If you own a pool, you know how important it is to maintain the water chemistry. One of the key factors that affect the quality of your pool water is the pH level, which measures how acidic or basic the water is. The ideal pH range for pools is 7.4 to 7.6, which is slightly alkaline and comfortable for swimmers. However, sometimes the pH level can drop below 7, which can cause problems such as:
- Burning eyes and irritated skin for swimmers
- Corrosion of pool equipment and surfaces
- Reduced effectiveness of chlorine and other sanitizers
- Increased risk of algae growth and cloudy water
To prevent these issues, you need to raise the pH level in your pool. There are several chemicals that you can buy from pool stores or online that can help you do this, such as soda ash (sodium carbonate) or baking soda (sodium bicarbonate). However, if you prefer a more natural and eco-friendly approach, there are also some ways that you can raise the pH level in your pool without using chemicals. Here are some of them:
Aeration
Aeration is the process of adding air to the water, which increases the dissolved oxygen and carbon dioxide levels. This can help raise the pH level in your pool naturally, as carbon dioxide is acidic and will react with water to form carbonic acid. By removing some of the carbon dioxide from the water, you are reducing the acidity and increasing the alkalinity.
There are different ways that you can aerate your pool water, such as:
- Using a fountain, waterfall, or bubbler feature in your pool
- Turning on the jets or return lines in your pool
- Using an air pump or blower to create bubbles in your pool
- Using a paddle or a hose to splash or spray water in your pool
The more you aerate your pool water, the faster you will see a change in the pH level. However, keep in mind that aeration will also lower the total alkalinity (TA) level in your pool, which is another factor that affects the water balance. TA measures how well the water can resist changes in pH, and the ideal range for pools is 80 to 120 ppm. If your TA level is too low, your pH level will fluctuate more easily and may drop again. Therefore, you may need to adjust your TA level as well by adding some baking soda or alkalinity increaser.
Borax
Borax is a natural mineral that has many uses around the house, such as cleaning, laundry, and pest control. It can also be used to raise the pH level in your pool naturally, as it is a mild base that will neutralize some of the acid in the water. Borax is also known as sodium borate or sodium tetraborate, and you can find it in most grocery stores or online.
To use borax to raise the pH level in your pool, you need to follow these steps:
- Test your pool water using a test kit or strip to determine the current pH level and how much you need to raise it.
- Calculate how much borax you need to add to your pool using this formula: (Desired pH – Current pH) x 0.5 x Pool Volume (in gallons) = Amount of Borax (in ounces)
- For example, if your current pH is 6.8 and you want to raise it to 7.4, and your pool volume is 10,000 gallons, then you need: (7.4 – 6.8) x 0.5 x 10,000 = 300 ounces of borax
- Dissolve the borax in a bucket of warm water before adding it to your pool.
- Pour the borax solution into your pool slowly and evenly around the edges.
- Run your pool pump and filter for at least 24 hours to circulate the water and distribute the borax.
- Test your pool water again after 24 hours and adjust if needed.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is another common household item that can be used to raise the pH level in your pool naturally. Baking soda is also known as sodium bicarbonate or bicarbonate of soda, and it is a weak base that will react with some of the acids in the water. Baking soda will also raise the TA level in your pool, which can help stabilize the pH level.
To use baking soda to raise the pH level in your pool, you need to follow these steps:
- Test your pool water using a test kit or strip to determine the current pH and TA levels and how much you need to raise them.
- Calculate how much baking soda you need to add to your pool using this formula: (Desired TA – Current TA) x 1.5 x Pool Volume (in gallons) = Amount of Baking Soda (in pounds)
- For example, if your current TA is 60 ppm and you want to raise it to 100 ppm, and your pool volume is 10,000 gallons, then you need: (100 – 60) x 1.5 x 10,000 = 90 pounds of baking soda
- Note that this formula will also raise your pH level by about 0.1 for every 10 ppm of TA increase. Therefore, you may need to adjust the amount of baking soda accordingly if you want to raise your pH level more or less.
- Dissolve the baking soda in a bucket of warm water before adding it to your pool.
- Pour the baking soda solution into your pool slowly and evenly around the edges.
- Run your pool pump and filter for at least 24 hours to circulate the water and distribute the baking soda.
- Test your pool water again after 24 hours and adjust if needed.
Conclusion
Raising the pH level in your pool naturally is possible with some simple methods and ingredients that you may already have at home. Aeration, borax, and baking soda are some of the ways that you can increase the alkalinity and reduce the acidity of your pool water without using harsh chemicals. However, you still need to test your pool water regularly and monitor the other factors that affect the water balance, such as chlorine, calcium hardness, and cyanuric acid. By keeping your pool water in the ideal range, you can enjoy a safe and comfortable swimming experience.