How to Lower pH Levels in Pool Safely

Pool owners must be vigilant when it comes to balancing the pH in their pool. A low pH level can lead to corrosion and, in some cases, scaling. This blog post will instruct how to lower the pH level of your pool safely without risking damage or discomfort for you or your guests.

You’ll learn about basic chemistry and how it’s important for your pool’s health. We’ll also give you tips on how to take care of your water chemistry and what products you can use.

To learn more, check out the rest of our blog post!

What’s the correct pH level for a pool?

Most pool experts recommend an optimal pH range of 7.2 to 7.6. It’s pretty much the same as the pH in mucus membrane and human eyes.

What happens if the pH level is too high in a pool?

• There will be a decrease in the amount of chlorine that is available for sanitizing
• Algae will grow and consume all of the oxygen in the pool
• The water may turn green and cloudy
• It can lead to corrosion and excessive scaling

What causes high pH in a pool?

High pH levels can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

• Excessive use of granulated or liquid chlorine
• Inappropriate sanitizer 
• Natural organic material decomposition
• Malfunction in the chlorinator
• High levels of phosphates
• Natural processes, such as rainwater or snowmelt

How do I lower the pH in my pool safely?

Use muriatic acid

To lower the pH in your pool safely, you’ll want to add a chemical called muriatic acid. It’s a strong acid that will dissolve minerals in the water and keep pool water clear and sparkling.

Mix the acid into the pool water by pouring it over the surface or by using a dosing pump. Also, you can add it to a bucket of water and then dump it into the pool.

But it’s important to use caution with muriatic acid because it can cause skin burns and eye irritation. So, be sure to always wear protective gear.

But, how much muriatic acid should you add to your pool?

Well, if the pH level reads 7.8 or higher, add one quart of muriatic acid to 20,000 gallons of water. Also, you can use a pool calculator that can be found online.

The chart below paints a clear picture of how much acid to add based on the volume of your pool.

Add sodium bisulfate

One common method is by adding sodium bisulfate (aka “salt”). This process works by converting excess hydrogen ions in your pool into hydroxide ions in order to balance out the pH levels in your swimming pool.

But in order to get your pool water’s pH level where it should be, you’ll need to know how much sodium bisulfate you’ll need. Well, for this purpose, you’ll need to add 2 pounds of sodium bisulfate for every 10,000 gallons of water in the pool.

Well, you can add ¾ of what’s recommended by the manufacturer. However, avoid adding too much. This is because any excess will cause damage to your vinyl liner.

To use sodium bisulfate:

Step 1

Test the levels of chemicals in your pool. If it’s higher than 7.6, it’s time to re-balance.

Step 2

Read the manufacturer’s instructions to determine how much to add.

Step 3

Dissolve in a bucket of water and add to the pool. We recommend pouring the mixture near the jets to give it more time to spread evenly.

Give the sodium bisulfate treatment at least 6 hours before using the pool.

Use calcium hardness reducer

Most people want their pools to be as clear and clean as possible. To make this happen, they use a pH reducer such as a calcium hardness reducer to keep the water’s pH at a lower level. This will help prevent the growth of algae and other harmful things that can affect your pool.

Most often, calcium hardness is reduced by dilution with fresh water. To do this, drain your hard pool water partially or completely and replace it with fresh water. Also, you might want to lower the use of calcium-based disinfectants.

Add phosphate remover

To lower the pH of your pool, you can add a phosphate remover. Phosphates in pool water cause the water to be cloudy and the pH level to rise. A phosphate remover works by removing phosphates from your pool water, causing the pH level to go down and make your pool become clearer.

PHOS Free Phosphate Remover is one of the best products that guarantee zero phosphates. Not only is it the most effective way to remove phosphates, but it’s also quick and easy to use. Simply add to the skimmer, and you’re good to go.

Use vinegar

There’s a cheap and easy solution: vinegar. You don’t need much, and it will help balance the pool water. Here are some easy steps:

Step 1

Get a bucket and fill it with half water and half vinegar (this ratio is good for about 100 gallons of water).

Step 2

Add this mixture to your pool by pouring it into your skimmer or by simply dropping the whole bucket in.

Step 3

Allow the mixture to circulate for 15 minutes before using the pool.

Conclusion

If you’ve been looking for ways to lower pH levels in your pool, now you have the answer.

However, many factors will determine the best method and product for the job. How quickly can it work? Does it contain harsh chemicals? Is it easy to maintain? What are the side effects? Can I use it with my existing system? What does it cost? How long will my results last before needing to reapplication?

Luckily, these methods don’t cost a fortune and provide long-term solutions. Also, they work best with most pool systems and have no serious side effects to worry about.

So, feel free to choose what works best for your pocket and the situation at hand.