If you’re a pool owner, you know that maintaining the proper pH levels is essential for keeping your pool clean and safe. Too low or too high pH levels can be dangerous for swimmers and pool equipment. Maintaining the proper pH balance in your pool is not just about crystal clear water – it’s a matter of safety.

On a pH scale, a 0 mark means the pool water is extremely acidic, whereas a 14 mark indicates extreme alkalinity. An optimal pH level would sit anywhere between 7.2 and 7.8.

Keep reading to learn the traits of high and low pH levels in pool water and where to find reliable assistance to lower pH in pool service in Phoenix.

High pH

If the pH levels in your pool water go over the 7.8 mark, you’re dealing with a case of high pH levels. This means that your pool water is softer than recommended and can lead to detrimental health effects.

The pH levels in your pool water may be high because of:

• Increase of temperature
• Above recommended dose of stabilizer
• Algae
• Strong liquid chlorine
• Calcium or lithium hypochlorite chlorine

Moreover, high pH levels will render chlorine ineffective, so you’ll likely be dealing with algae and bacteria. If you swim in a pool with high pH levels, you risk eye irritations and skin allergies, and even your clothes and swimming goggles might wear and tear faster than usual.

You can add dry or muriatic acid to restore the optimal pH levels in your pool. After a few hours, retest the pH level to see if it has reached the desired range. If the pH level is still too high, repeat the process until you achieve the recommended level.

Low pH

Low pH levels mean your pool water is more acidic than recommended, which can lead to corrosion of the pool equipment. Other than the equipment, acidic pool water is dangerous for the skin, eyes, and nose.

Lower pH levels, like higher pH levels, are unsafe for swimmers. As we mentioned, low pH levels in pool water are acidic, which translates to corrosion. When swimming in low-pH pool water, the first thing swimmers will notice is a stinging sensation in their eyes and nose.

In addition, they will feel their skin and hair become drier and prone to itching.

Other than affecting people, acidic water is also dangerous to surfaces, objects, etc. For instance, low-pH water will corrode metal surfaces, pool ladders, light fixtures, railings, and all metal parts in the pool pump, the filters, and the heaters.

When dealing with low-pH pool water, the best way to raise the pH level is to add baking soda. As a rule, you should use 1.5 lbs. of baking soda for 10,000 gallons of water.

Poolsmith: A Reliable pH System for a Pristine Pool

Low-pH water is dangerous for your pool, your budget, and the people using the pool. Our team at Poolsmith can help you balance the pH quickly and effectively.

Thanks to our unique, patented pH system, we won’t use dangerous acids to restore the optimal pH levels in your pool. Our CO2-based pH pool water system is the perfect solution for lower pH in pools in Phoenix.

Check out our pricing options and schedule an appointment with us today. Let’s talk.