3 Steps to Properly Balance Your Pool Water

Test and adjust alkalinity first Alkalinity buffers pH, so adjusting it first prevents you from chasing numbers all week. Use a drop test kit for accuracy, and aim for 80–120 ppm.

Adjust pH second Once alkalinity is set, dial in pH to 7.2–7.6. Wait 6 hours between chemical adjustments and retest before moving on.

Add chlorine last Chlorine only works effectively in balanced water. Adding it before alkalinity and pH are correct wastes chemicals and time.