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Effects of High Pool pH Level & How to Avoid These

Effects of High Pool pH Level & How to Avoid These

If you have a pool and you’ve looked up pool care tips, you’ll read about maintaining an ideal pH level. For swimming pools, this is slightly over the neutral pH balance (pH level 7). Ideally, you need to have a pool pH between over 7 and up to 7.8. A reliable pool maintenance services in Dubai can help you figure out the pH level when you build a pool. This is imperative to avoid the effects of high pool pH level, which can make pool a lot less enjoyable!

What Causes High pH in Swimming Pools?

A high pH level in your pool means the water is more alkaline in nature. The pH balance of your pool is one of the key aspects of swimming soundly. Before you know how to lower pH in a pool, let’s start by learning what increases pH:

– Natural Loss of Carbon Dioxide

The CO2 (carbon dioxide) in the air naturally dissolves in pool water—and plays a role in balancing water pH. However, the water also loses CO2 as it acquires it, primarily when you swim and splash in the pool. When CO2 molecules break up faster than they naturally enter the water, then your pool’s pH level rises. Regular pools or container swimming pools; whichever you have, check the pH levels often if the pool is constantly in use.

– Hard Mineral Presence in Water

If your water supply is rich in minerals such as calcium and magnesium, the pool water will be more alkaline—and not ideal for swimming. It’s tricky to avoid hard water when we’re talking about abundant use of water—like that in a swimming pool. You can install equipment or ask about countering chemicals from pool maintenance services in Dubai to maintain pH balance.

– Changes In Water Temperature

Whether your swimming pool becomes warm because of the sunlight and general heat, or you warm it up the water with a pool heater—your pool’s pH stands to increase with the temperature. The reason is chemical reactions; chemicals like chlorine or pH-adjusting chemicals finish up faster due to a temperature rise. As a result, the pH level goes back up, not to mention the rate of bacteria as well.

Addressing these root causes of high pH in your swimming is how you stay safe from the effects of high pool pH levels. And that brings us to some of the most important facts you should know about pH imbalance.

What Are the Effects of High Pool pH Level?

You know what causes high pH in swimming pools. But why is that so bad for your swimming pool and the people who use it?

– Ideal Chlorine Levels Take Hit

The higher the pH of your pool’s water (or the more it rises with time), the lower the effectiveness of chlorine. As you may know, chlorine is necessary to keep the bacteria at bay and prevent algae growth in your pool. If there is a change in your pool’s pH level—i.e. it goes up—then the chlorine you add becomes less potent.

Problem number one is that you are at a higher risk of health problems due to the resulting bacteria. The second problem is one that puts a dent in your wallet, as you will need to spend more on chlorine. Go for the prevention of rising pH in your pool to save extra costs of pool maintenance services in the long run. 

– High pH In Water Damages the Pool Itself

High pH levels in the pool are associated with high alkalinity and the presence of alkaline minerals. These make the water ‘hard’, which essentially means that the water contains particles that deposit everywhere. And these deposits (principally magnesium and calcium) have damaging effects of high pool pH level—starting with the pool equipment.

The pool pump and filter, internal plumbing, and more are at risk of deteriorating faster. You’ll end up facing more breakdowns and spend more time and money on repairs and replacements.

– Water Does Not Feel Nice To Swim In

Hard water is not just a problem for pool equipment but damages health too. If the water in your pool has high alkalinity, it’s unhealthy for your skin, hair, and eyes, as it causes serious dryness and itching. Also, you may feel ‘sticky’ while swimming and when you emerge from the pool, which is because of the mineral deposition.

Plus, a high pH level makes the pool water look murky and cloudy—taking away that clean and fresh look that appeals one to dive in!

Needless to say, a high pool pH balance is a massive no-no of pool maintenance for safe and fun swimming. So, how to achieve a balanced pool water pH?

How to Lower pH Balance in Your Swimming Pool

Are you getting your new pool ready for swimming? Or, after a winter break, you’re making a list of pool maintenance services to get before summer season? Add pH balance to your list. Addressing high pH levels is a fairly simple process when you know the basics of chemical balance in the swimming pool. Here’s how to lower pH in a pool:

– Focus on Preventative Techniques

For starters, try and avoid what increases the pH level of your swimming pool water so that you don’t have to spend extra to lower pH levels again. Use a shade over your pool when it’s not in use to avoid temperature spikes. Additionally, you can install a filtration system to prevent minerals from getting into your pool.

– Test for Alkalinity With A Kit

The swimming pool test kit is easily available, primarily helpful in maintaining the chlorine and pH levels in your pool. There are many things to do before you get your new swimming pool, one of these being getting pool test kit strips. Use a standard pool kit (preferably weekly), plus go for pH testing during routine pool maintenance services.

– Take Chemical Measures to Lower pH

In case your swimming pool’s pH level is too high, make adjustments by introducing an acidic chemical. The most common measures for lowering pH levels are the addition of muriatic acid or sodium bisulfate. If you don’t understand how to lower pH balance in your swimming pool with chemicals or want to avoid the risk of an incorrect composition, turn to the experts!

Take Your Pool Care Routine Up a Notch With SwimBox!

As it happens, most pool owners—especially new pool owners—have knowledge of the pool’s chemical that limits itself to chlorine levels. In order to know more about the effects of high pool pH level and to get prompt services to test and manage high pH, contact SwimBox today!