Accurate Pool Water Testing and Chemical Balancing

For most pool owners, the best approach is a mix of quick at-home tests and regular professional tests. At home, you can use test strips or a liquid / tablet kit to check pH, chlorine and alkalinity. For a full health check, bring a sample into Direct Pool Supplies for FREE in-store water testing, or book a Water Test & Treat visit where our technicians use advanced spin-test and photometer systems to analyse your water in detail.

Direct Pool Supplies recommends testing your pool or spa water at least once every two weeks, and more often after heavy use, storms or big temperature changes. Many owners choose to do quick home tests weekly and then drop in a sample or book a professional service every few weeks to keep everything perfectly balanced.

You’ve got two options:

• FREE in-store testing: Collect a sample (arm’s-length below the surface), take it to any participating Direct Pool Supplies store, and our team will run it through our testing system while you wait, then print out tailored treatment instructions.
• On-site Water Test & Treat: Book a service visit and a technician will come to you, test the water on-site and add the correct chemicals or adjust equipment as needed to get your pool back in balance. 

Our technicians use professional test equipment to measure pH, total alkalinity, calcium hardness, sanitiser (chlorine/bromine), stabiliser (cyanuric acid), salt and metals such as copper, then diagnose any issues with balance or clarity. Based on the results, they dose the pool with the right balancers, sanitisers and specialty chemicals and can also check that your pump, filter and chlorinator are working properly. The goal is safe, comfortable water that’s crystal clear and easier to maintain. 

Use a clean plastic bottle or sample container and:

1. Take the sample away from skimmers, returns and steps.
2. Hold the bottle upside down, reach to about elbow depth, then turn it upright to fill.
3. Test it as soon as possible, or bring it straight to the store (don’t leave it in a hot car).

Collecting the sample this way gives a more accurate snapshot of your pool’s overall chemistry. 

In-store water testing at Direct Pool Supplies is free, and you’ll only pay for any chemicals you choose to purchase based on the results. For on-site Water Test & Treat visits, pricing depends on your location, pool size, how many adjustments are needed and whether extra work (like cleaning or equipment checks) is requested. The easiest way to know is to request a Water Test & Treat quote for your postcode from the service page. 

Home test strips and kits are perfect for quick checks and day-to-day adjustments, but they can miss underlying issues like high hardness, metals or stabiliser build-up. Our Water Test & Treat service uses calibrated lab-style equipment, checks a broader range of parameters, and includes expert diagnosis plus on-the-spot treatment – so you’re not guessing which products to add or how much to use. It’s the easiest way to keep your water safe, balanced and hassle-free.

We accept most payment methods. Contact us if you're unsure of your preferred payment method.