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Many pros consider pH balanced water in swimming pools as possibly the most critical element of pool water maintenance. If you consider any sanitizer, it's ability to do its job is directly linked to pH. Levels that are too high or too low inevitably lead to sanitization problems.
The ideal range for pH in swimming pool water is 7.0 to 7.6. In light of this, what do you do if your pool water isn't in that range?
High pH
High pool water pH may result in one or more of the following problems:
- Scaling or calcium buildup on pool surfaces, waterline, and accessories which can cause corrosion of your equipment.
- Dull or cloudy pool water
- Clogging of filter medium or elements
- Drop in disinfectant potential.
How to Lower Pool Water pH
Adding an acid to your pool water reduces the pH. The most common chemicals used to reduce high pool water pH are:
- Liquid Muratic acid – typically 30% to 35% liquid hydrochloric acid … OR
- Dry Acid – Sodium Bisulfate. This is a granular powered pH reducer. First dissolve the granulate in a bucket filled with water. Next, disperse it over the surface of your pool water.
Things NOT To Use
- Sulfuric Acid – This raises TDS levels and adds sulfates to your pool water.
- Nitric Acid – This is highly corrosive!
Please note that neither of these chemicals are recommended to use in your swimming pool water.
What Causes High pH Levels In My Water?
In our opinion, the addition of chlorine stabilizer and sudden rises in temperature of your pool water will cause high pH levels.
What Will Low pH Do To My Water?
Here is a list of common problems caused by low pH.
- Eroding of the swimming pool plaster or grouting.
- Corroding of the metal pool accessories such as the heater, steps, etc.
- Staining resulting from metal corrosion.
- Rapid dissipation of chlorine requiring increased dosages.
- Burning eyes and nose.
- Dry and itchy scalp and skin.
- Destruction of your swimwear, pool toys and accessories.
How to Raise Low pH in Pool Water
Uniquely, two things can help: Soda Ash (sodium carbonate) is normally used to raise low pH levels and Sodium Bicarbonate (good 'ol Baking Soda!) should be used to raise alkalinity. It can also be used to raise pH but ONLY if Alkalinity is low.
What Causes Low pH Levels in my Pool?
Often low pH is a result of acid rain and occurs after periods of heavy precipitation.
Correspondingly, the normal tendency of pool water pH is to RISE through exposure to wind, sunshine, and swimmers.
The most common cause of consistently low pH is LOW TOTAL ALKALINITY, which should always be adjusted with sodium bicarbonate before trying to increase your pool water pH levels.
How Do Waters Choice Pool Enzymes Affect pH?
GREAT QUESTION!
Waters Choice ENZYMES stabilize pH and alkalinity levels in your pool water. They leave you time to relax and enjoy your pool! However, it's still important to regularly test these levels. Our enzymes are amazing at eliminating the pH and alkalinity swings of up and down due to parties and weather.
Furthermore, using Waters Choice Pool Enzymes removes the NEED for chlorine stabilizer. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions on our website at waterschoice.com to read about the MANY BENEFITS of using our enzymes.
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