Balancing Alkalinity and PH
Maintaining a swimming pool isn’t just about filling it with water and diving in. One crucial aspect often overlooked is pH management. Our skin and bodies thrive within a specific pH range and so does the water in your swimming pool!
Why Maintaining Alkalinity and pH in Pool Water is Crucial
Proper pool maintenance revolves around balancing pH and alkalinity levels.
Maintaining a swimming pool isn’t just about filling it with water and diving in. One crucial aspect often overlooked is pH management. Our skin and bodies thrive within a specific pH range and so does the water in your swimming pool!
Proper pH management is crucial to ensure the water in your pool remains balanced, safe, comfortable, and crystal clear for swimmers. So when it is time to take care of the pool, instead of immediately reaching for chemicals, start by using a test strip to check the pH level—here’s why it matters.
We all remember our chemistry lessons from school, especially the pH scale. Maintaining a near-perfect pH level between 7.2 and 7.6 is ideal for your pool water
When the pH of pool water rises, the strength and effectiveness of chlorine diminishes rapidly. Maintaining the correct pH level in your pool ensures that chlorine works optimally, providing swimmers with the best experience while protecting the pool structure and equipment from damage caused by overly acidic or alkaline water.
The Importance of pH Balance in Your Pool
The ideal pH for pool water is 7.4. Regular monitoring in between services with the Poolwerx water test strips and making adjustments when dosing your pool is crucial for maintaining this range.
Effects of High pH Levels:
Inefficient Sanitisation: Chlorine, a primary pool sanitiser, becomes less effective at higher pH levels.
Skin and Eye Irritation: Swimmers may experience irritation.
Cloudy Water: High pH can lead to water clarity issues.
Effects of Low pH Levels:
Corrosion: Acidic water (pH below 7.2) can corrode metal components and stain pool surfaces.
Decreased Chlorine Effectiveness: Low pH reduces chlorine’s sanitising power.
Health Risks: Acidic conditions can cause eye and skin irritation for swimmers.
The Role of Total Alkalinity (TA) in Pool Maintenance
What is Total Alkalinity?
The ideal total alkalinity level is between 80-120 ppm. It’s important to understand that without proper alkalinity levels in your pool, you will not only face the potential of cloudy water, and scale build up on pool equipment but also inefficient sanitisation leading to potentially unsafe swimming conditions.
Total alkalinity is critical because it stabilises the pH level, preventing frequent and rapid changes commonly known as ‘pH bounce.’ This stability is essential for the effectiveness of all pool chemicals, particularly chlorine with its disinfecting properties. The higher pH can irritate swimmers’ skin and eyes, and may result in cloudy water.
Effects of High Alkalinity (TA) Levels:
Cloudy Water and Scaling: High alkalinity can cause cloudy water and scale buildup on pool surfaces and equipment.
Reduced Chlorine Efficiency: As with high pH, high TA diminishes chlorine’s effectiveness.
Effects of Low Alkalinity (TA) Levels:
pH Bounce: Low alkalinity leads to rapid pH changes, known as ‘pH bounce.’
Corrosion and Staining: Similar to low pH, low TA can cause metal corrosion and surface staining.
Eye and Skin Irritation: Swimmers may experience discomfort.
If the alkalinity of your pool water increases you would typically need a product that helps lower the alkalinity level to bring it into the optimal range (typically between 80-120 ppm, depending on your specific pool conditions). Look for a pH reducer or alkalinity decreaser product. These products are designed to lower the total alkalinity in pool water effectively.
Managing pH and Alkalinity Levels In Your Pool
When alkalinity in your pool drops below 7.2 it is considered acidic. Issues associated with high acidity can lead to damaged pool equipment such as metal corrosion, staining around the waterline and sore eyes after swimming. When levels begin to climb towards pH 8.0 the chlorine becomes less effective at cleaning the water.
As humans we know when we have consumed too much acidic food like soft drinks, cheese and coffee. Our bodies are 70% water so small changes in acidity can negatively affect our health. Similarly, care must be taken with your pool when pH levels drop.
Let’s explore what can push up the acidity levels in your pool.
Rainwater: Rainwater is naturally acidic, and after a heavy storm, it can significantly raise the acidity of your pool water. Monitoring pH levels following rainstorms is essential to prevent imbalances.
Chemical Imbalances: improper chemical dosing of various pool chemicals can alter pH levels. When chemicals interact, they can affect acidity levels unpredictably. Maintaining a careful balance of pool chemicals is vital to prevent pH fluctuations.
High bather-load: Human factors such as sunscreen, sweat, urine and increased pool usage, especially during events like pool parties or family gatherings, can elevate acidity levels.
Step-by-Step Guide for D.I.Y. Pool Maintenance
1. Test Your Pool Water:
Frequency: Test your pool water weekly during warmer months and at least twice per month in winter.
Tools: Use Poolwerx water test strips to test your water’s chemical balance.
Parameters: Measure pH, total alkalinity, and chlorine levels.
2. Adjusting High pH Levels:
Product: Use Vitalyse pH Down & Clear Tablets. This product is formulated to lower both pH and total alkalinity levels in pool water. It often contains acids such as sodium bisulfate or muriatic acid.
Method: Follow the product instructions to add the appropriate amount to your pool.
Re-test: Wait a few hours and re-test the pH to ensure it has dropped to the optimal range.
3. Adjusting Low pH Levels:
Product: Use Vitalyse pH Up. Sodium carbonate (soda ash) effectively raises pH levels.
Method: Add the recommended amount as per the product guidelines.
Re-test: Check the pH level after a few hours to confirm it has increased to the desired range.
4. Lowering High Alkalinity:
Product: Use Vitalyse pH Down & Clear Tablets. If alkalinity levels exceed above 150 ppm, it may be necessary to use a decreaser to bring the levels back into the optimal range.
Method: Add the product slowly to the pool water, preferably near a return jet to ensure proper mixing.
Re-test: Monitor the TA level and repeat if necessary until it falls within the optimal range..
5. Raising Low Alkalinity:
Product: Use Vitalyse Alkalinity Up. Use this product to boost TA and maintain stability in your pool water.
Method: Distribute the product evenly across the pool surface, ensuring it dissolves completely.
Re-test: Check the TA level after a few hours to ensure it is within the recommended range.
FUN FACT
Did you know that when you smell chlorine in a pool, this is a reaction to sweat, oils and sunscreen? It’s an indication that your pool chemicals are hard at work and that you are due to add more chlorine to the water. The stronger the ‘chlorine’ smell, the dirtier the water – meaning it’s time to add more chlorine!
Regular Cleaning and Equipment Maintenance
Maintaining your pool is not just about adding the right chemicals; it’s also about ensuring your equipment is functioning optimally and the pool itself is kept clean. Regular cleaning and equipment maintenance are essential components of pool care and routine maintenance of equipment prevents issues that can disrupt pH balance and water quality.
Weekly Tasks Could Include:
Run the Pool Pump: Running the pool pump ensures proper circulation, which helps distribute chemicals evenly throughout the pool. This circulation is vital for preventing dead spots where algae and bacteria can thrive. It’s generally recommended to run your pump for at least 8-12 hours a day during the swimming season. Adjust the timing based on pool usage and weather conditions.
Filter Maintenance: Regularly cleaning or backwashing your filter helps keep the water clear and prevents clogs that can lead to reduced water flow and chemical imbalances. Depending on the type of filter (media or cartridge), follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for cleaning and replacement. A well-maintained filter is crucial for removing debris and keeping your water crystal clear.
Regular Cleaning: Prevents buildup of contaminants that can affect pH and alkalinity.
Use a skimmer net to remove leaves, bugs, and other debris from the water surface daily. This prevents organic matter from decomposing and affecting water chemistry.
Brush the pool walls and floor weekly to prevent algae buildup and to keep surfaces smooth and clean. Pay special attention to corners, steps, and other hard-to-reach areas that can harbour algae spores.
Vacuum the pool weekly to remove dirt and debris that the filter may have missed. Automatic pool cleaners, such as the Aquawize can make this task easier and more efficient.
Additional Tips:
Check your water levels regularly (especially during the warmer months) and ensure the water level is maintained halfway up the skimmer opening. Low water levels can damage the pump, while high levels can reduce skimming efficiency.
Regularly inspect all pool equipment, including pumps, filters, heaters, and chlorinators, for signs of wear and tear allows you to address any issues promptly to avoid costly repairs.
Conclusion
Balancing pH and alkalinity is foundational to pool care. Regular testing, proper chemical use, and maintenance practices ensure your pool remains a safe and enjoyable environment. For helpful advice and assistance, contact your local Poolwerx service team.
