You all must be aware of the fact that acids lower the pH in pools, but have you ever wondered about the science behind it? The reality is, that it’s not the acids that lower the pH value, but it’s the hydrogen ions they produce that do so.
Swimming in acidic pools can be a health hazard and should be avoided when possible. However, health-related issues aren’t the only damage acidic water can cause. It can also cause material damage to your pool and its mechanism.
Let’s learn how acids lower pH in pools in Phoenix and why.
How pH Works?
The “pH” abbreviation represents a scientific formula. The “p,” also known as “potzen,” is an operation or more specifically, “-log10.” The “H,” on the other hand, stands for hydrogen. So, pH is just “-log10 of the concentration of hydrogen ions.”
In simpler terms, pH represents the number of hydrogen atoms in a specific liquid. To count pH, you just have to count the number of hydrogen ions released.
The change in pH values always happens by a factor of 10. If you increase it by one unit from the standard, you increase it by 10, two units, and it’s increased by 100, etc.
What is an Acid?
For a substance to be acidic, it has to contain hydrogen in a releasable form. For example, table sugar has a lot of hydrogen in it, but it won’t make your pool acidic because it’s not in a releasable form.
The thing that ultimately determines whether a substance will be releasable or not is its bond. Substances with strong bonds rarely release their bonds when introduced to water, but the opposite is true for polar ionic bonds.
Substances like HCL have polar ionic bonds and break away to form hydrogen ions when placed in water. This is why HCL is considered as one of the strongest acids.
What are Bases?
Bases are substances that provide hydroxide ions (OH-). This has the opposite effect of acids, i.e., it raises the water’s pH value. Standard bases that we all have in our homes are baking soda and items that contain sodium hydroxide.
How to Alter the Values?
Introduce some simple substances into the mix to easily alter a pool’s pH value, though a professional should always do this, as it can be delicate. Substances like muriatic acid or sodium bisulfate are most commonly used to lower a pool’s pH, though these should be used carefully, or else you’ll throw everything off balance.
Likewise, substances like baking soda can increase a pool’s pH value. However, it’s always best to have this done by a professional.
Poolsmith Technology: Professional pH Balancing
If you need your pool’s pH value to be balanced to an appropriate amount, Poolsmith Technology is here to help. We’re pioneers in the field of pH maintenance. Our patented CO2 technology has the same effect as old-fashioned acids but without the adverse effects. Our expert team is always available to explain why acids lower pH in pools in Phoenix.
Reach out to us to learn more about our product.
Recent Comments