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pH

pH is an essential part of your pool care. If pH and total alkalinity are controlled, most problems with pool water care can be avoided.
pH is the measure of how acidic or basic the water is. The pH is measured on a scale of 0 to 14, 7.0 being neutral. Values below 7.0 are considered acidic, values above 7.0 are said to be basic or alkaline. Ideal range for pool water is 7.4 to 7.6. Even though 7.0 is neutral, it is not recommended to keep the pH of your pool water at that level. The normal pH level in a human body is slightly basic. Since the pH of our eyes is about 7.4, water at a neutral reading (7.0) can cause irritation. Keeping your pH as close to 7.4 will offer swimmers the most comfort.

Low pH Will Cause:

Corroded metals
Eye and skin irritation
Lowered alkalinity level

Solution:

Use sodium carbonate also called pH Up & broadcast amount over the pool’s surface

High pH Will Cause:

Scale formation
Cloudy water
Eye and skin irritation
Poor chlorine efficiency

Solution:

Use sodium bisulfate, also called pH Down & broadcast amount over the pool’s surface

     pH has an effect on chlorine’s ability to sanitize your water. Sanitizing is the process of destroying microorganisms and bacteria. Where you keep your pH level will determine the effectiveness of chlorine in your pool. When your pH deviates from the ideal range, chlorine is no longer as effective as when it is in the ideal range.
     At the most effective pH level, chlorine will work to immediately sanitize the water, but some chlorine will also remain in reserve for later problems that could occur. You need to keep a chlorine residual in order for chlorine to be most effective.
     When pH is high, you have very little active chlorine, which means very little chlorine is available to fight off bacteria/virus and algae. With little chlorine in your water, this is a great environment for bacteria and algae to grow in, which leads to everyone’s number one problem with pool care—green water.
     By keeping your pH in the ideal range of 7.4 to 7.6, chlorine is being used effectively. You will also soon discover that this gives you the most comfortable water to swim in.

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