It's easy to ask yourself if you really need to treat the pH and alkalinity in your pool water, but you do! Here's why.
Low pH:
- Erodes grout and plaster.
- Vinyl liners wrinkle and become brittle.
- Water corrodes metals on hand rails, ladders, lights, and heat exchangers.
- Burns eyes and skin sometimes causing rash and ear infection.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/05d16d_9dafa7a72aa34928bd1e46e0943208aa~mv2_d_4608_3072_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_98,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/05d16d_9dafa7a72aa34928bd1e46e0943208aa~mv2_d_4608_3072_s_4_2.jpg)
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/05d16d_ee5506bad6274f03b0fbe4a83cfbc499~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_110,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/05d16d_ee5506bad6274f03b0fbe4a83cfbc499~mv2.jpg)
High pH:
- When pH reaches 8.2, chlorine becomes 50% less powerful at minimum.
- Leaves calcium deposited on all pool surfaces, especially at the waterline.
- Water becomes more susceptible to algae and cloudiness.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/05d16d_f3a4f310400f4cf587d61b4297d60d3c~mv2_d_1600_1200_s_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_110,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/05d16d_f3a4f310400f4cf587d61b4297d60d3c~mv2_d_1600_1200_s_2.jpg)
Low Alkalinity:
- Etches plaster surfaces.
- Vinyl liners become inflexible and brittle.
- Corrodes metals on handrails, ladders, lights, and heat exchangers.
- Quick fluctuation in pH levels also known as the pH bounce.
High Alkalinity:
- Stains form on pool surfaces.
- Difficulty adjusting pH level.
- Water becomes more susceptible to cloudiness.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b29d53_505451e239524d90b7868c3a08061adf~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_65,h_49,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/b29d53_505451e239524d90b7868c3a08061adf~mv2.jpg)
**Pool water should have a pH level of 7.4-7.6 and an alkalinity level of 125-150ppm**
If you're not sure what you're pH and alkalinity levels are, come into the store with a water sample. (Remember to go elbow deep away from returns.) We can test your water and recommend the chemicals to help you balance your pool perfectly!