Adjusting
Pool Water pH Levels
The pH level
of your pool water is
actually the acidity or the alkaline level of the pool water. The pH
scale works from 0 to 14. Zero will represent extreme acidity and
fourteen would represent extreme alkaline. A pH level of 7 represents
neutral.
The recommended pH level for
pools is between 7.2 – 7.6 for marble pools and between 6.8 to7.2 for
fiberglass pools.
Having a too high or a too low pH leve will be felt
by the
swimmer as their eyes will burn.
In general, the pH level of
pool water tends to rise if not treated.
The video below will show how a water test is
done:
When
adding an acid you need to take extreme care as the acid will cause
serious burns if spilt on your skin. Before adding the acid make sure
there are no swimmers in the water and that the pump is running which
will help circulate the acid all around the pool.
Get a bucket to mix the acid in, but remember the golden rule:
ALWAYS
ADD ACID TO WATER, NEVER ADD WATER TO ACID.
Now fill the bucket to 3/4 fill with water from
the pool. Slowly pour
the acid into the bucket and do not spill any acid, then pour the
buckets contents into the pool while walking around to spread the area.
You should use this process even if you are adding large amounts of
acid, do it in stages at one hour intervals. Do not add too much acid
at once or you might damage the pipes and the walls of the pool. Test
the water and try get a pH level of around 7.0 to 7.6 the ideal level
is 7.2. A low pH level requires an alkali such as soda ash to raise the
pH level. High pH levels can be reduced with the help of an acid.
Pool pH test kits should be available from your local pool shop.
Having a reasonable pH level in your pool is essential and pH level
testing should be part of your swimming pool
maintenance routine.
