The health of your swimming pool is dependent on the pH of its water—so, is your pool at the proper pH? At Royal Pool & Spa, we recommend a water pH between 7.4 and 7.6 because that range allows your pool chemicals to kill algae and bacteria effectively. That same range also happens to be the naturally occurring pH of human eyes, as well as a suitable level of alkalinity for human skin. When you maintain a water pH in this range, you can expect a clean, aesthetic swimming pool and a comfortable swimming experience every time. When your pool water’s pH moves outside that range, however, both you and your pool will experience negative effects. What are they? Let’s take a look.
What Happens When Water pH Is Too Low?
When your pool water’s pH is below 7.0, that means the water is too acidic, which can lead to pool corrosion over time. Not only that, but for human skin, exposure to acidic water is highly uncomfortable. Here’s what can happen when your pool’s pH is too low over an extended period:
● Skin becomes itchy, red, dry, and inflamed after exposure to pool water.
● Eyes experience significant irritation after exposure to pool water.
● Grout and plaster corrosion.
● Ladders, rails, pipes, and fittings may experience corrosion.
● Sulfate forms as a result of corrosion, which can stain the interior of the pool.
● Chlorine evaporates, which eventually leads to unsanitary pool water.
The natural pH for human eyes—7.2 to 7.4—is where your pool water should remain consistently for optimal swimmer comfort and water sanitization.
What Happens When Water pH Is Too High?
If your pool water’s pH rises above the recommended high end of normal—7.6 to 7.8—that means the water is too alkaline, or basic. If you allow the water to remain in this state for an extended period, you may experience the following issues:
● Chlorine reacts with the alkaline water, rendering it ineffective.
● Water becomes cloudy as a result of calcium carbonate development.
● Scale develops around the interior of the pool as calcium carbonate accumulates.
● Calcium carbonate may clog the pool filter, reducing its efficiency.
● Skin and eyes may become red, dry, and irritated after exposure to highly alkaline water.
When you allow alkaline water to remain in your pool too long, algae proliferation is a certainty as the chlorine can no longer effectively kill microbes and other bacteria in the water.
Pool pH: A Delicate Balancing Act
Keeping your pool water’s pH within the appropriate range is a constant balancing act, which means you must test the water on a regular basis, preferably weekly. Because anything that enters your pool can alter the pH of the water, diligence in balancing the chemicals is paramount for the most comfortable and aesthetic pool experience. This is where routine pool maintenance can be tremendously helpful.
At Royal Pool & Spa, we can set you up on a recurring cleaning and chemical schedule to ensure your water is always at the proper pH, or, if you prefer the DIY route, we can deliver your swimming pool chemicals straight to your door as you require them. When you partner with us, you can rest assured your swimming experience will always be a comfortable one, and your pool will remain in great condition long term.
Royal Pool & Spa: Twin Cities Pool Maintenance Specialists
At Royal Pool & Spa, we’re pool maintenance experts, which means we know exactly how critical proper water pH is for your pool. If you don't have the time to personally maintain your pool, our experienced maintenance team is here to help. We can set you up on a regular maintenance schedule to ensure your pool’s pH is always on point, so you’ll never need to worry about caustic water or unsightly algae development. To learn more about our pool maintenance and chemical delivery services, give our team a call at 651-779-7606, or feel free to message us on our contact page.