Why You Need to Get High PH Levels Under Control

 When you own a pool, it’s your job to keep your water properly balanced. This includes keeping the pH no higher than around 7.8. You should perform pH tests regularly and, if you notice that the water is too alkaline, then it’s time to take action. While it may be tempting to ignore high pH or write it off as no big deal, it can actually have some pretty damaging effects, which is why you need to nip it in the bud as soon as possible.   

Less Effective Chlorine

One of the worst things about too-high pH is that it can keep chlorine from doing its job. It renders it less effective than it should be, which can lead to bacteria and algae growth. As a result, you’ll have to use much more chlorine to keep your pool from becoming an unsafe mess. Not only does this mean more maintenance on your part, but it also means higher expenses.

Skin and Eye Irritation

Another problem with high pH is how it affects swimmers. Exposure to high pH levels can cause skin irritation and dryness, which can lead to flaky, itchy, uncomfortable skin. Some swimmers may even develop a rash. The eyes can also become red and irritated as well. No one wants their swim to end up in skin discomfort, which is why balancing pH is so very important.

Damage

Perhaps worst of all, high pH levels can cause damage to the pool itself. Scaling, a form of visible buildup, can form on the pool walls and equipment when pH is high. If left unchecked, it may even progress to the piping and impair the pool’s ability to properly circulate and function. Other types of minor damage, such as faster wear and tear of swimsuits, may also occur when pH levels are too high.

Obviously, high pH can cause some major, unwanted issues. The good news, though, is that it’s relatively easy to fix with a good pH reducer and more consistent, watchful care. However, due to the havoc high pH can cause, you should never leave this problem unchecked even for short periods of time.

Tips for Keeping Your Pool Water pH Balanced

Keeping your pool water balanced is, contrary to popular belief, a very different thing than simply keeping it clean.

While cleaning involves regularly removing surface debris and vacuuming the bottom of the pool, balancing the water is all about monitoring and making necessary changes to the water’s chemical makeup.

And, while balancing water composition can be a bit more challenging than keeping a clean pool, it’s definitely possible if you know what you’re doing.

Balance pH     

One of the first components of keeping your pool water balanced is achieving the proper pH levels.

pH is a measure of how much acidity is in your water. A pH measurement under 7.2, for example, is acidic, while a measurement over 7.8 is alkaline.

With pool water, you don’t want either acidic or alkaline water. Instead, what you want is neutral water, which means that the water has a pH level that falls between 7.2 and 7.8

When you know the proper pH level for your pool, it’s easy to reach it and to know when you have a pH problem on your hands and will thus need to turn it over to professionals to get things under control.

Balance Calcium

Whether or not you need to worry about your water having adequate calcium will depend on the type of pool you have.

Concrete pools, for example, do require calcium. Adequate calcium levels, which vary depending on the size of your pool, are necessary to keep the water from leeching calcium from the plaster surfaces and causing damage.

Fiberglass pools, on the other hand, can be damaged by calcium in the water.

As a result, you must know the calcium needs of your particular pool and then work to make sure they are being met.

These are just a few examples of how you must balance your pool water. If you’re having trouble meeting these or other demands, however, remember that you can always consult pool professionals for help with care and upkeep.