How to Lower pH Balance in Your Swimming Pool

Everything should be in balance. It is as essential in life as it is in your swimming pool. The pH of your pool is an excellent example.

As a general guideline, you should  keep your pH between 7.4 and 7.8   In this article, we’ll show you how to adjust pH if it becomes too high in this post.

Let’s get started!

Effects of a High pH Level

Why is a high pH level, or a pH level greater than 7.8, hazardous for your swimming pool? For starters, it’s bad for both the swimmers and your bank account. Here are some of the issues you might encounter:

• Swimmers will complain about stinging eyes, dry skin, and a sticky feeling.
• You’ll notice that the pool has grown foggy or overcast, which makes swimming less appealing.
• At increasing pH values, chlorine becomes less effective. The expense of adding more chlorine is higher than the cost of pH test kits. Low chlorine levels encourage the growth of germs and algae.
• Alkalinity makes water “hard,” and calcium deposits can induce scale development. Scale can clog your filters and pipes. This will put strain on your pool equipment and result in a variety of issues like leaks and motor failure.

How to Lower pH Levels

Always test your water before doing anything. Check the pH, acid demand, and total alkalinity of the pool with a pool test kit.

After determining that the pH level is too high, you should try to restore balance. There are two main pH lowering products. These are sodium bisulfate (dried acid) and muriatic acid.

The steps for each product are as follows:

Sodium Bisulfate

1. Follow the manufacturer’s directions and measure the appropriate amount depending on your preliminary tests. Some advocate doubling the recommended amount to allow for easier correction.
2. Sodium bisulfate is often sold as a powder. To avoid backlash to your skin and clothes, avoid using it on a windy day.
3. Add the chemical by getting as close to the water as possible and downwind if it’s windy. Apply it on the water return jet site to help the powder distribute around the pool.
4. After ten to fifteen minutes, the powder should dissolve on its own.
5. Allow at least six hours for retesting, but complete your test within 24 hours.

Muriatic Acid

1. Because muriatic acid is a strong corrosive, wear safety equipment such as gloves and goggles.
2. Read the directions again and measure the amount as directed.
3. Muriatic acid can be added to your pool in two ways. The first step is to turn off the pump and then slowly pour a steady stream into the deep end. Allow the acid to settle at the pool’s bottom before resuming circulation with the pump.
4. The second way is to pour it over the return jets and let the pump do the rest.
5. Retest the water after six hours, but no more than 24 hours.

With the Balance Restored, All Is Well

Every pool owner should know how to lower pH levels. However, if you don’t have the time or if it’s too much for you, give us a call ! 

We can do everything from pH level balancing to mechanical repairs, pool cleaning, and upkeep. We’ll make sure your swimming pool is constantly in great condition!