Two of the most important measurements taken for your pool are the pH level and the alkalinity.
Just as the rooms in your home need proper maintenance to look and function their best, your pool also needs to be well-maintained. Pool owners are well-aware of the amount of time and effort it can take to keep the pool in peak operating condition, and one of the most important tasks is making sure the water is fit to swim in. Two of the most important measurements taken are the pH level and the alkalinity. If you’re new to pool maintenance or never questioned it before, you might wonder what these metrics are measuring and why they are important. Let’s take a closer look at each!
pH Level – Water Acidity
The pH level in pool water measures the acidity of the water. When testing a pool, we measure this number between 0 and 14. The smaller your number, the more acidic the water is – the higher the number, the more basic it is. Pool owners are looking for their pool water to measure at a pH level around 7.4 to 7.6; this indicates that the pH is in balance.
Low pH can lead to swimming pool damage over time – solar covers can get ruined, plastic parts become more brittle, free chlorine dissipates more quickly. And, perhaps most importantly, it can cause discomfort for swimmers in the form of dry skin and burning eyes. In contrast, a high pH can make pool water look cloudy and promotes algae growth. Neither outcome is great, which is why regular pH testing is so important to keep your pool in optimal condition.
Alkalinity – Water Baseness
Alkalinity, in a sense, is almost the polar opposite of the pH level. While a pH test measures the acidity of the water, the alkaline test measures the amount of alkaline substances in the water, which makes the water more base. The alkalinity test measures this in parts per million, and the ideal measurement is around 80 to 120 ppm.
Alkalinity can influence your efforts to make changes to the water’s pH level, so it can be challenging to use effectively if you don’t understand how the two are related. Too many alkaline substances can make it more difficult to change the pH, while not having enough can make the pH level fluctuate wildly. Ensure that you are using the two tests properly so that you can keep your loved ones safe when swimming in your pool this summer!
Do You Have More Questions About Swimming Pools? Ask Sunrise Premiere Pool Builders LLC
If you still have questions about how to build a brand new swimming pool, Sunrise Premiere Pool Builders LLC is here to help you. At Sunrise Pools, we can build and install your pool, spa, or hot tub and provide you with pool chemicals, services, and more. If you have questions, feel free to give us a call at 410-349-3852. To see more from us and for tips and tricks, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and LinkedIn.