How to Safely Raise pH in Your Pool
Is your pool water too acidic? Learn how to safely raise pH in your pool with this easy-to-follow guide. Keep your pool water balanced and crystal-clear all season long!
There’s nothing quite like a refreshing dip in the pool on a hot day. But, let’s face it—maintaining that pristine pool water can sometimes feel like you’re doing chemistry homework. One of the most common issues pool owners face is low pH levels. When the pH is off, it’s more than just an annoyance. If the water is too acidic, it can irritate your eyes and skin, corrode pool equipment, and reduce the effectiveness of your chlorine. But don’t worry—adjusting the pH is easier than you think!
In this article, we’ll walk you through how to safely raise pH in your pool so you can enjoy clean, balanced water without the hassle. You’ll learn what causes low pH, why it matters, and how to bring it back into that sweet spot of 7.2-7.8 pH. With a little know-how and some simple tools, your pool will be back in shape in no time.
Why Is pH Important in Pool Water?
Before diving into how to safely raise pH in your pool, let’s talk about why it matters in the first place. Your pool’s pH level measures how acidic or basic the water is on a scale from 0 to 14.
Low pH (acidic): When the pH falls below 7.2, the water becomes corrosive, which can irritate your skin and eyes, damage metal equipment, and even wear down pool surfaces.
High pH (basic): On the other hand, if the pH rises above 7.8, the water can become cloudy and cause scaling on surfaces. High pH also makes chlorine less effective, meaning your pool won’t stay as clean as it should.
Balanced pH: The ideal range for pool water pH is between 7.2 and 7.8. This range ensures swimmer comfort, protects your pool equipment, and keeps sanitizers working effectively.
Maintaining the right pH level in your pool is essential for keeping the water safe, clear, and
comfortable. If the pH drops below 7.2, the water becomes too acidic, which can irritate swimmers' skin and eyes, corrode metal equipment, and erode pool surfaces. On the flip side, a high pH above 7.8 can make the water cloudy and cause scaling on surfaces. It also reduces the effectiveness of chlorine, making it harder to keep your pool clean. The ideal pH range is between 7.2 and 7.8, ensuring balanced water that’s comfortable for swimmers, protects your equipment, and allows sanitizers to do their job effectively.
How to Safely Raise pH in Your Pool: Step-by-Step
If your pH test results show that your pool water is too acidic, it’s time to take action. Here’s how to safely raise pH in your pool using a few simple steps.
1. Test the Water
First things first—you need to confirm that the pH is, in fact, too low. You can use either test strips or a liquid test kit to measure the pH level.
Step 1: Dip a test strip into the pool water or add a few drops of the testing solution to a sample of pool water.
Step 2: Compare the results to the color chart that comes with the kit. If the pH is below 7.2, you’ll need to raise it.
Pro Tip: Test the water at least once a week during swim season to catch imbalances early.
2. Choose the Right Chemical
To safely raise the pH, you’ll need a pH increaser. The most common chemicals used are sodium carbonate (soda ash) or sodium bicarbonate (baking soda).
Soda Ash (Sodium Carbonate): This is the best option if your pool’s pH is very low. It raises both pH and alkalinity.
Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate): If the pH is only slightly low but the total alkalinity is also low, baking soda might be the better option.
When your pool's pH dips too low, choosing the right chemical to raise it is key to maintaining water balance. Soda ash (sodium carbonate) is the go-to solution when the pH level is significantly low, as it effectively raises both pH and alkalinity. This makes it ideal for pools that need a quick adjustment to prevent corrosion and irritation. However, if the pH is only slightly low and the total alkalinity also needs a boost, baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) might be the better option. Baking soda provides a gentler adjustment, helping to stabilize alkalinity without dramatically spiking the pH. Selecting the right product ensures your pool stays comfortable and equipment stays protected.
3. Calculate How Much Chemical You Need
It’s important not to overdo it—adding too much chemical can swing the pH too far in the other direction. Most pH increasers will come with instructions on how much to add based on your pool’s size.
General Rule of Thumb: For every 10,000 gallons of water, adding 6-8 ounces of soda ash will raise the pH by about 0.2 points.
Pro Tip: Always start small! You can always add more, but it’s a hassle to lower pH if you overshoot.
4. Add the pH Increaser to the Pool
Now that you know how much product to use, it’s time to add it to the water.
Step 1: Turn on the pool pump to keep the water circulating. Good circulation helps the chemical spread evenly throughout the pool.
Step 2: If using soda ash, dissolve it in a bucket of pool water before adding it to the pool. Slowly pour the mixture around the perimeter of the pool.
Step 3: If using baking soda, sprinkle it directly into the pool, distributing it evenly.
Pro Tip: Avoid adding chemicals near pool skimmers or return jets to prevent clogs.
5. Let the Pool Water Circulate
After adding the pH increaser, allow the pool pump to run for several hours to help distribute the chemical.
Step 1: Keep the pump running for at least 4-6 hours.
Step 2: Test the water again after circulation to check the pH levels.
If the pH is still too low, repeat the process, adding small amounts of soda ash or baking soda until you reach the desired range.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
While learning how to safely raise pH in your pool, it’s easy to make a few mistakes along the way. Here are some pitfalls to avoid:
Adding Too Much Too Fast: It’s tempting to dump in a lot of chemical at once, but that can raise the pH too high, creating more problems.
Ignoring Alkalinity Levels: If your alkalinity is off, it will affect your pH balance. Always check and adjust alkalinity first if needed.
Not Circulating the Water: Failing to run the pump after adding chemicals can leave the product unevenly distributed, leading to inaccurate test results.
When adjusting the pH level of your pool, it’s important to take a measured approach to avoid creating new issues. Adding too much chemical too quickly can cause the pH to rise too high, leading to cloudy water and scaling problems. Another common mistake is overlooking alkalinity levels, which act as a buffer for pH. If alkalinity isn’t balanced first, it can make stabilizing the pH more challenging. Additionally, circulating the water after adding chemicals is crucial. Failing to run the pump can leave chemicals unevenly distributed, resulting in inaccurate test readings and uneven pH levels. Following these steps ensures smooth adjustments and keeps your pool balanced and swim-ready.
Conclusion
And there you have it! You now know exactly how to safely raise pH in your pool and keep your water sparkling clean. Balancing pH isn’t just about swimmer comfort—it’s also essential for maintaining your equipment and ensuring sanitizers work effectively. With regular testing, the right chemicals, and a little patience, you’ll have your pool water balanced in no time.
So, the next time your pH starts slipping into the danger zone, don’t stress—just follow these simple steps, and you’ll be back to cannonballs and poolside lounging before you know it!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What’s the fastest way to raise pH in my pool?
Using soda ash (sodium carbonate) is the quickest way to raise pH. It works fast and effectively, especially for very low pH levels.
2. Can I use baking soda to raise the pH?
Yes, but baking soda is more effective at raising alkalinity than pH. If your pH is only slightly low, baking soda can help, but for bigger adjustments, soda ash is a better choice.
3. How often should I test my pool’s pH?
It’s best to test your pool’s pH once a week during swim season. If you’ve had heavy rainfall or lots of swimmers, test more frequently.
4. Can low pH damage my pool equipment?
Absolutely! Low pH can corrode metal parts, damage the pool liner, and even wear down pump seals, leading to expensive repairs.
5. What if I raise the pH too high?
If the pH goes above 7.8, you can bring it back down by adding pH decreaser (muriatic acid or sodium bisulfate).