eye on the water to ensure that this does not happen.
Keep all of these factors in mind and you will know how long you can leave your water sample before testing. Make sure to sanitize your pool on a regular basis, and test the water on a regular basis as well.