How to Use Sodium Bicarbonate to Adjust PH in Your Swimming Pool

A healthy pool.

Swimming pools need to have their pH levels checked and adjusted often. A healthy pool's pH level is about 7.2. Pools that are too acidic or too alkaline may start to grow fungus or bacteria or irritate the skin. One way to raise the alkalinity of your pool is to mix a chemical called sodium bicarbonate into the water. Sodium bicarbonate is not dangerous to humans, and using it is an inexpensive way to adjust the pH level. How much powder you use depends on the number of gallons of water you have in the pool.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring cups
• Pool pH strips

Instructions

1. Test your water's pH level with a pool testing strip.

2. Find out approximately how many gallons your pool holds, then use a calculator to figure out how much sodium bicarbonate you should use. For example, if your pool holds 10,000 gallons of water and you need to raise the alkalinity to 10 ppm (parts per million), you need to mix in one and a half pounds of powder.

3. Turn your pool pump off.

4. Sprinkle the pre-determined amount of sodium bicarbonate into the pool's deep end. Let it sit for three hours.

5. Let the pump run for one complete filtration turnover, which is about two hours. Turn off the pump after two hours.

6. Re-test the water's pH level. If it is not quite at 7.2, repeat the procedure using less sodium bicarbonate.

Tips & Warnings

• It is easier to go back and add more sodium bicarbonate than to dilute it after adding too much.

References

• Clean Pool and Spa: Alkalinity