How to adjust pool pH
All pool owners know that the pH of pool water is very important.
But why is pH important in a pool? What happens if it's too high? What if it's too low?
Danny, your pool expert, answers.
The pH value is measured on a scale from 0 to 14.
The optimal value in pool water should be between 7.2 and 7.6.
This ideal standard serves to prevent irritation to swimmers' skin and eyes, but also to ensure that chemical products (such as Diklor Shock Super chlorine, Extraflok flocculant, and Algastop) work best and without waste, maximizing the effectiveness of sanitization.
An optimal pH value is therefore essential for proper pool use.
What happens if the pH is acidic, i.e., below 7.2?
Water with an acidic pH, i.e., below 7.2, risks corroding metal equipment and irritating the eyes and mucous membranes of swimmers.
What happens if the pH is basic, i.e., above 7.6?
A basic pH, i.e., above 7.6, risks causing limescale buildup in the pool, leads to a strong "chlorine smell," and drastically reduces the effectiveness of chemical products used for sanitization.
Pool owners usually encounter the problem of high pH, i.e., basic pH. Here are the main causes:
- high water temperature
- hot and humid weather
- rain or other atmospheric agents
- a very high number of swimmers
- shock treatments and superchlorination
How is pH controlled?
To control pH, there is an infinite variety of testers on the market, from the most common drop testers to tablet testers and even super-technological digital ones.
Whatever test kit you choose to use, the procedure remains the same: you will need to collect a water sample and subject it to analysis.
How is pH adjusted?
Once you have measured the pH value in your pool, you will need to correct it, bringing it to a value between 7.2 and 7.6. There are specific products for this:
- PH PLUS: This is an alkaline product based on sodium carbonate to increase the pH value. If you find yourself with a pH value that is too low, I recommend using our granular or liquid pH Plus. This product should be released into the pool water in massive doses, setting the selector valve to recirculation mode for at least 2 hours.
The dosage for every 100 m3 of water is 5kg for granular or 5lt for liquid, taking into account a pH below 6.8. Be careful, however, because a pH of 6.8 can be a symptom of saturated water. With a pH that is too low, pool materials could corrode, and there would be serious risks of irritation to swimmers' eyes, skin, and mucous membranes. If you have any doubts, you can contact me, even via WhatsApp at 334/1491755. - PH MINUS: This is a product based on sodium bisulfate to reduce the pH value. In case of basic water, it is necessary to use granular or liquid pH Minus by ZavattiShop.com.
The dosage of one of our certified chemical products is simple: for every 100 m3 of water, 2kg in granular version or 2lt for the liquid one, with the selector valve in recirculation mode for about 2 hours. In this way, we can lower the pH by up to 0.4 points. In situations of excessively high pH, there would also be ineffective disinfection and an increase in limescale both in the pool and in all components of the treatment system. Finally, an excessively high pH in the pool weakens the disinfectant action of chlorine and creates an environment favorable to the proliferation of algae.
Please note: perform all water treatments with the system running.
For correct dosage, it is important to follow the instructions on the individual package, but if in doubt, Danny is available.