How to Lower pH in a Pool

For a number of reasons, a swimming pool's pH level needs to be just right.

The water in the pool is more comfortable for swimming when the pH is at the right level. Water that is either too acidic or too basic can irritate the skin, the eyes, and possibly eventually harm pool equipment over time.

Maintaining the efficiency of pool sanitizers like chlorine also depends on proper pH levels. The chlorine will be less effective in eliminating bacteria and other impurities in the pool water if the pH level is too low. Too much pH can also reduce the effectiveness of the chlorine and possibly result in scaling on the pool's surfaces.

Keeping the ideal pH level may also aid in safeguarding your pool equipment. For example: the heater, pump, and filter. Too basic or too acidic water conditions can damage equipment by corroding it or causing scale to accumulate, which reduces longevity.

A swimming pool should have a pH between 7.2 and 7.8. You will typically need to make adjustments if the pH is above 7.8 or below 7.2.

The procedure for testing the pH of pool water is pretty straightforward, and a test kit makes it almost foolproof. Kits are available from sellers online, hardware stores, and pool supply shops.

The majority of test kits for pool water come with test strips or liquid reagents that you mix with a small amount of pool water. By altering the color of the water or by showing a numerical number on the test strip or test kit, the test will show the pH level.

The process only takes a few minutes. To achieve accurate results, it's crucial to carefully follow the testing directions. Ask for help at a pool supply store or contact a reputable pool service business if you're unsure how to test the pH of your pool's water.

You normally add muriatic acid to your swimming pool to reduce the pH. The precise amount you need to add is dependent on the size of your pool.  Use this calculator to calculate how many gallons of water you have in your pool.  Then refer to the instructions on the Muriatic acid package to learn how much acid to add to get to your desired pH. To ensure a uniform distribution around the pool, add it gradually.

Recheck the pH level after waiting. Give the chemicals time to circulate in the pool for at least 4 hours. Repeat the process until the required pH level is reached if the pH is still too high.

To prevent over-treating the pool water, it's beneficial to not apply too many chemicals at once. Moreover, make sure to handle them safely at all times.