How to Adjust pH in Pool: Guide to Balanced Water

pH refers to how alkaline or acidic the pool water is. For swimming pools, the generally acceptable pH range is set at pH 7.2 to 7.8, while ideal pH readings are given as pH 7.4-7.6. So, pH must be kept in a balance. This can protect equipment using the pool's water and allow the sanitizers to function effectively. Moreover, this contributes to clear water that is considered safe for swimming. In this blog, we learn how to adjust pH in a pool and various tips to ensure proper adjustment.

What pH and Total Alkalinity Mean for Your Pool?

It is important to maintain pH. Chlorine (one of the prime disinfectants) works best at a pH of 7.2 and 7.8. Balanced pH factors are good for pool equipment, while chlorine again effectively sanitizes water at this pH. Safe water, therefore, is available for instant swimming. 

Total alkalinity acts as a buffer in the pool treatment against drastic drops and sudden falls in pH. Therefore, it is important to bring TA to the desired range before balancing pH. This is because the same pool chemicals that affect TA also change pH. The ideal total alkalinity range of pool water is between 80 and 120 ppm. Therefore, if TA is balanced, pH will easily fall within the balance range. 

How to test pH and TA in a pool?

A variety of methods are used to assess both pH and TA, including the use of test strips, assorted liquid test kits, and digital meters. 

Test strips are inexpensive and easily obtainable, though they might not yield the most accurate results. The results do, however, rely heavily on interpretation by the user. Liquid test kits would score over test strips since they deliver accurate and instantaneous results, but these kits may be improperly used and additionally take longer to test water than test strips.

Digital meters give accurate and objective readings. They can test for various contaminants that other test strips or kits cannot. They are quite expensive than strips and kits and can only test for a specific contaminant at a time.

How often to test?

Ideally, you should test pool water weekly. You may test it instantly after heavy rain or if your pool has a high bather load. 

If pool pH is high, it may cause eye and skin irritation to swimmers. It also reduces the efficacy of chlorine. With a high pH, the pool is at risk of scaling on equipment, plumbing lines, and surfaces. It also leads to cloudiness. 

How to Adjust Pool Water pH

When the pH is Too High

If your pool water is cloudy or shows signs of scaling, it means it has a high pH. You can reduce it by using:

Muriatic Acid

It is a type of hydrochloric acid that is the most effective chemical for reducing pH and TA. 

• Always add acid to water; never add water to acid while diluting. 
• You should always have protective gear like gloves or an eye mask when carrying out these operations.
• Pour slowly into the pool's deep end, away from skimmers or jets.

Muriatic acid can etch plaster if poured directly onto surfaces. You can refer to the product packaging for the ideal amount. For example, 16 oz per 10,000 gallons for specific drops.

Sodium Bisulfate 

It’s similar to muriatic acid but has a granular appearance. It’s typically sprinkled over return jets. Add sodium bisulfate to the water, which can accumulate over time.

You’ll always need chemicals to lower pool pH. While some natural factors like rainwater can slightly lower pH over time, there isn't a quick, chemical-free method to reduce pH in a pool. 

When pH is Too Low

If you notice your pool equipment corroding or etching and you find brown dust in your swimming pool, it means your pool has a low pH.

You may increase it by using:

Sodium Carbonate 

Also known as soda ash, it’s a primary agent to increase pH. It also increases the total alkalinity. 

Dissolve the carbonate in the water first or spread it evenly over the pool surface. Refer to the label to get the ideal amount. For example,1 lb per 10,000 gallons for significant increases. 

Sodium Bicarbonate 

Sodium bicarbonate or baking soda raises the total alkalinity with a minor effect on pH. In fact, it raises both pH and total alkalinity in pool water. It does not lower pH.

Aeration

Another method is aeration, adding air to water. This raises the pH significantly. You may aerate the pool by running waterfalls, spillovers, fountains, pointing return jets upwards, or even splashing vigorously.

Best Practices for pH Adjustment

• Make sure the pump and filter are working well before and after the addition of chemicals into the pool for proper distribution. 
• Avoid adding large amounts of chemicals at once. Add a portion, allow circulation, then retest, e.g., after 4 hours, before adding more.
• You must test your fill water and find out the TA and pH to predict and manage your pool's chemistry.
• Check chlorine shock levels. The type of shock influences pH increase or decrease. Calcium hypochlorite (cal-hypo) shock typically has a high pH and will raise your pool's pH. Dichlor shock is generally more pH-neutral. Liquid chlorine (sodium hypochlorite) has a very high pH and therefore increases pH over time. 
• Note that high chlorine levels (over 10 ppm) may give false pH readings; wait for levels to drop before retesting. Integrate small, regular adjustments instead of waiting for big ones. 
• Use a pool calculator to find out the pH. Apps such as the PoolMath app can compute the correct chemical dosages according to your pool volume and test results. 
• Labels are there on chemical products, hence, always read and follow them, and also put on the correct personal protective equipment.

Conclusion

Keeping the pH balance is necessary for a safe and pleasant swimming experience for swimmers. Test it, check it, and balance your pool pH for your health and your pool equipment. The optimal pH range is 7.2 to 7.8; if you have more or less than that, you can raise or lower it as needed.

Cleaner water isn't just about chemicals. Debris and biofilm also influence balance. Using an advanced robotic pool cleaner can reduce these hidden disruptors, promoting more stable water conditions with less hands-on effort.