Pools improve blood circulation and can have a positive effect on stress levels and mental well-being. Keeping your alkaline levels equilibrated is key for a rewarding swimming experience, and if not properly taken care of, unclean water can even have legal repercussions.
High alkaline levels can have serious consequences, especially if you’ve just opened your pool for the season and you want to make sure it is properly maintained. Alkalinity keeps pH levels in balance, which helps keep your water clean and safe.
If you want to know how to lower total alkalinity in your pool, continue reading for some tips on how to do so.
Consequences of High Alkalinity Levels
High alkaline levels can have negative effects on pool maintenance and the swimming experience.
First, high alkalinity can cause pH imbalance. The pH levels range from zero to fourteen. Levels between 7.2 to 7.6 are considered neutral, below seven is acidic, and above seven is basic. When the pH is unbalanced, water might look cloudy and it can cause scaling on the walls and floor. If your water is cloudy, this can also mean that calcium is present in the water. These types of minerals are insoluble, which is why the water appears unclean.
Can low alkalinity affect chlorine? Yes–it can affect chlorine levels, and it can negatively affect the maintenance of the pool. It can cause the corrosion of filters, pool cleaners, heating systems, and pumps.
The longer you wait to balance your alkalinity levels, the harder it is to correct pH balance, but how do you know if your alkalinity is low or high? If your alkaline levels are unbalanced, there are a few signs that you might notice: cloudy water, high pH levels, and corrosion of nearby metal surfaces, such as ladders or railings. If any of these signs appear, it’s time to take action and correct the state of your pool.
How to Lower the Alkalinity Levels of Your Pool
With Chemicals
One way to lower the alkalinity of your pool is by using chemicals. While this is effective, using chemical materials might harm swimmers. There are a few different types of chemicals that can be used, depending on what type of pool you have.
If you have an indoor chlorine pool, you can use muriatic acid or sodium bisulfate to reduce the alkalinity levels. If you have a saltwater pool, you can use sodium thiosulfate or potassium hydroxide. It’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using these products so that you know how much chemical to use and how often to add it.
Without Chemicals
It is recommended to correct a pool’s alkalinity levels without using chemicals. One of the easiest ways to do this is to dilute the pool’s water with fresh water. This is done by draining some of the water from the pool, then refilling it with fresh water.
While this can help bring down the alkalinity levels, it may also reduce chlorine levels. Another option is to install an external distilled water pump that will automatically correct unbalanced alkaline levels.
The Bottom Line
It’s important for every pool owner to maintain their pool in order for them to remain safe and clean. One of the best ways to do this is to check the levels regularly and adjust the pH when necessary.
Hi, I’m Matt Harper, the founder of poolcareguy.com, a site I started with one simple mission: to help people around the world clean and take care of their pools and hot tubs on their own, without the hassle.
I’m not a professional pool cleaner and don’t have any formal training, I’m just an average guy who loves hanging out by his pool and hot tub and taking care of it. After many years on the job, I’ve become quite good at it.
On this website I will be teaching you absolutely everything I know about pools and hot tubs.
