What Does the pH Level Mean?

• The pH of a solution measures its concentration of hydrogen ions to determine whether it is acidic or basic. pH is measured on a scale of 0 to 14. Solutions that have a pH of 0 are strongly acidic, while those with a pH of 14 are strong bases. However, a solution with a pH of 7 is considered neutral.
  
  

What Is the Ideal pH for a Pool?

• According to the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the ideal pH for a swimming pool is between 7.4 and 7.6, making it slightly basic. This range ensures that the water is comfortable to swimmers' eyes but also helps maintain proper chlorine levels in the pool and prevents scale formation or corrosion on pool surfaces. However, a reading within the 7.2 and 7.8 range is usually sufficient to avoid most major problems.
  
  

How Should You Test?

• For the most accurate reading, test your pool's pH level in the late afternoon or early evening. Use water from the deepest part of the pool or the area that is the greatest distance from the filter. Ideally, you should test your pool daily, but if that is not practical, try to test it at least twice a week. You can use a drop test kit or test strips to determine your pool's pH level. A drop test kit provides chemical drops that change the water's color based on its pH. Use the vial provided to take a sample from your pool and add the drops as instructed. If you are using test strips, you can dip the strip directly into the pool or take a sample of the water in a cup. Dip the strip into the water using a straight up and down motion. With either testing method, a color coded chart is provided to determine your water's pH.
  
  

How Do You Raise the pH?

• If your pool's pH level is too low, you must make it more basic. You can raise the pH by adding soda ash or sodium carbonate to the water. The amount necessary to raise the pH depends on the size of your pool, so consult the manufacturer's instructions for the proper dosage. Make sure the pool's pump is on when you add the soda ash so it circulates throughout the water. Retest the water to verify that the pH has increased.
  
  

How Do You Lower the pH?

• When a pool's pH is too high, an acidic substance must be added to the water to lower it. In most cases, muriatic acid or sodium bisulfate is used. Consult the manufacturer's instructions to determine how much acid your pool requires. The acid should be mixed with water prior to adding it to the pool, but be sure to always add the acid to the water and not the other way around to avoid possible injury. Pour the mixture into the pool's deep end and aim for the center so the fittings are not corroded by the acidic solution.