Pool newbie needs some guidance

[NP_PoolGuy]

Recently bought a home with an inground pool. We opened it up on Tuesday. Pool company gave me a simple test kit for chlorine and PH. Chlorine tested off the chart on the high end and PH off the chart on the low end. That day I added 4lbs of PH increaser with no change, added another 4lbs the next day, again with no change. Brought a sample of water to the local hardware store (no pool store close by). Here are the results of their test.
Free Available Chlorine: 12.98
Total Chlorine: 14.33
Combined Chlorine: 1.35
PH Level: 6.4
Total Alkalinity: 13
Calcium Hardness: 171
Cyanuric Acid/Stabilizer: 164
Total Dissolved Solids: 0
Phosphates: 1887
Saturation Index: -1.7

From what I read here and on swim university the first thing I should do is get the alkalinity up. I added 2 10.8lb bags of baking soda this morning and I am already seeing an increase in alkalinity based off of test strips. (I have a TF-Pro test kit in my cart ready to order). Was this the correct move? What next? bring up the PH? Then focus on chlorine?

I'm sure this will all get easier over time, but as a beginner this is a bit overwhelming.

 

[Newdude]

(I have a TF-Pro test kit in my cart ready to order). Was this the correct move?

It was. It is the same price as the K2006C, and comes with a $45 stirrer and better amounts of supplies. You dont need 144 TA and CH tests that are monthly, you need more FC tests that are daily.

From what I read here and on swim university the first thing I should do is get the alkalinity up

Don't touch a thing without reliable results. You have dissolved solids per their testing and also no dissolved solids.

No longer trust whoever read the report and didnt understand that either, when it comes to water chemistry advice.

And Welcome to TFP.

 

[NP_PoolGuy]

I see that it says 0 for total dissolved solids. What is the result that is showing dissolved solids? Just trying to learn.
Thanks for taking the time to help!

 

[Newdude]

What is the result that is showing dissolved solids?

Calcium, cyanuric acid, chlorine, phosphates, not listed : salt, copper or iron, likely added at some point : baking soda. Etc etc etc. Anything thats been added to the water over time, it all adds up and TDS rises. But the testing is sketchy at best as proven right here with 0 TDS.

While the low TA and Ph do usually go hand in hand, I can't get behind it if the other test is so wildly wrong. Maybe they're low but not that low. We just dont know. Get your kit and we'll know for sure and act accordingly. We got you now.

Have some reading by clicking :
Pool Care Basics
FC/CYA Levels
Test Kits Compared