Keeping your pool alkalinity at the right level is very important, yet many pool owners tend to overlook this step. If your pool has a high total alkalinity, there is a possibility that it can damage your pool’s equipment, pool surfaces, and the pool’s plumbing. It can also cause skin and eye irritation.
Total alkalinity refers to the amount of alkaline matter in your pool. It can also refer to the ability of the chemical solution to neutralize the acids in the water. The alkaline solution acts as a buffer to reduce harmful effects of the abrupt changes in the pH balance in the water.
In this article, we are going to discuss how to lower alkalinity in pool or how to adjust the alkalinity, as well as the best pool chemical to use when adjusting the total alkalinity of your pool.
How to Adjust the Alkalinity Level in your Pool?
Contents
1. Test the Total Alkalinity in Your Pool
With the use of a pool test kit, get a sample of the water with the use of a water collector. The water must be taken from 12-18 inches deep.
Then, add the reagents into the water. After adding the reagents, make sure to add a small amount of chlorine neutralizer. This is one way to get the correct reading of the total alkalinity in your pool.
Chlorine levels can affect the level of pH in your pool. Cover the pool test kit, then shake it. If you are using pool test kits with test strips, wait for 30 seconds before dipping the test strips into the water collector.
Compare the color in your kit with the kit’s chart. If you have a pH level of 7.2-7.6 on the litmus scale, it means that your total alkalinity is balanced.
However, if the amount is lower than 7.2, you need to increase the alkalinity in your pool. Moreover, if the alkalinity is more than 7.6, you need to decrease the alkalinity
2. Determine if the Alkalinity is High or Low
If your total alkalinity is low, you need to raise the alkalinity. So, how to raise alkalinity in the pool?
You can add sodium bicarbonate into the water. The amount of sodium bicarbonate will depend on the chart attached to the pool test kit.
Meanwhile, if the alkalinity is high, you can apply diluted muriatic acid. You can calculate the amount of muriatic acid that you need by using a pool calculator. You need to know the amount of water in your pool to know how much chemical to use.
3. Adding Sodium Bicarbonate and Muriatic Acid Respectively
Increasing Total Alkalinity
When you are adding sodium bicarbonate, make sure that you are well-protected. Wear gloves and eye protection to keep your eyes and skin from getting irritated.
Turn off the water pump and then sprinkle the chemical into the deep part of the pool.
Add the chemical gradually. Get a handful and slowly let the powder sink into the pool.
Then, leave it for two hours to let the chemicals dissolve fully in the water. After that, you can turn on the water pump.
Decreasing Alkalinity
When adding muriatic acid into your pool, make sure to turn on the water pump. The pump must be running at the maximum level.
Then, distribute the muriatic acid solution all around the pool. This way it will keep your pool surfaces and equipment safe from damages.
Then, start the aeration process. In this process, the pump will help the solution to spread out and dissolve other particles in your pool.
You will be checking the pH level of your pool constantly. You need to check every 6-12 hours to monitor if there are changes in the pH.
5. Test it again
Once you have adjusted the alkalinity, depending on your pool’s need. Make sure to retest your pool water after three days. The three days will allow the pool chemicals to adjust the total alkalinity of your swimming pool.
If the alkalinity is not yet balanced, make sure to adjust it again. As much as possible, make sure that you need to read the instructions in your pool kit. This way, you will be able to get an accurate reading on the total alkaline substance in your swimming pool.
Final Words
For pool owners, it is important that you check the alkalinity level of your pool. Alkaline substances can be harmful if not check constantly. Make it a habit to check the pH level and the total alkalinity of your pool.
Get your pool ready for the warm season. Check its pool alkalinity level now!
Leave a Reply