How to Test for Phosphates in Your Pool

Maintaining a swimming pool can be an overwhelming process since there are steps that you have to take daily, weekly, monthly, and more. These steps are important, however, to prevent chemicals from becoming out of balance and to keep phosphates from overgrowing.

You can test for phosphates in your pool using a supply kit ordered online or purchased at your local pool store. If the phosphate level is too high, you likely have algae and debris in your pool. You can use a phosphate eliminator or pool shock treatment to lower the phosphate level in your pool. 

If you have never tested for phosphates in your pool but notice that the water is green and cloudy, you will need to know how to do so. Let’s look at what phosphates are and how you can test for them.

What Are Phosphates?

Phosphates are materials that come from nature that are introduced to your swimming pool through organic items such as dead leaves, dirt, certain bugs, and other chemicals. These phosphates, while not extremely dangerous, should be removed from your pool as soon as possible.

When phosphates are introduced into your swimming pool, you will begin to notice the color of the water change. Additionally, this leaves open the potential for various types of algae to grow on the surface of your pool.

What Causes High Phosphates in a Pool?

Woman holding glass tube with sample of swimming pool water to check PH level outdoors

Overall, the causes of high phosphates in a swimming pool come mostly through the introduction of debris. When your pool is not cleaned regularly, these bits and pieces can build up, causing high levels of phosphates to accumulate.

Over time, if the phosphates and debris are not removed from the pool, algae can begin to grow at a rapid rate. The more debris accumulated, the higher the levels of phosphates are in the water of your swimming pool.

Not only is the greenish coloring of phosphates in your pool unattractive, but they can also be hazardous to your overall health. Additionally, when algae begin to grow on the surface of your pool, it can take much longer to get rid of it.

How Do You Test Your Pool for Phosphates?

Swimming pool owners are typically the first to say how much work it takes to maintain their unit over time. This is especially true when they choose to do the maintenance themselves instead of paying for a service technician to do it.

Keep in mind that if you have hired a pool technician to service your pool regularly, they should be testing for all varieties of chemicals. This includes testing regularly for phosphates that may have been introduced into your water.

If you have chosen to maintain your swimming pool yourself, you should know that doing so can take some time and effort. You must research to understand what you need to be doing regularly.

To test for phosphates in your swimming pool, you can most likely find a kit(on Amazon) at your local pool supply or hardware store. When you purchase your other kits for testing various chemicals, you may also want to make sure you pick up one of these.

Testing for phosphates is as easy to do as testing for the other chemicals in your pool, especially if you take a sample to a pool supply store. Since they will test using their state-of-the-art testing equipment, you will get the most accurate results.

Does Chlorine Get Rid of Phosphates?

It is important to understand that the addition of chlorine alone is not enough to get rid of phosphates in your swimming pool. While chlorine is known to poison algae that are caused by phosphates, there are other factors to also consider.

Another thing that you should consider is that high levels of phosphates can alter the effectiveness of chlorine overall. This is because when the phosphates are at high levels, chlorine has to work much faster to do its job. Chlorine does not get rid of phosphates although it does a great job at poisoning algae growth.

How Do You Get Rid of High Phosphates in a Pool? 

Swimming pool cleaner

If you are experiencing high levels of phosphates in your swimming pool, you will need to learn more about getting rid of them. While the process is not extremely difficult, you should follow the recommendations of experts who know what to do.

Test the Pool’s Water

The first step in getting rid of high levels of phosphates in your swimming pool is to have it tested to make sure that they are the problem. Keep in mind that there are several options you can choose from when checking the levels in your pool.

If you choose to test your pool water for phosphates, you can most likely find a testing kit at your local pool supply store. While using these kits can be accurate, they may not give you the most accurate results overall.

Because of this, most experts recommend that you bring a sample of your pool’s water to the pool supply store to be tested. Doing this can give you a more accurate reading of the phosphate levels in your water.

Another way you can have the levels of phosphates tested is to hire a professional pool technician who will come to your home to test the water. This will give you the most accurate results, and then they can help you to decide what to do next.

Use a Phosphate Eliminator

The great news about having high levels of phosphates in your backyard swimming pool is that there is an easy fix to it. This step is all about purchasing a phosphate eliminator for your swimming pool.

Phosphate eliminators are typically added to your pool’s skimmer box so that it has the best chance to enter the filtration system. Once in the system, the phosphate eliminator will make its way to all parts of your swimming pool.

It may be important to note that when using this product, you should always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. This will ensure that you are not causing more damage to your swimming pool than the high levels of phosphates will provide.

Shock Your Pool

Another important step in effectively getting rid of the high level of phosphates that can wreak havoc on your pool is to shock your pool after eliminating them. This is a step that you most likely take regularly, but is important to do at this time.

Keep in mind that high levels of phosphates can cause the chlorine of your pool to be used up much faster than normal. Because of this, it can cause build-up that can be taken care of with a shock of the pool.

Keep a Close Eye on Your Pool

Overall, keeping your pool rid of phosphates is not entirely possible completely. However, if you keep a close eye on your pool, you can be sure that you can eliminate them before things get out of control.

Final Thoughts on How to Test for Phosphates in Your Pool

The bottom line when it comes to testing for phosphates in your pool is that it can be done either by yourself or by a professional. It is always important to remember that having a professional take a look is always the best way to ensure that your pool stays in the best condition possible.

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