Quick answer: To raise the pH in your pool, test your water to determine current levels. Calculate the required amount of soda ash (sodium carbonate) based on your pool’s size. Broadcast the soda ash evenly around the deep end with the pump running. Wait several hours before retesting to avoid overcorrecting.
Getting ready for a weekend swim only to find that the water stings your eyes is a good way to ruin a sunny afternoon! If your pool water is irritating your skin or smells strongly of chlorine, your pH levels might have dipped too low. Balancing these levels is a vital part of keeping your backyard pool safe and enjoyable.
Typically, the ideal pool pH range sits between 7.2 and 7.8. When your water falls below this range, it becomes acidic, which can damage both your swimmers and your equipment. Fortunately, learning how to raise pH in pool water is a straightforward process that any homeowner can master.
If handling chemicals feels overwhelming, you can let a professional take care of it. Proper chemical balancing is just one part of the comprehensive pool maintenance and repair services offered by Backyard Innovations. Let’s explore exactly why your levels drop and how to raise pH in pool water safely.
What Causes Low pH in a Pool?
Pool water is highly sensitive to its environment. Several everyday factors can cause your pH to plummet:
- Heavy rainfall: Rainwater is naturally acidic and will lower your pool’s pH after a storm.
- Frequent pool use: Sweat, sunscreen, and natural body oils from a large weekend pool party can quickly shift your water chemistry.
- Too much chlorine or pool chemicals: Over-shocking your pool or adding excess sanitizer drives pH down.
- Poor water circulation: Stagnant water prevents chemicals from mixing properly, creating acidic pockets.
- Low total alkalinity: Alkalinity acts as a buffer for your pH. If your alkalinity drops, your pH will soon follow.
What Are the Signs Your Pool pH Is Too Low?
You can often feel or see acidic water before you even test it. Watch out for these common warning signs that indicate testing below a 7.2 pH:
- Burning eyes after swimming
- Itchy or irritated skin
- A strong, overwhelming chlorine smell
- Corroded ladders, rails, or internal pool equipment
- Unexplained staining or surface damage on your pool liner
- Cloudy, dull-looking water
What Is the Ideal Pool pH Level?
Maintaining the right balance is crucial. The acceptable range for pool water is 7.2–7.8, but the ideal sweet spot is 7.4–7.6.
Keeping your water in this tight range matters for several reasons. It ensures maximum swimmer comfort by matching the natural pH of human eyes. It protects your expensive equipment from acidic corrosion. Plus, it keeps the water looking crystal clear and ensures your chlorine performs at its peak efficiency.
Step-by-Step: How to Raise pH in Pool Water
If your water tested acidic, follow these steps detailing how to raise pH in pool water safely.
Step 1: Test Your Pool Water
Always start with an accurate baseline. You can use test strips, liquid test kits, or digital pool testers. Check your pH, total alkalinity, and chlorine levels to understand exactly what you are working with.
Step 2: Determine How Much pH Increaser You Need
Your required dosage depends entirely on your pool size in gallons, your current pH level, and your desired pH level. Always read the manufacturer’s instructions on your chosen product to calculate the exact amount.
Step 3: Add Soda Ash (Sodium Carbonate)
Soda ash is the most common and effective pH increaser. Put on safety gloves and eye protection. Never mix pool chemicals together outside the water. With the pool pump running, broadcast the soda ash evenly around the deep end of the pool so it disperses properly.
Step 4: Allow Water to Circulate
Leave your pool pump running for several hours. This circulation ensures the soda ash is distributed evenly throughout the entire pool, preventing chemical clouds.
Step 5: Retest the Water
Patience is key when learning how to raise pH in pool water. Wait several hours before retesting the water. If the level is still too low, repeat the process gradually. You can overcorrect your pH; adding too much soda ash will create scale buildup and cloudy water.
When Should You Call a Pool Professional?
Sometimes, balancing your water chemistry becomes a frustrating cycle. Hiring a professional might be a good choice if:
- Your pH keeps dropping repeatedly despite treatment.
- The water stays stubbornly cloudy.
- Visible equipment corrosion appears on ladders or pumps.
- Chemical balancing becomes too difficult or time-consuming.
- Algae growth continues despite regular chemical treatments.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pool pH
Q: What is the fastest way to raise pool pH?
A: Adding soda ash (sodium carbonate) is the fastest and most reliable method to raise pool pH. It dissolves quickly and provides an immediate boost to both pH and total alkalinity.
Q: Can I swim while trying to raise the pH?
A: No. Wait until the soda ash has fully dissolved, the pump has circulated the water for a few hours, and your retest shows the pH is safely between 7.2 and 7.8.
Q: How often should I check my pool’s pH levels?
A: You should check your pool’s pH levels at least two to three times a week, especially during periods of heavy use or after a storm. Regular testing helps maintain balanced water chemistry and prevents potential issues like algae growth or equipment damage.
Q: What happens if my pool’s pH is too high?
A: If your pool’s pH is too high, the water can become cloudy, and scale may start to build up on pool surfaces and equipment. Additionally, high pH levels can reduce the effectiveness of chlorine, leading to poor sanitation and an increased risk of bacterial growth.
Get Expert Help With Your Pool Chemistry
Still wondering how to raise pH in pool water without the hassle? The experts at Backyard Innovations are here to help keep your backyard oasis perfectly balanced, crystal clear, and ready for swimming. Contact us today to schedule your professional pool maintenance!
