How Much Soda Ash Is Needed to Raise pH in a Pool?

So, you want to raise the pH level in your pool. Lucky for you, Pool Care Guy is your one-stop shop for any sort of guidance, resource, and assistance you might need to keep the water healthy for swimmers!

Whether you want to know if a pH increaser is the same as baking soda or are unsure of how long it takes aeration to raise pH, you have come to the right place. 

How Soda Ash Helps Adjust Pool Water

Unbeknownst to many, soda ash is simply another name for sodium carbonate—one of the most widely known and commonly used products for raising pH levels in swimming pools. 

Soda ash is an alkaline product that increases the pH levels of water without harming or influencing its total alkalinity levels. Total alkalinity, otherwise known as ‘TA,’ is a measurement taken to show how resistant the water is to rapidly fluctuating pH levels. You want your water to have a balanced pH, and soda ash is a pH increaser that ensures your TA remains unaffected when the pH is being adjusted.

Why You Should Care About Your Pool’s pH Levels

A pool that has an imbalance in pH levels comes with a greater risk of swimmers developing eye and skin irritations. If you are looking to beat the summer heat, the last thing you want is to have to also beat an infection caused by the water.

A properly balanced pool has a pH level somewhere between 7.2 and 7.8. Anything below 7.2 is considered too acidic, whereas anything above 7.8 is considered to be too alkaline. 

Getting the Right Amount of Soda Ash

Now that we’ve established a solid foundation and understanding of what soda ash is, what it does, and why it is vital to maintain proper pH levels in your pool, it is time to get into the nitty-gritty. 

The truth is, the amount of soda ash that you need to bring your pH level into balance will depend on several factors. The current pH level of your pool as well as the size of your pool both play vital roles in determining just how much soda ash to add. Another important factor often overlooked is the amount of alkalinity in the pool’s water.

But Pool Care Guy has your back, which is why we’re going to walk you through an easy-to-use formula that will help you figure out just how much soda ash you need to use. Just follow these steps:

1. Deduct the current pH level of your pool from the desired pH level. 
2. Next, divide your pool’s volume in gallons by 10,000.  
3. Multiple the answer to #1 with the answer to #2 to get the amount of soda ash you should use (in pounds). 

Let’s say you know that your pool has a volume of 30,000 gallons. You measure it and know that its current pH is 6.8. You know that you want it to be at 7.4. So, how much soda ash should you use? 

(7.4 – 6.8) x (30,000) / 10,000 = 1.8 pounds. 

Enjoy Your Pool

When your pool pH levels are the recommended ranges, you can rest assured that your guests will enjoy a safe and relaxing time in your pool. If you have any concerns or questions–don’t hesitate to reach out to the experts at Pool Care Guy today!