How to Raise PH Levels in a Pool

Baking soda will increase your pool's pH levels.

A pool's pH level is important to the overall chemistry of the pool water. It lets you know how acidic or how basic the water is, wherein zero is very acidic and 14 is very basic. The desired level is between 7.2 and 7.6. If the pH level is too high, the water becomes cloudy, causing eye irritations and discoloration of the pool walls. To raise the pH levels in your pool, you need to add a pH increaser with sodium carbonate as the active ingredient. You can purchase pH increasers from pool stores, but adding baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) to your pool works just as well.

Things You'll Need

• pH test kit
• Baking soda

Instructions

1. Check your pool's pH level with a pool test kit. Purchase a kit at any pool equipment store. Place the test strip in the water for five seconds. Wait 30 seconds and compare the colored sections to those on the side of the test bottle.

2. Add 3 to 4 lbs. of baking soda to the pool's water if the pH level is below 7.2. This configuration works for a 10,000 gallon pool. For a 5,000 gallon pool add half that amount and 4.5 to 6 lbs. for a 15,000 gallon pool.

3. Use 2 lbs. of baking soda if the pH level is between 7.2 and 7.5 in a 10,000 gallon pool. For a 5,000 gallon pool, use 1 lb., and add 2 lbs. for a 15,000 gallon pool. Any number above 7.5 doesn't need adjusting.

4. Run the pool pump for an additional two to three hours to allow the baking soda to circulate throughout the pool.

References

• Arm & Hammer: The Magic Of Arm & Hammer Baking Soda
• North Carolina State University: Pool Water Chemistry