Free pool water testing in Claremont: What happens when you bring a sample in

We offer free pool water testing at our Claremont store (211 Stirling Highway), open 7 days a week from 9am to 5pm. Bring a sample of your pool water in a clean container and we will test it, explain the results, and tell you what to adjust. Here is how to take an accurate sample and what to expect in store.

Why test your water instead of guessing?

Most pool problems start as a chemistry issue you cannot see yet. Adding chlorine to a pool with high pH wastes chemicals. Likewise, adding acid to a pool with low alkalinity can make water balance worse.

A professional test pinpoints which reading is out so you buy and add only what the pool actually needs. It is cheaper than guessing, and far cheaper than clearing a green pool.

How do I take a pool water sample?

• Use a clean container with a lid: Rinse it out with pool water first, not tap water. Any clean bottle works.
• Take it from elbow depth: Turn the container upside down, push it down to about elbow depth, then turn it upright to fill. Surface water does not give a true reading.
• Stay away from return jets and skimmers: Water near the returns has just passed through the chlorinator and filter, so it will not reflect the overall pool balance.
• Do not sample straight after adding chemicals: Wait until the pump has run for a few hours so everything mixes through properly.
• Bring your sample in on the same day: Keep it out of direct sunlight, as chlorine readings drop the longer a sample sits.
• Test spas separately: If you have a spa, bring a separate sample. Spa water behaves differently and requires its own test reading.

What does the in-store test check?

Our in-store counter test checks the core balance readings that decide whether your water is safe and comfortable to swim in. This includes pH, total alkalinity, and free chlorine, along with calcium hardness, stabiliser, and salt levels that basic home test strips cannot measure accurately.

What happens with my results?

Our Claremont team will walk through each reading with you, explain any out-of-range numbers, and give you a straightforward, step-by-step dosage plan. If you need chemicals, you can pick them up while you are in store.

The two key numbers to remember are pH between 7.2 and 7.6 and alkalinity between 80 and 120 ppm. For a complete guide on what every reading means, see our guide on raising or lowering pH and alkalinity.

Home test kit or in-store test?

We recommend using both. A home kit or test strips are ideal for quick weekly checks of pH and chlorine between visits. An in-store test gives you the full chemical picture and is worth doing at the start of the swimming season, whenever the water looks cloudy, or if a clarity issue will not clear. Shop pool water testing kits and pool chemicals online, with fast delivery across Perth and regional WA.

Where to get your pool water tested in Perth

Best Price Pool Equipment is a local, family-owned pool shop at 211 Stirling Highway, Claremont. We are open 7 days a week, 9am to 5pm, and water testing is always free. Check our contact page for holiday trading hours before you head down.