How to Lower pH in Swimming Pools
Owning your own swimming pool means always keeping an eye on the pH of the pool water. The normal pH range for a residential swimming is usually between 7.2 and 7.6. The pH of the human eye is 7.2 to 7.4, and if the pH is much higher than that, you will get red itchy eyes. High pH can also result in cloudy pool water, algae growth, clogging of pool filters and calcium buildup on pool surfaces. The quickest way to lower your pool's pH is to add muriatic acid to the water. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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1
Test the pH of you swimming pool water. Use a testing strip from a pH testing kit, and calculate the pH as per the directions. If your pH is above 7.6, you will need to lower it to keep it in the proper range.
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Turn on your pool's pump so that the water is circulating. Make sure there are no swimmers in the pool before you add the acid to the water.
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Put on a pair of safety glasses and a pair of gloves. Muriatic acid is very dangerous, and will inflict severe burns on you if it makes contact with your body.
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Walk over to the deep end of the swimming pool. Open the bottle of muriatic acid slowly. Hold the nozzle of the bottle just above the surface of the water so it does not splatter when you pour.
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Pour 1/4 gallon of the acid to lower the pH .1 ppm (part per million) in a typical 20,000 gallon residential swimming pool. If you need to lower the pH .2, double the amount, and pour 1/2 gallon of the acid into the pool water. Follow the ratio of 1/4 gallon for every .1 you need to lower the pH.
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Allow it to mix with the water for six hours, then re-test the pH of the water. Repeat the step above as needed. Wait until the next day to resume swimming in the pool.
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Tips & Warnings
Muriatic acid is extremely dangerous, and should always be used with proper safety gear.
Pour the muriatic acid into the water slowly to avoid backsplash and getting the acid on your skin.
References
- Photo Credit Pixland/Pixland/Getty Images
