Problems With “Out of Range” pH
Low pH (pH below 7.2) causes:
Eye burn and skin irritation
Corrosion of pool equipment & fittings
Rapid loss of Chlorine
Damage to pool’s surface
A high pH (above 7.7) causes:
Loss of chlorine effectiveness
Scaling on pool surface
Cloudy water
Ideal conditions for algae growth
It is very important to keep your pH between 7.2 and 7.7, to avoid the many problems that can occur with your pool’s water and equipment.
What Causes the pH to Change?
pH can vary from week to week, even day to day.
Factors that effect the pH include:
swimmers, rainwater, fresh water, chlorine, and the total alkalinity.
Adjusting pH
If the pH is LOW, add pH UP to raise the pH. Follow instructions on the container for dosage and application.
Baking soda works very well to raise pH.
Generally, never add more than 1/4- 1/2 lb. of pH UP per 20,000 gallons of pool water at one time. Retest after 4 hours and repeat dosage if necessary. If the pH is HIGH, add pH DOWN or Muriatic Acid to lower the pH. Follow instructions on the container for dosage. Generally, never add more than 1 quart of muriatic acid or 2.5 lbs. of pH DOWN per 20,000 gallons of water in a single application. Retest after 4 hours and repeat dosage if necessary.
