| pH Levels and Your Pool Liner | | | | High pH in swimming pool water |
| Proper pH levels allow other chemicals to work | | | | High pH greatly accelerates the aging process and |
| efficiently, but it is important to note that low and | | | | shortens the life of the liner. Water which is |
| high levels can actually damage swimming pool liners | | | | over-saturated will attempt to throw off some of its |
| and equipment. | | | | content by precipitating minerals out of solution in the |
| Low pH (Acidic or Aggressive) | | | | form of scale. High pH in swimming pool water |
| Water which is under-saturated will attempt to | | | | may result in one or more of the following problems: |
| saturate itself by dissolving everything it comes in | | | | - Accelerated liner aging |
| contact with, in order to build up its content. Under | | | | - Scaling or calcium buildup on pool surfaces, waterline |
| the right circumstances with pH below 7.0, the liner | | | | and accessories; dull or cloudy pool water |
| can actually grow and develop unsightly wrinkles | | | | - Clogging of filter medium or elements |
| (Very Important to check your pH prior to closing | | | | - Drop in disinfection potential of chlorine, resulting in |
| your pool for the winter to avoid liner wrinkles in the | | | | algae growth |
| spring). Low pH in swimming pool water may cause | | | | - Burning eyes and nose; dry, itchy skin and scalp |
| one or more of these problems: | | | | The Remedy – Lower the pH |
| - Liner wrinkles | | | | Adding an acid to the pool water reduces the pH. |
| - Corroding of the metal pool accessories (steps, | | | | The most common chemicals used to reduce high |
| heater) | | | | pool water pH are: |
| - Staining, as a result of metal corrosion | | | | Sodium bisulfate – Bear pH decrease is a |
| - Rapid dissipation of chlorine, requiring increased | | | | granule or powder pH reducer, dry acid. |
| dosage | | | | - Muriatic acid - typically 30% - 35% liquid hydrochloric |
| - Burning eyes and nose; dry and itchy skin and scalp | | | | acid (Dangerous); |
| - Premature wearing on swimwear, pool toys and | | | | If the Total alkalinity of the pool water is within the |
| accessories | | | | recommended parameters of 80 – 120 ppm, pH |
| The Remedy – Raise the pH | | | | reducer should be added according to the instructions |
| Adding a base or alkali raises the pH of the pool | | | | on the container. The acid should usually be added |
| water. If the Total alkalinity is normal, Bear pH | | | | to water and mixed before treating the pool. The |
| increaser should be added according to the | | | | pump should be running while the acid is slowly |
| instructions on the container. The active ingredient | | | | distributed around the pool. |
| is sodium carbonate. | | | | How can you tell when your water is over or under |
| Often low pH is a result of acid rain and occurs after | | | | saturated? Use a good test kit (with fresh testing |
| periods of heavy precipitation. The normal tendency | | | | reagents) to measure the chemical parameters of |
| of pool water pH is to rise through exposure to wind, | | | | pH, alkalinity, and calcium hardness. |
| sunshine and bathers. | | | | |