Can I add acid to my swimming pool?
March 08/2020 Muriatic Acid CAN be used in a swimming pool to help low pH or alkalinity! You should be careful when using this product as it is very corrosive. If you feel more comfortable with a safer alternative, we also have Acid Magic and powder pH adjusters.
The ideal pH level in your swimming pool is 7.5. It is important to keep your pH in that range for many reasons. Read on to learn more.
Downfalls of Muriatic Acid
- Extremely corrosive
- Harmful to skin and eyes
- Will eat away at surfaces if spilled
- Fast Acting pH decreaser
- Less expensive than other alternatives
- Strong concentration
There are two ways to test your swimming pool, either by test strips or a liquid drop testing kit. Using one of these methods is the only accurate way to measure pH levels. You cannot tell pH levels by simply looking at the water or smelling it. Issues can arise whether your pH is too high or too low, which is why it is ideal to keep it in the ideal range of 7.5.
High pH can cause calcium deposits and other hard minerals and metals to form on your pool surface or liner and also on your filter system and heater components. This will also make your sanitizer less effective, requiring you to use more than normally necessary. Calcium deposits will feel like sandpaper on the interior of your pool surface. When the calcium adheres to the pump, filter system and heater, it can cause restricted flow and even corrosion.
Low pH will cause corrosion of your swimming pool pumps, heaters and other metal components. It will also feel very uncomfortable on your skin, as the water is very acidic. It doesn’t take long with low pH to start causing major damage of your swimming pool and equipment. Due to the lack of hardness (pH) in the water, the water will therefore search for other ways to get its metal hardness back up to try and increase the pH and it does that by attacking the metal components of your pool or equipment.
Maintaining Proper Levels is Essential.
Incorrect pH will cause a lot of costly issues if it is not maintained properly. The closer the pH is to 7.5, the more comfortable it will be on your skin as it won't dry out your skin or make it itchy. It will also prevent your swimming pool surface from discoloring or your pool liner from becoming bleached or hard over time. Making small adjustments over several days will help to adjust your swimming pool pH level to the proper range without overshooting the mark and then having to readjust the other direction. pH can change from a recent rain, from usage or from adding fresh top off water to the pool. Continue reading here
Call Aqua Palace Today (712) 329-4180!
Want more information? Contact us. Aqua Palace is family owned and operated, offering above ground and inground pools, hot tubs, spas and saunas specializing in pool design, installation and repair to local (Omaha and Council Bluffs) and long distance residents (within the US). We are the only Marquis dealer in the Omaha Metro Area with the largest showroom east of the continental divide. Not located in Omaha? No worries, check out our online store for pool and spa chemicals, supplies and accessories.
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