Maintaining a swimming pool is an obligatory job once you have installed one on your outdoor living space. Without proper maintenance, you can’t have a swimming pool which looks and feels inviting. Moreover, if you don’t maintain the pool regularly, it can cause affect your health overtimes and damage the pool itself.
Some swimming pool maintenance routines are easy enough to get done all by yourself without hiring any pros. One of them is balancing the pH level of the pool water that you can do by using some easily-available tools and materials.
The balance pH level of the pool water is a serious thing that you can’t just ignore. The low pH level can damage the plumbing and harm your skin. It means that you can’t really use the pool if the pH level is below the ideal level.
The ideal range of pH of pool water should be between 7.2 or 7.8 which means that the acid and alkalinity of the pool are in good condition. You can raise or lower the level of pH all by yourself easily and affordably.
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Here, we share an easy tutorial about how to raise pH in pool that will guide you to maintain your beloved swimming pool.
How to Raise pH in Pool – Simple Tutorial
The main factors that can lower the level of pH of your swimming pool are rainwater and debris that get into the pool. Therefore, checking the pH range is regular maintenance that you can do at least once a week.
Clean the Pool
Before you start checking everything, make sure that there’s no debris or leaves in your swimming pool. They can impact the pH level of the water.
Use the skimmer to take off any unwanted matters in the pool. Make sure that the skimmer is clean.
Test the Water
The next step is to find out whether the pH level of the pool is balance or not.
Prepare this tool:
- Pool water tester strip
Follow these steps:
- Dip the tester strip into the pool water.
- See if the pH is below 7.2, then you need to raise it.
(Read also: Find Out How to Add Chlorine to Pool Safely with Only 4 Steps Here)
Calculate the Pool Water
You have to know the water capacity of your swimming to determine the amount of soda ash that you need to raise the pH level. If you have no idea how many gallons of water in your pool, you can use this calculating formula:
- Calculating square and rectangular pools: l x w x d x 7.5 (length x width x depth)
- Circular pools: diameter x diameter x depth x 5.9
Measure the Soda Ash
Soda ash (sodium carbonate) has been known for its ability to raise the pH of pool water. You have to carefully measure the amount of the chemical. You will need 6 ounces of soda ash to raise 0.2 pH level for 10,000-gallons pool.
This step depends on how low the pH level of the pool and its water capacity. For instance, if you need to raise 0.2 pH points for 15,000 gallons of water, you can add 9 ounces of soda ash.
(Recommended to read: 4 Simple Steps on How to Maintain a Saltwater Pool Affordably)
Mix and Add the Soda Ash
Instead of directly adding the soda ash to your pool, you need to mix it with clean water. Remember to not pour the chemical on one spot of the pool. Run the pump of your pool to circulate the chemical.
- Prepare a 1-gallon bucket.
- Add water and soda ash that you have properly measured.
- Pour the chemical around the perimeter of your pool.
Test the pH Level
The last step is checking back the pH level of your swimming pool whether it has reached the ideal level or not. Let the chemical to completely set in your swimming pool for about an hour, then follow these steps:
- Dip the pool water tester strip to find out the pH level of the pool after you add the soda ash.
- If the level is somewhere between 7.2 to 7.6 then you have done your job.
- If it’s lower than 7.2, you can slowly add more soda ash to the pool until you reach the ideal level.
- The pool water may experience cloudiness which will be gone for around an hour or so, and it’s a normal condition.
