Maintaining the Right pH in your Pool
When it comes to keeping your swimming pool or hot tub in great condition, there aren’t many more important tasks than ensuring that your pool carries the right pH level.
pH in pools – a short science lesson
pH is a scale by which we determine how acidic or alkaline a liquid is. It runs from 0-14, with anything above 7 considered alkaline and anything under 7 being seen as acidic. Pool owners will want to keep their pool in the happy ‘middle ground’ that lies between 7.2-7.6.
A pool can easily slip away from the recommended pool level, as rainwater, leaves and large groups of swimmers can drastically affect a pH level, so it is important to ensure the correct level by testing it regularly with test strips.
What will happen if my pool is too acidic?
Low pH liquid, which signals acidic or corrosive water, means that users can experience discomfort, eye irritation and brittle hair in the pool, while pool materials such as copper heat exchangers, vinyl liners and pool surfaces are likely to get damaged by the acidic water. As well as being uncomfortable and unwelcoming, low pH pools can cost hundreds of pounds in repair costs.
How will I know if my pool has too much alkali?
A pool with high pH will be too alkali, and this water will be much less efficient at combatting viruses and bacteria – leaving you with a pool that’s much more likely to suffer from unsightly and unhealthy algae, as well as scaling and calcium deposits on your tiles and filter system. Furthermore, pools with too much alkali can also suffer from murky, cloudy water.
How can I reduce or increase pH?
The good news is that it’s not hard to combat pH in pools, and to keep it at a level that’s both safe and aesthetically-pleasing. There are both acids and alkalis that you can buy that you can add to the pool and gradually increase or decrease its pH every day. Simply dissolve it in a plastic container, then add it evenly to the pool water. Check out our Water Balance Page to see our full range.
When you’re looking to make your pool, hot tub or spa as inviting and as enjoyable, you need the right pH and the right chemicals. Shop online for water balance products today from Online Pool Chemicals.