How to Maintain the Correct Pool pH

Many people dream of owning a home with a swimming pool to lounge in on a summer day. Pool ownership may seem easy, but pool maintenance requires time and effort. While you don't need a degree in chemistry, you have to keep pool chemicals within certain parameters, perhaps the most important of which are correct pH levels. For new pool owners, a few suggestions in this area may help.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Know where the pH levels should be. The first step to maintaining the proper pH levels is to understand the numbers, which are used to measure the relative acidity in your pool water. When testing your pool water, the pH levels should fall between 7.2 and 7.6.

2. Acquire a pH testing kit. You can buy these at pool-supply stores or at a number of larger chains that carry pool supplies. The kits contain thin paper strips that are chemically treated to react to the acidity in your pool water.

3. Ascertain whether your pool's pH level is too low or too high. It's extremely important to pay close attention to your pH levels. If the pH is too low and not corrected, the result can be damage to your pool equipment. If the pH is left too high, buildup can occur on your pool walls.

4. Invest in chemicals that will correct the problem. Purchase pH increasers and decreasers to keep on hand in your pool shed. Having them as part of your pool supplies will make it much easier to stabilize your pH levels and save you time on last-minute trips to the store.

5. Make any adjustments needed in your levels gradually. You can use the product label recommendations as a guide, but it's best to use amounts smaller than what's suggested. Add the increaser or decreaser, then wait 24 hours, test and adjust again if necessary, never adding either chemical in large doses.

6. Take your cues from your pool. The numbers are guides to where your pH levels typically should be. However, all pools are different and have varying numbers of people using them. Some pools are in the sun all day, some have a mix of sun and shade and others are shaded by trees. These factors inevitably change the chemical makeup of pool water, so your normal pH level may differ slightly from the recommended parameters.

7. Test your pH daily. This may seem excessive, but since the pH levels of your pool water can change rapidly, it's a necessary step. It's quick and easy with the test strips and will keep your pool equipment running efficiently for longer and keep your swimmers happy.

Resources

• Tips and hints for pool maintenance.