How To Lower pH In Pool Water
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The pH level of pool water is crucial for maintaining both the health of swimmers and the condition of the pool. A balanced pH ensures that the water is neither too acidic nor too alkaline, which can cause skin irritation, eye discomfort, and damage to pool equipment. Changes in pH can be influenced by various factors including rainfall, the number of swimmers, and the addition of chemicals. Managing pH levels often involves testing the water regularly and adjusting it with pH increasers or decreasers to maintain a safe and comfortable swimming environment.
To lower the pH in your pool water the first step would be to get a complete water analysis either done at home with your own water testing equipment or at a local pool and spa store. To adjust the pH level in a 10,000-gallon pool the amount of muriatic acid needed can vary based on the current pH and alkalinity of the water. Generally to lower the pH slightly for instance from 7.8 to about 7.5, you might need to add around a quarter of a gallon (or approximately one quart) of muriatic acid. It's important to distribute the acid around the pool while the pump is running to ensure it mixes thoroughly. The acid has an extremely low pH and so adding it to the pool water will reduce the pH of the total body of water.
Pool water can be acidic, alkaline or neutral in pH. Neutral would be the 7.2 to 7.8 range with 7.4 being the ideal number to shoot for. If you have pH which is too high or too low this can cause of host of technical concerns with the pool, pool finishes, and pool equipment like the heater, as well as creating swimming environments which are unsuitable / uncomfortable for swimmers. When your pH is out of range this can cause skin irritation, red eyes and general bather discomfort. Total alkalinity and pH are tied together in swimming pools so it is important to learn how to manage the two in conjunction with each other. Here is a page where you can learn this information quickly: The 10 Minute Pool Chemistry Crash Course
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Swimming Pool Steve is an award winning, second generation swimming pool and spa specialist from Ontario Canada. With over 10,000,000 views on the Swimming Pool Steve YouTube Channel, winner of the 2018 Pool & Spa Industry Leadership award and author of hundreds of pool and spa articles both online and in print Steve is committed to helping pool and spa owners as well as pool and spa industry workers learn more about the technical side of building, renovating, repairing and maintaining all types of swimming pools and spas. Follow Swimming Pool Steve on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
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