The First Step Is To Test The Chemistry Levels Of Your Pool With A Test Kit
I have three brothers, one of whom lives near enough to New York City that I can drop in to see him when out on a weekend bike ride. Conveniently , he is the brother who owns a house with a pool. He also happens to be the Chemistry Department chair at a well-respected university. While his two children love his pool, he has more of a love-hate relationship with it and tends to complain about the maintenance required for its upkeep in almost every conversation we have throughout the summer. He also spends a good deal of time talking about the chemistry of his pool , specifically the pH balance.
The pH balance of a pool indicates how acidic or alkaline the water within is. PH stands for potential hydrogen, or how well a substance attracts hydrogen to it. The standard pH scale ranges from 0-14 with 0 being the most acidic. An optimal pH range is between 7.2 and 7.6.
If there is too much acid in your water it will damage your pool and your skin too little will allow for scaling and murky water. Scale refers to those rough, tannish stains that form on pool walls and is caused by the solidification of calcium carbonate. An unbalanced pH level will also cancel out the power of your chlorine, which is meant to keep germs out of your swimming space.
How To Add The Right Chemicals To Raise Your Pools Ph Level
Thankfully, adding baking soda and soda ash is really easy.
The act of adding any powder directly to the pool water surface is called broadcasting. Youre broadcasting the chemical around your pool.
It takes about 20 minutes after stirring to see results. Check out how much baking soda or sodium carbonate is required based on your pools current readings!
What Does Baking Soda Do For A Pool
Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate is naturally alkaline, with a pH of 8. When you add baking soda to your pool water, you will raise both the pH and the alkalinity, improving stability and clarity. Many commercial pool products for raising alkalinity utilize baking soda as their main active ingredient. You can maintain your pool for a fraction of the cost by going straight to the source and using pure baking soda in your pool.
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Products To Help Lower Ph Levels
There are two main chemicals normally used to lower pH levels in pools: sodium bisulfate and muriatic acid.
Both can cause damage to the pool surface and your skin, so its important to use caution with either one, including wearing clothing that fully covers your body, along with gloves and goggles.
You’ll also usually find these chemicals in products called something like pH Reducers or pH Minus. If you’re particular about which you use, be sure to check the labels before buying.
Pool Ph Testing Frequency
Its good to get into the habit of frequently testing your pool pH. That way, if its a little high or low, its a quick and easy fix. When the pH gets extremely acidic or alkaline, its tougher to correct. It also takes longer to adjust it.
Follow these guidelines for testing the pool pH level:
- In general, test your pool water at least twice a week. Youre likely testing the chlorine that often, so just add pH testing to your routine.
- When youre swimming daily, test daily too.
- Test the pH after a pool party. If the water level changed from all the splashing, your chemical balance may be off.
- Do a pH test after heavy rains or storms. Rainfall and plant debris can change the pH.
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What Does It Mean To Have A Low Ph
Pools with low pH have a pH range of 06. This means that the pool is acidic, with 0 being the most acidic and 6 being slightly acidic. The appropriate pH of a swimming pool lies between the range of 7.4 and 7.8. This is so because anything below 7 is acidic, while anything above 7 is basic or alkaline.
The question you might want to ask is: Is it bad to have a low pH? and the answer is yes! As long as a pool can have a low pH, it can also have a high pH, but between the two irregularities, low pH is more undesirable.
Having a low pool pH is definitely bad for a pool as it gradually damages pool accessories such as ladders, railings, and light fixtures. It could also damage the pumps, filters, and heaters. It could even lead to damage to the pools tiles, stone, plaster, and concrete.
Also, swimmers are not unaffected by low pH. Low pH causes discomfort on the skin, leading to skin itching, rashes, red & burning eyes, and burning noses, to name a few. Judging from the discussion above, you can clearly conclude that it is not safe to swim in a pool with a low pH.
Before we dive into the major subject, it would be nice to clarify what the pH of water means for those that are new to it. If you already know what pH is all about, you can skip to the next section to understand the major causes of low pH in pools.
Do You Need A High Or Low Ph In A Pool
The pH of water ranges from 1 to 14. Lower numbers indicate acidity, while larger ones indicate alkalinity. Pool pH should be between 7.3 and 7.6 for optimum performance and the cleanest water, according to pool professionals.
You should endeavor to keep your pools pH balanced, as neither high pH nor low pH is beneficial to your pool. However, the latter is more dangerous than the former.
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Common Problems With Pool Ph And Total Alkalinity
Now that you have a basic understanding of how Total Alkalinity and pH work together, lets take a closer look at how to resolve specific balance issues in your pool. Weve said it before, but well say it again when making any adjustments to your waters chemistry, ALWAYS read and follow product label instructions, and only add balancing chemicals to the pool if the pump is running. Start with an accurate pool water test to ensure youre dosing the pool correctly. And remember: its far better to make small, gradual adjustments than it is to make large changes. Keep on top of pool water chemistry with regular testing 2-3 times per week.
What Happens In A High Ph Swimming Pool
A swimming pool with a high pH is considered alkaline, which can cause issues with the pool and swimmers. There can be several answers to what causes high pH in pool, such as a sudden rise in water temperature, but more importantly that the causes are its effects. If the pH level is above 7.8, you can expect the water to become cloudy and to see scaling along the pool sides.
Further, a pH that is above normal prevents the chlorine and other disinfecting chemicals to do their job. This means bacteria and other microorganisms may thrive in your pool. While you cannot see with your naked eye, bacteria in your pool water can be harmful when they enter your body. Read on to learn how to lower pH in pool naturally.
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Phroblem How To Balance Your Pool Ph Low Or High Levels
Zach Morris
Do you know the reason why lemon juice or certain soaps burn our eyes? Its because our eyes are sensitive to substances that are too low or too high in pH. Similar to your eyes, its critical to make sure your swimming pools pH is in the ideal range.
When maintaining your swimming pool water, pH is the most important element of balancing water chemistry. But before you learn how to regulate your swimming pool pH, it is important to know what pH is and how it can affect the comfort, equipment, surfaces and sanitation of your swimming pool.
Getting An Accurate Water Test
One more tip! For correct pH and Total Alkalinity testing, a titration test is generally much more accurate than test strips. We like to recommend the Taylor K-2005, but if the price tag is too much, take a look at the less expensive Swimline 4-in-1 for a reliable pool pH and Alkalinity test kit.
If you have any other questions about pool pH or Total Alkalinity chemicals that we didnt cover, let us know. You can also check out our handy dosage charts for more information about how to reach specific levels with water balancing chemicals.
Class is adjourned. Happy swimming!
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Low Ph And High Alkalinity
When you have low pH and high alkalinity, here is a pretty easy trick to fix it. First, use pH Minus to bring down both the pH and alkalinity, then raise the pH only with aeration. Aeration just means adding air to the water. When you aerate your pool water, carbon dioxide in the air mixes with water to form carbonic acid, thus increasing the pH level. You can aerate your pool water with an air compressor, by installing a pool fountain, or by pointing return jets upward to create surface agitation.
A Few Tips To Keep Your Ph Balanced
Your pools pH level is not permanent and will inevitably change over time. As a pool owner, you will need to adjust these levels often. But here are a few tips to keep the pH balanced and help minimize the frequency of needing to lower the levels.
Test your pool water frequently. PH levels can change very quickly based on many different factors. So consistently checking the levels is imperative.
Keep your pool clean and sanitized. A clean pool is less likely to have issues with chemical imbalances.
Shock your pool only when necessary. High amounts of chlorine can cause the alkaline levels to rise high. This is why you should only shock your pool when it is necessary.
Check your tap water. Not all water is created equal. Tap water in some areas has high mineral content and could have a higher pH level.
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Wait And Retest The Pool’s Ph Level
Pool chemicals take some time to balance the pH. Let the pool water circulate for at least two hours.
- After the chemicals have cycled through for a couple of hours, test the pH again.
- Add more product if needed. If your pH is still high, follow the same steps as before.
- If your pool pH is now too low, read on to learn how to raise the pH of your pool.
Wait until your pool water has a pH between 7.2 and 7.6. Once the water is properly balanced, youre cleared to go back in the pool. Ideal pool pH helps the chlorine work as it should. That way, you can stay safe and healthy as you swim.
Low Ph Level Problems
If your pool waters pH levels are low, its important to take action to raise them. Low pH levels can lead to several problems, including:
Corrosion of Metal Surfaces
Staining of Pool Surfaces
Eye and Skin Irritation
If your pools pH levels are low, there are a few potential problems that could arise. First, chlorine may not be as effective at killing bacteria and other contaminants. This could lead to increased levels of bacteria in the water, which could pose a health risk to swimmers. Additionally, low alkalinity levels can cause damage to pool equipment and surfaces. Over time, this damage can lead to costly repairs or replacements. Finally, low pH levels can make the water feel uncomfortable to swimmers, as it can be acidic. So, if you are concerned about any of these potential problems, it is important to test your pools pH levels and adjust them accordingly.
If the pH level of a pool is too high, it can cause skin irritation and eye problems. If the pH level of a pool is too low, it can also cause skin irritation and eye problems. Additionally, low pH levels can also lead to corrosion of pool equipment.
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High Ph And Low Alkalinity
When you use Alkalinity Up to increase alkalinity, pH levels will also increase. This is bad news if your pH is already high. In order to increase alkalinity more than pH, use a simple trick called the bucket trick. Add Alkalinity Up to a bucket of clean water and place it on the floor in the shallow end of the pool or in an attached hot tub. Leave it there for several hours with the pool pump turned off. This trick also works with pH Minus, when you are trying to decrease alkalinity more than pH.
Maintaining the normal pH and alkalinity levels in your pool is a very important part of your pool maintenance routine. Proper pH and alkalinity levels help your sanitizer work effectively and protect pool surfaces and equipment. If you have any questions about how to adjust the pH and alkalinity in your pool, please contact Dohenys today at 800-574-7655 or visit us online at doheny.com.
What Does Ph Mean In Your Pool
The pH scale measures the acidity of a liquid. Everything falls on a scale from 0 to 14. On the scale, 0 is the most acidic thing out there, like a robust solution of hydrochloric acid. A 14 indicates the most basic things, like liquid drain cleaner.
The scale is logarithmic, meaning that small changes between six and seven are massive changes in the concentration of hydrogen ions in the solution.
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How Much Ph Plus Granules Do I Need
The amount of required pH Plus granulate can then be calculated.
Here, too, a little formula is used:
- To increase the pH by 0.2, you need to add 4.5 g of pH Plus granules per 1000 liters.
With a water volume of 48,000 liters, the 216g pH Plus granules would be:
- 48000 liters / = 48 x 4.5 grams = 216 grams of pH Plus granules
Now you have to compare the result with your measured value. If you measured a value of 6.8, you would have to use twice the amount of the granules to get into the optimal range of 7.0 7.4.
If you want to increase the value from 6.8 to 7.2, you need twice the amount of pH Plus granules.
What Causes Low Ph In A Pool
It can be difficult to pinpoint what causes low pH in your pool. Fortunately, the list of likely reasons is short.
Heres what to look out for:
- Low pH fill water, such as city water or well water.
- Rainwater from heavy storms.
- High levels of sanitizer such as bromine or chlorine.
- Dichlor shock .
- Low total alkalinity .
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Can You Swim In A Pool With Low Ph
Yes, to an extent.
Unless youre extremely sensitive to pH, youre unlikely to feel the effects of acidic pool water until it becomes very acidic.
Were talking about a pH level of well below 5, and a level that low is almost unheard of in the pool industry.
Instead, its the inefficiency of your sanitizer that poses more of a risk at lower pH levels, potentially leaving you exposed to all kinds of contaminants in the water.
Important: Many pH testing kits have a lower limit on their measurements, meaning anything lower will always come back as the minimum possible reading. If you get the minimum pH, use another test kit to find the true pH.
Is It Better To Have High Or Low Ph In A Pool
It is not safe to swim in a pool with high or low pH levels. The truth is that the proper pool pH level is the middle number. The pool experts are of the view that pH between 7.3 and 7.6 is the optimum performers and give the cleanest water. But high or low can cause cloudy water, skin rashes, and scaling of the pool equipment.
So do your possible best to always avoid pH levels beyond the recommended range. Test your pool always to ensure the level is okay. If not, readjust to the proper level.
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Acceptable Range Of Ph And Alkalinity
To keep your pool clean and your swimmers safe, its vital to keep your pH and alkalinity levels within an acceptable range. From being exposed to the everyday elements, it is natural for your pool water to collect bacteria that alter the pH of your pool, making the water unsafe. This is why it is important for you to monitor the pH levels of your pool, ensuring the water remains within the recommended range of a pH level between 7.4 and 7.8.
There are a number of reasons the alkalinity of your pool may change, including natural causes and chemical effects. When testing the alkalinity levels of your pool, the proper range of total alkalinity falls between 80 and 120 PPM. This will help protect the water against changes in pH and prevent the reduced effectiveness of chlorine.
Because pH and alkalinity adjustments affect one another, you should always correct the total alkalinity before pH. This is because proper total alkalinity will act as a buffer for pH, helping to prevent fluctuations in pH levels. Sometimes reaching the proper alkalinity will naturally bring your pools pH levels into the proper range without you needing to make any further pH adjustments.
