Why Is the Ph Level Important for your Swimming Pool?

The Ph level of your swimming pool is one thing you definitely need to keep a close eye on. Each week you should be using a test kit so you know what your pool Ph levels are. Ideally, you want them to be as close to 7.2 as possible. However, anything in the range of 7.0 to 7.6 is thought to be acceptable and you shouldn’t have to do anything more to your pool. But however, if the level is too high or too low then you will need to take action and balance it out by adding the relevant chemicals that are needed.

1 – Ph level

If the amount is below 7.0 then it is considered to be too acidic. If the amount is above 7.6 then it is considered to be alkaline. There are many side effects that can occur when the Ph level isn’t balanced. You don’t want to let this situation go because there could be some things you don’t want to happen.

When there is too much acid in the water it can damage your swimming pool. It will depend on what materials your pool is made from. Those pools that are built with plaster are the most susceptible to damage. Even if you can’t readily see the damage taking place it is there. Instead of having a smooth surface, there will be tiny groves forming. In these groves bacteria and algae have a great chance of forming. As a result, you will find it becomes increasingly difficult to keep your swimming pool clean as you want it to be.

2 – Acid Too High

The acid will also react badly with any metal you have in the swimming pool this can eat away and corrode the steel. This can include fittings, ladders, and even the connectors to your pump. This corrosion can affect the way these items fit and they can leak and malfunction. Eventually, you will have to replace them at a cost. You will also find that your swimming pool is more susceptible to stains due to the sulfate that is released. These stains can be brown, black, or reddish and they will certainly stand out affecting the overall beauty of your pool.

3 – Acid Absorbs Chlorine

Too much acid will absorb the chlorine you place in the water as well. This means it will become cloudy and more algae and bacteria can form. You will notice a strong smell of chlorine even though less of it is present. This can result in burning eyes and the skin drying out. There are many owners that assume all they need is to add more and more chlorine to solve the problem but the problem is really the acid due to the wrong Ph level.

There are consequences when the Ph level is too alkaline as well. The same results can occur in reference to the eyes burning and the skin drying out. So when you have these symptoms it is wise to immediately check the Ph levels in the pool. The swimming pool will also become very dirty because most of the chlorine you put in it will become ineffective. In fact, it is possible that you will need to add up to eight times the normal dose to get the same results when the Ph level is too alkaline. The water will be very cloudy and that is something that makes it very unappealing.

4 – Calcium Build-up

You might find that you get a calcium build-up and this can result in various types of stains. If you don’t attend to it you might notice black stains developing along the waterline all-around your swimming pool. If you have a sand filter you will find it doesn’t work as it should. The calcium will result in the sand becoming heavier than it should so it can’t filter properly.

As you can see, the Ph level in the swimming pool is very important. If it is too high or too low you will have all types of problems to deal with. Make sure you test this every single week so that you can offset any potential problems that might occur. Effective maintenance is more cost-effective and efficient than having to deal with one problem after another because you didn’t do a regular Ph test.