Best Way to Test Water at a Pool Store

[poolstoreguy]

I just took over as manager at a small, independent pool store and am wondering if there is anyway we can improve our testing procedures. Previous manager used taylor reagents and would test for free chlorine, ph, alkalinity, and cya. Also would test salt on salt pools. Occasionally they would test calcium if the customer's situation gave them reason to test it.

If nothing else, I want to add total chlorine, TDS, regular calcium testing and I'm on the fence about phosphates (that test is more expensive, not part of the taylor pack).

I'm also considering other options, such as the lamotte spindisk (if the budget allows) or a different, more affordable digital reader (e.g. ColorQ, Xpress Flex). I am confident doing the taylor droplets myself but ensuring that every employee will do it right every time, with seasonal turnover, leaves me with less confidence that each customer is getting a fully accurate test. A more automated system like this seems easier to train people on, and if I ensure that it is regularly cleaned, calibrated, etc., that might make for a more consistently accurate water test.

I have been reading this forum for a while and I know the prevailing attitude has little faith in pool store water tests, so I am curious how you would make this process as accurate and reliable as possible.

Any suggestions are appreciated. Thank you!

 

[kimkats]

Does your FC test go over 5ppm?

 

[poolstoreguy]

Does your FC test go over 5ppm?

I think so, the color comparison tube it comes with goes up to 10Cl and 20Br. It's R0001 and R0002.

 

[kimkats]

That is not a good enough test. It is more a "is there chlorine in the water?" kind of test. The BEST FC test is the powder test as seen here:

FAS-DPD Chlorine Test

The FAS-DPD chlorine test is used to find the level of Free Chlorine in the … Read more…

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[poolstoreguy]

That is not a good enough test. It is more a "is there chlorine in the water?" kind of test. The BEST FC test is the powder test as seen here:

FAS-DPD Chlorine Test

The FAS-DPD chlorine test is used to find the level of Free Chlorine in the … Read more…

www.troublefreepool.com

I do like the look of that test. The added time would probably be manageable given the current traffic in the store. Are any of those more automated options reliable? Are there stats to look at? I've heard anecdotal evidence but would like to be able to understand how inaccurate they are, how often, under what conditions, etc.

 

[kimkats]

IF they are calibrated on a VERY regular bases AND the tests are done using care then they might work okay. I don't have any stats just real life as it pertains to my pool and the tests I had performed on the SAME water at 4 different stores...................all had WAY different results and the fixes, even though I told them the water looked fine, ranged from $50 to $175 in product

 

[newdude]

Hey PSG and Welcome !!

Are any of those more automated options reliable? Are there stats to look at? I've heard anecdotal evidence but would like to be able to understand how inaccurate they are, how often, under what conditions, etc.

I can’t point to any specific stats, but many many members have taken the same sample to several stores which all gave different results. There are several factors involved. The machines need to be calibrated frequently, the summer hire employees in many areas need to take care with the samples to not contaminate the results and then the same kid is usually the one doling out advice, based on industry standards that haven’t been updated since the 80s.

The ‘free tests’ are designed to sell products and be a cash cow for the store/chain, not to be accurate and/or in the customers best interests.

 

[kimkats]

The ‘free tests’ are designed to sell products and be a cash cow for the store/chain, not to be accurate and/or in the customers best interests.

This says it all!! ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

[newdude]

Ha !!! I didn’t see Kim snuck in on me as I was tying.

So yea. What she said.

 

[poolstoreguy]

Thanks a lot. I'll work on this with the owner. I have worked at pool stores where they try to sell as much product as possible to each customer, and your analysis is about right. At this store, it's a bit slower with a loyal customer base, and I think it would be in our interest to give them the best results, keep them happy, and hope they'll buy their floats etc here rather than amazon. Thanks again!

 

[Leebo]

Sounds like the owners so far have the right mindset…..put the focus on the customer and the customer will repay you with loyalty. That’s great the place has that correct mindset!

Is there a way you can post a list of all the test reagents they already do have and use? I suspect adding the fas/DPD test really won’t add much time or expense to things overall.

 

[BMerrill]

Become that different pool store.
Provide education classes about total pool care, equipment maintenance, pool opening and closing, SLAMing, and how to do their own tests properly. Testing at the pool store is to confirm when issues arise. They need to understand it needs to be afresh sample in a clean sealed glass bottle, not one taken last night that's sat in the hot car most of the day.
Introduce them to TFP and how to use Pool Math. Keeping a log is invaluable.
Be honest and upfront with your customers. A satisfied customer will tell 2-5 people; a dissatisfied customer will tell everyone they know.

 

[ajw22]

Problem with pool store testing if reagent testing is done is inadequate cleaning of vials between tests that contaminates test samples and leads to inaccurate test results.

Rushing the tests and squirting reagents into the sample rather then slowly letting each drop form and fall off the tip while using a speedstirrer also contributes to inaccurate test results.

Employees need to be properly trained and given the proper equipment and setup for accurate testing.

Water Testing Errors - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[wireform]

Make sure there's a sink behind the counter where the testing is done with quality water to properly rinse and give the client a fare deal. Have enough regents on hand at all times so there's no skimping test wise. Be prepared if you advise, give good guidance your name will fly far and wide and soon enough it'll set you apart from the rest to be known as the large independent pool store with testing and guidance like no other with lines out the door.

 

[Homebrewale]

Instead of providing testing, maybe your emphasis should be selling the customers the right test kit.

 

[newdude]

+1 !!! And teach them to use it being their go-to source that they could trust for whatever they *actually* need. You would only test the few who needed extra help or double checking.

 

[BowserB]

I see the appeal of in store testing, both to the store operator and pool owners. Of the half dozen pool owners I know, none do water testing to the extent and care I do, and most count on the pool store tests to help them. A couple use strips, and a one uses the color change test for FC and pH. All but one use a weekly pool service. One of those who uses the strips told me that to LOWER the pH he just uses aeration via spa spillover and water falls, rather than spending money on muriatic acid! I mentioned that I though he might want to double check that approach, but he was happy.

My point is that while I really like the idea of selling proper test kits and offering occasional workshop training, I don't think I am a typical pool owner--nor are most people here. You might try polling your customers about the idea, though. Otherwise, you could promote the quality and accuracy of your tests over typical pool store. And forget TDS and phosphates. Nobody really cares, and with the other things right, they also really don't matter--another thing you could point out to your customers.

 

[poolstoreguy]

Sounds like the owners so far have the right mindset…..put the focus on the customer and the customer will repay you with loyalty. That’s great the place has that correct mindset!

Is there a way you can post a list of all the test reagents they already do have and use? I suspect adding the fas/DPD test really won’t add much time or expense to things overall.

I'll make a full list when I go in tomorrow. After digging into it today I noticed a lot of issues, expired reagents, stored without caps, etc. But the owner (new owner) and I are on the same page to find a system that works.

 

[poolstoreguy]

I see the appeal of in store testing, both to the store operator and pool owners. Of the half dozen pool owners I know, none do water testing to the extent and care I do, and most count on the pool store tests to help them. A couple use strips, and a one uses the color change test for FC and pH. All but one use a weekly pool service. One of those who uses the strips told me that to LOWER the pH he just uses aeration via spa spillover and water falls, rather than spending money on muriatic acid! I mentioned that I though he might want to double check that approach, but he was happy.

My point is that while I really like the idea of selling proper test kits and offering occasional workshop training, I don't think I am a typical pool owner--nor are most people here. You might try polling your customers about the idea, though. Otherwise, you could promote the quality and accuracy of your tests over typical pool store. And forget TDS and phosphates. Nobody really cares, and with the other things right, they also really don't matter--another thing you could point out to your customers.

You've captured my thoughts on this to a large degree. The test I want for my pool is not what many customers want in store. As an enthusiast, I want to know every little detail and how to measure everything as precisely as possible. Many of our customers want to avoid something that feels like work. They want a simplified explanation that will work well enough most of the time. That's not every customer, but trying to recommend the course of action I would take with my own pool would turn some of these customers off and make them think they need to hire a pool service (which would probably do a terrible job).

The ideal in store test process has enough flexibility to give precise and accurate results and tailor the explanation to the needs of the customer. (I think, I'm still figuring this out)

 

[jseyfert3]

Not testing related but does it can your store stock bulk liquid chlorine and keep it out of the sun/heat so it’s actually fresh?