Can You Swim In A Pool With High Ph
by Team Regal | Jan 21, 2020 | Swimming Pools
Having a swimming pool at home means summer is just a few steps away, no matter the weather. However, you should remember that pool maintenance is no joke. You need to keep it safe for swimming, and this means you must regularly monitor the level of chemicals in it, such as its pH. Water pH is a measure of the acidity of water. The question is can you swim in a pool with high pH?
Can I Swim In A Pool With High Ph
Swimming in a pool with a high pH is a risky decision. The alkaline water will disrupt the chemical activity of chlorine, resulting in a poorly disinfected swimming pool. The presence of microorganisms, possible water diseases and germs such as cryptosporidiosis, E. coli, shigella and viruses can be harmful to your health.
In addition to potentially harmful water, swimming in water with high pH can irritate skin, eyes and your nasal passages.
Its best to wait until the pH is back down to optimal values. This is the safest zone to be swimming in!
How To Lower And Balance Ph Level In Pool
To be honest, our core team has put loads and loads of effort into coming up with this comprehensive guide on how to lower pH levels in the pool.
So, whether youre a newbie or a seasoned professional, please do thoroughly read the post as weve bundled all the information in one place in order to help you reap maximum benefits.
In case, you think weve missed out on anything, please do let us know in the comment section.
Read Also: Cyanuric Acid Reducer For Pools
Does Ph Effect Chlorine Effectiveness
Chlorine is known by many as the number one chemical used for maintaining a swimming pool. It works its magic by disinfecting microorganisms.
For chlorine to do its job, it needs to be exposed to the right environment. Its ability to effectively kill bacteria depends on optimal pH and alkalinity levels.
A high pH can cause cloudy pool water while a pool with low pH means the amount of available chlorine is lower. In both instances, an incorrect pH level will hinder chlorines effectiveness.
When Is Ph Too High
pH is the level of acidity in your pools water.
This acidity needs to be balanced. Too much causes problems as the water becomes alkaline, and too little causes problems as the water becomes acidic.
The pH scale measures from 0 to 14, and the ideal reading you want to keep you water at is between 7.4 and 7.6.
Some pool owners use a wider range of 7.2 to 7.8 for a bit more leeway, but a pH level of 7.5 is what you should always be aiming for.
Also Check: How To Read Clorox Pool Test Strips
Ph Minus Didnt Work What Next
Yes, there are times when pH Minus may not be strong enough to lower the pH levels of your swimming pool. This is basically as a result of excessive alkalinity. But the good news is, there are still other options that can help get the job done . Both these acids should reduce the pH level effectively.
Got any other questions? If yes, dont waste a second to contact us today. Were very much available to provide answers and if necessary offer lasting solutions to your pool problems.
How To Balance Ph And Total Alkalinity In A Swimming Pool
Balancing pH and Total Alkalinity might seem difficult if you’re doing it for the first time. However, this is something you can fix within a few hours if you have the right chemicals and follow the steps included in this article.
The most common problem is high pH and TA levels in pool or spa water. If you maintain the correct levels of pH and TA in your swimming pool, having low pH and alkalinity levels is not common and can only be caused when any form of a strong acid like muriatic acid or sulfuric acid is added into the pool or spa water.
Before we go further, I guess you would want to know the causes of high pH and alkalinity in your water so that you won’t fight high levels of pH and TA next time.
You May Like: Where To Buy Pool Pump Capacitor
Lowering Ph Levels With Muriatic Acid
Earlier we mentioned how dangerous it can bemisusing the muriatic acid. Before going anywhere near the muriatic acid.
Endeavor to cover all your body parts withcover-all, laboratory grade goggles, and rubber gloves. Safety tips can neverbe over emphasized.
Despite the fact that muriatic acid is not in apowdered form. It is also suggested that you should try to not administer it onor during breezy days to prevent a blow back.
This is similar to using sodium bisulfate for lowering pool pH
Low Ph And High Alkalinity
Although they tend to affect each other in the same direction, youll sometimes end up with low pH and high alkalinity. Usually, this issue pops up when you add too much cyanuric acid to your pool.
Using a chlorine stabilizer in your outdoor pool is important, but using it incorrectly will negatively affect your overall water chemistry. You may also notice a weird imbalance because alkalinity and pH are affected by chemicals at different rates, so even when you make adjustments, one may rise more than the other.
Read Also: Nicest Pool In Vegas
How To Lower Alkalinity But Not Ph
Unfortunately you cant lower the total alkalinity without lowering the pH. If for example your pools alkalinity was 250 ppm, lowering it to the acceptable range of 80-120 ppm will likely result in a pH that is too low.
Theres no need to worry though. Its usually best to set a target total alkalinity level and adjust the pool for that. After youve hit your target alkalinity, or are close, then you can raise the pH by aeration.
The best advice is to take your time when adjust alkalinity and pH. Do it over several days instead of dumping large quantities of chemicals in your pool at the one time.
How Do You Describe Ph Level In A Pool
The ph level simply refers to the summation ormeasure of overall acid-alkalinity stability. In other words, it tells if apool water is alkaline or acid base.
pH measures from 1-15, but the ideal range fora pool is between 7.2 to 7.6. If a pool pH measures a 7, even better as 7stands completely neutral because it is middle of your scale.
This means that your pool becomes as acidic ashow low the number is. Also, however high the number goes, the more your poolalkalinity.
Pool water that has high alkalinity can makethe pool water appear cloudy and even scalin. Any acidic pool water can destroy your pool equipment, causing unhealthyetching on the water surface. It can worst of all, cause irritation to the eyesand skin.
Read Also: How Much Does An Inground Pool Cost In Mississippi
How To Lower Ph Level Using Muriatic Acid
If youre an avid reader of this blog then definitely you wouldve read about muriatic acid in my previous post, right?
In case, you missed out, then its my humble request to go back and read my comprehensive guide on muriatic acid especially if youre a newbie.
If I can remember, already weve talked about the dangers of using muriatic acid.
So, always take essential preventive measures in order to prevent any last-hour misadventure.
Dont forget to wear goggles, gloves, and a face mask.
Though you can use it on a windy day as its not in powder form still I would recommend you to utilize a calm day for this adventure.
pH and Alkalinity Testing
First and foremost, you need to test for the pH and alkalinity levels to know and understand the current pool chemistry scenario.
As we all know, the pH level should fall in the range of 7.2 and 7.6.
Similarly, alkalinity should fall in the range of 80 and 120 parts per million.
If the reading shows any of these chemicals above the permitted range, then definitely you need to take the help of muriatic acid.
Chemicals Measurement
The next step in the list would be the chemical measurement.
Moreover, read the manufacturers instructions to find out exactly the amount of products that need to be added in order to raise the necessary levels.
Add the Chemical
Well, this is the most crucial step as you need to add muriatic acid.
As a result, the chemical would reach even to the bottom of the pool and not only get stuck to the top level.
What Causes High Ph Levels
The normal pH of pool water is between 7.2 and 7.6. We consider 7.4 as the optimum pH. However, you shouldnt be worried if this value isnt exactly 7.4. Its perfectly normal for your pools pH to occasionally fluctuate.
You should be concerned if the value frequently goes beyond 7.8. High pH levels mean your pools water is very alkaline.
Water pH is extremely unstable, and many factors contribute to its surge. Below are the most common causes.
You May Like: Aria Las Vegas Swimming Pool
How To Lower Pool Alkalinity
Pool supply stores carry a product called pH Decreaser, which is mostly Sodium Bisulphate. This product will lower both pH and total alkalinity, but you can use muriatic acid instead. Because you may already have it on hand, and its cheaper than pH Decreaser, its worth knowing the right way to use muriatic acid to lower your pools alkalinity.
How Do You Know If A Pool Ph Is Too High
Whether it is a commercial pool or aresidential pool, the pool needs to be routinely checked to ensure the waterquality is balanced. Here are a few things that should be constantly monitoredin the pool.
Aside these, there are a number of otherimportant tests that should be run on the pool. As complicated as these sound,you do not need to be a chemistry genius to understand these tests or to easilydo them.
Test kits for pools are user friendly once youget a hang on the instructions and follow them. You will find that it is notrocket science.
Also Check: How To Hide Pool Equipment
How To Lower Ph In Pool Water Naturally Without Chemicals
Balance in everything holds great importance but if there is some imbalance then it can cause problems. The same is the case with your swimming pool. It needs to maintain its pH level.
The pH level of the pool water should be at an ideal level otherwise it can cause a serious threat to the lives of the swimmers as well as will also decrease the life of the pool.
In this article, you will learn the causes and effects of higher pH levels in the pool, and how to lower ph in pool
Lets dive into detail.
But Administering The Same Dosage Of Acid By Gently Pouring It Into A Pocket Without Disturbing The Surface And Splashing Will Lower Alkalinity More Than Ph
How to lower ph in pool. To raise the ph, soda ash is normally used. Fortunately, lowering ph in pool water is a simple task. Ph down comes in two forms:
The lower on the scale your pool ph levels are, the more acidic and corrosive your water becomes. How to lower ph in pool water. Add either chemical to the pool by pouring in the pool about 6 inches above the surface to avoid splashing.
The quickest and easiest method to correct this is to add muriatic acid, otherwise known as hydrochloric acid. The ph of the water in the swimming pools is a very important parameter to be able to swim in safety and enjoy a clean water. After you have determined the ph level, then you can start looking for ways on how to lower ph in pool.
To lower the ph, the most common liquid acid used is muriatic acid, also known as hydrochloric acid. Muriatic acid, or hydrochloric acid, is commonly used in pools to lower the ph. Too low a ph level makes the water acid and can have adverse consequences.
It plays an important role in the care and maintenance of swimming pools. Simply put, it determines whether your pool is acid or alkaline . How to lower ph in pool a manual or electronic pool tester will check the ph, chlorine level and total alkalinity of.
That’s how to lower ph in pool. High ph levels in pool can be reduced with an acid. How to raise and lower ph in pool.
Read Also: How To Vacuum Intex Above Ground Pool
Notes On Adding Muriatic Acid:
- Muriatic acid is caustic. If you get it on your skin it will burn. Wear goggles, gloves, long sleeve shirt, and heavy jeans. Have a bucket of water and a hose with a sprayer attached with the water already turned on, ready to hose yourself or anything else off if you spill. If you do manage to dump it on yourself, wash it off immediately.
- Do not spill muriatic acid on any concrete, tile, or any other masonry. I cannot stress this enough. If any of you have sealed your garage floor with epoxy based floor covering, a recommended step prior to applying the epoxy is to apply undiluted muriatic acid to the garage floor. This etches the concrete so the epoxy will stick, giving off bluish green fumes that rise off the concrete, plus some bubbling and fizzing that also occurs.
- When working with muriatic acid over concrete, you can try to pre-wet the concrete with water to help with diluting any potential spills or drops that might end up on the concrete.
- You typically want to dilute the muriatic acid in a bucket of water to prevent burning yourself, pool surfaces, or equipment. Some muriatic acid containers come pre-diluted so you dont have to mix with water and you can just apply directly to the pool.
- Although it may seem crazy to put such a damaging liquid into your swimming pool water, even strong acids like this one are beneficial in small doses.
Tips on Lowering your Swimming Pool pH
Natural Ways To Lower Pool Ph
There are a couple of natural household products that could potentially be used to lower your pools pH.
Vinegar: Wondering how to lower pool pH with vinegar? Ordinary household vinegar could in theory be used to lower the pH of your pool. The pH of vinegar is about 2.5, which is quite acidic when compared to your pool water.
Household vinegar is very weak though , so you would need quite a bit to lower pH.
And in addition, using vinegar would cause a reaction leaving acetates in the pool water, which is not desirable. Its generally not desirable to add extras to your pools water.
Muriatic or Hydrochloric acid is a far better choice for lowering pH and alkalinity.
Baking Soda: Baking soda differs from the previous two natural remedies in that it has a higher pH of 8.3. If your pools pH is above 8.3, baking soda will bring it down to approximately the same value.
However, its more beneficial to use baking soda when looking to raise pool pH and alkalinity levels. You need approximately 1.5 lbs per 10,000 gallons of water to raise the alkalinity by 10 ppm.
Also Check: Hide Pool Equipment Fence
What Is Alkalinity
Briefly, alkalinity refers to dissolved salts, like carbonates, that keep pH stable. If alkalinity is in the right range, pH and chlorine levels are easier to maintain.
To lower alkalinity, add muriatic acid. Muriatic acid lowers both pH and alkalinity.
To raise alkalinity, add sodium bicarbonate . This is different from sodium carbonate .
What Exactly Is Ph
Simply put, pH stands for Power of Hydrogen. It is a measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions in a water-based solution.
In laymans terms, pH is a scale that determines how acidic or alkaline a solution is. The pH of a solution can measure anything between 1 to 14.
Any solution with a pH of above 7 is alkaline and a solution with a pH less than 7 is acidic.
Pure water has a pH of 7, which is considered neutral. Hence, pure water is neither basic nor acidic.
A higher pH is an indicator of alkalinity and a lower value, of acidity.
Interestingly, human tears have a pH between 6.5 to 7.6, with the mean value being 7.
If pool water is too acidic, it can cause eye and skin irritation. Acidity also causes etching on the pool and leads to corrosion of pool equipment.
On the other hand, if the alkalinity of pool water is on the higher side, it causes scaling and gives the water a murky, cloudy look. While this might not seem like too much of a problem, it is essential to note that a high pH can undermine the effects of chlorine. In such a case, the pool becomes unsuitable, even dangerous, for swimmers.
What factors affect the pH of pool water?
Anything that is added to the pool alters the waters chemistry and directly affects the pools pH. Cleaning agents, detergents, perfumes, swimmers waste, source water, rate of evaporation, dirt, debris etc cause a change in the pH. This is why it can be a bit tricky to find the right chemical balance in a swimming pool.
Also Check: How Do You Get Iron Out Of Pool Water
How Much Acid Should I Add To My Pool
This depends on how high your pool’s pH is and the size of the pool. If you are using test strips, it’s usually hard to determine exactly how high the pH level is you just know it’s high. A better test kit, or a DPD drop test kit, will use phenol red to give you a better idea of your true pH reading. Some better test kits include an “acid demand” test to help calculate a more precise dosage.
If you have a pH reading of 7.8 or higher, and an average size in-ground pool, you should add 1/4 gallon of muriatic acid, and re-test after the water has circulated for an hour. If you have a smaller pool, or an above-ground pool, you would start with one cup of acid, and then re-test and add more if needed. If you have a spa, we are talking only capfuls at a time. Very little acid is needed to adjust pH in a spa.
For a more exact idea of how much acid to add, see the table below or use a pool calculator, which can be found online, that will give you an amount based on estimated pool volume and chemistry.
