How to Read PH Levels of Water
It's a good idea to check your water's pH levels if you notice a funny taste or suspect the water is particularly acidic or alkaline. Acidic water can be destructive to your home plumbing or swimming pool and is potentially harmful to one's health. If your water's pH reading falls outside of the normal, drinkable range, there may be something wrong with your system that's creating a chemical imbalance. Testing and reading the pH levels of water is quite simple and requires no professional assistance, although for the most accurate readings you may want to consult a specialist. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Instructions
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Purchase a pH test kit. These are inexpensive and easy to use. You can purchase them from most hardware and pool supply stores. There are several different types of test kits, from the simple litmus paper test to others that change the color of the water being tested and may be more accurate.
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Use the kit at home. Follow the instructions on the box. With the litmus test, you simply dip a strip of colored paper into the water. Follow the color code to take the pH reading on a 0-14 scale, with 7.0 being neutral, 0 being most acidic and 14 being alkaline.
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Decide if your water is too acidic or alkaline. The normal drinking range for water is between 6.5 and 8.5, according to watertestingblog.com. Water that is too acidic or alkaline can also be damaging and hazardous in swimming pools, so you should check the pH in your pool water often.
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For more accurate and reliable testing, take a water sample to a pool supply store to have it tested by professionals. They will be able to recommend what you can do if your pH balance is undesirable.
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Tips & Warnings
Never consume acidic water, which can cause serious life-threatening illnesses.
