How To Lower pH In A Pool
Balancing your pool water's pH levels is one of many important maintenance tasks that come with owning a swimming pool. If you've ever wondered how to lower pH in your pool, we're here to help. While the responsibility of maintaining the proper balance of chemicals in your pool water may seem daunting, it is necessary. If you don’t know where to start, you're in the right place!
pH levels play a key role in your pool’s water chemistry. ePoolSupply is here to break down what pH levels are, their role in a pool’s water chemistry, and how to lower the pH in your pool.
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Understanding Pool pH Levels
A pool’s pH levels refer to its alkalinity or acidity properties in the water. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14. Readings higher than seven are alkaline, and lower than seven are acidic. Anything new entering the pool can change its pH level, which causes levels to fluctuate. This makes testing the pH levels in your pool all the more important during routine maintenance.
What Is The Ideal Pool pH?
A pool’s pH levels are best maintained within a range of 7.4 and 7.8, which is slightly alkaline. Whether the pH level drops below or exceeds these levels, action is needed to get back the pH within the recommended range.
Problems With High pH Pool Water
Pool water with too high of a pH level can lead to numerous issues—pool equipment and swimmers included. Let’s look at the problems commonly associated with high pH levels.
Damaged Pool Equipment
High pH levels lead to calcium scale buildups on the inside of the pool’s walls and equipment. This accumulation of calcium scale buildup can clog equipment and block the necessary flow of water in and out of the pool. In these instances, air can enter the pool pump and cause a significant malfunction, potentially putting it out of commission.
Decrease in Chlorine Effectiveness
High pH levels also prevent chlorine from effectively cleaning the pool’s water. This decrease in the chlorine’s effectiveness prevents the proper elimination of microbes, leading to a possible algae bloom. Even calcium buildup can be responsible for cloudy water. Restoring the chlorine’s effectiveness can be achieved by reinstating recommended pH levels.
Irritation to Eyes and Skin
While high chlorine levels can cause skin irritation, so can high pH levels. High pH levels can cause swimmers to have itchy or red eyes and skin irritation.
Erosion of Swimsuits and Swim Gear
The chemical imbalance due to high pH levels doesn’t bode well for swimsuits and swim gear. High pH can cause the fabrics in swimsuits to fade or degrade over time. Additionally, swim gear like goggles can weaken and break.
What Causes High pH in Pool Water?
There are many different causes for high pH levels in pool water. Ultimately, almost any new presence within the pool water can cause pH levels to rise. Here are some of the common causes of high pH levels.
High Salt Content
Pools with seawater or saltwater generators can increase aeration from bubble formations, increasing pH levels.
Pool Shock
Shocking your pool with chlorine, which already has a high pH level, can spike pH levels and calcium hardness. pH levels can well exceed the recommended range in these instances and cause the water to appear cloudy.
Replastering Pool Surfaces
Newly plastered pools using a cement-based option can release calcium hydroxide for up to four weeks. As calcium hydroxide is absorbed, an increase of the pool’s pH levels follows.
Algae Growth
When algae growth is present in a pool, it consumes carbon dioxide (CO2) from the water. Carbon dioxide is an acidic compound, so with the decrease of CO2 levels, pH begins to rise.
Installing Too Many Water Features
The incorporation of fountains, water slides, and other additions to a pool causes an increase in water movement. Substantial amounts of water movement increases the aeration within the pool and outgasses CO2, raising pH levels over time.
pH Increaser Mishap
A lot of moving factors go into balancing a pool water’s chemistry so simple errors are common. The accidental use of a pH increaser instead of a decreaser directly contributes to rise in pH levels. To avoid this mistake, make sure all chemicals are labeled.
Adding Water With High pH Levels
Before you top off the water levels of your pool, test the pH and alkalinity of the water you intend to use. If the water you plan to use is too basic, pH levels are going to rise.
How To Fix pH Balance
Now that the common causes of high pH levels are covered, let’s look at how to lower pH in your pool.
What You’ll Need
To effectively lower your pool’s pH levels, you’ll need tools, equipment, pool chemicals, and safety gear. Let’s look at each category.
Tools/Equipment. You have a few options to choose from when it comes to equipment. A pH sensor/meter is the most accurate avenue to test pH levels, or basic pH testing strips can also be used. If you choose the pH sensor/meter, make sure to calibrate it before each use for accurate results.
Pool Chemicals. The two main chemicals used to lower a pool’s pH levels are sodium bisulfate and muriatic acid. Sodium bisulfate is a powder-based chemical used to lower pH levels in pools and is also known as “dry acid.” Muriatic acid comes in liquid form and decreases pH. It’s also more commonly referred to as
“hydrochloric acid.”
Each of these pool chemicals has highly acidic properties, so proper safety measures and equipment need to be used.
Safety Gear and Measures. When handling these types of pool chemicals, make sure you’re wearing gloves, goggles, and clothing that can cover areas of exposed skin. Never mix these chemicals with chlorine. The mixture creates toxic fumes that are harmful. When you mix pool chemicals, make sure to always add water to the plastic bucket first, never the other way around.
Finally, never use the pool immediately after treatment. Wait between four and six hours before using the pool.
Step-by-Step Guide To Lower pH
Once you have everything you need, follow this step-by-step guide to lower the pool’s pH levels.
- Test the current pH level to determine how far off it is from the recommended range.
- Calculate the water volume in your pool to verify the correct amount of acid dosage.
- Measure out the amount of acid required to lower the pH level.
- Add the measured amount of acid to the pool (with safety equipment equipped).
- Let the pool settle for 15-20 minutes.
- Test the pH level of the pool with the test kit to see the results.
- If the pH is too high, add more acid.
- If the pH is too low, add a small amount of soda ash or baking soda.
Learn more about pool water testing today with our helpful guide.
Maintenance Tips to Prevent High pH Levels
Incorporate these helpful maintenance tips to better prevent high pH levels:
- Keep the pool clean and well-sanitized to prevent chemical imbalances
- Test the pool water at least twice a week with a pH test kit
- Make sure to test the pH level of the water source because some areas have high mineral content which can affect the pool’s pH
- Limit the amount of times you shock your pool to only when it’s necessary
Pool Supplies and Testing in Phoenix, Arizona
Looking for pool supplies or pool water testing services in Phoenix, Arizona? Find our new brick-and-mortar pool store off the I-17 and Bell Road for a wide selection of high-quality pool supplies, pool water testing services, parts, cleaners, and more. Call us at (602) 274-7946 to learn more.
Pool pH FAQ
What is the ideal pH range for a pool?
The ideal pH range for a pool is between 7.4 and 7.8. A pH level of 7.3 or 7.2 is also passable.
How to lower pH in a saltwater pool?
Reducing pH levels in a saltwater pool is the same as a regular chlorine pool. This is done through the use of either muriatic acid or sodium bisulfate to reduce pH levels.
Why does the pH rise more frequently in a saltwater pool?
Saltwater pools undergo an electrolytic chlorine generation process. This process unique to the style of pool can cause a natural increase in pH over time.
Will shocking a pool lower pH?
Shocking a pool does not lower pH levels, it actually raises them. Because of this, make sure to test your pool’s pH levels after it undergoes a shock.
Does baking soda lower pH in pools?
Baking soda is naturally alkaline with a high pH of 8 so upon usage, pH levels will rise.
How often should I check my pool’s pH levels?
During the swimming season, it’s recommended to check pH levels twice a week. It’s also recommended to check pH levels after a storm or large pool party.
Can high pH levels cause damage to my pool?
Yes, high pH levels are known to cause damage to pool surfaces and equipment.
Is it safe to swim right after adding chemicals to lower the pH?
It is not. Make sure to wait at least 4 to 6 hours until the pool has fully circulated and retested.
What if my pH is still high after adding acid?
If the pH level is still high, retest and add more acid in small increments. Continue this process as necessary until the pH level is where it should be.
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