How to Keep Your Pool pH Neutral
Summary
– Neutral pH: the difference between neutral pH and ideal pH
– Neutral pH and its variations
– Neutral pH: monitoring and maintaining the ideal pH
The pH or hydrogen potential represents the concentration of hydrogen ions in water. More simply, its value indicates whether water is acidic or basic. The pH scale goes from 1 to 14. The neutral pH has a value of 7, but unfortunately, this value has a strong tendency to fluctuate. For this reason, all pool owners know that a minimum weekly check is necessary. We will tell you everything in this post.
Neutral pH: the difference between neutral pH and ideal pH
The ideal pH is slightly different from the neutral pH. In absolute terms, it corresponds to the pH value of the tear fluid, which is between 7.3 and 7.8. For this reason, it is said that water with a pH of 7.4 is not very aggressive to the eyes.
Several factors determine the ideal pH value:
– The pH value must consider the water’s lime content and alkalinity. It can sometimes be illusory to want to maintain the pH at a given value when the other parameters make this impossible. The solution is to find the best compromise, thanks to the Taylor balance.
– Depending on the disinfectant used, the pH will be maintained at a slightly different value: chlorine is the most active with a pH very close to 7; bromine remains 80% active with a pH of 8.
– Depending on the interior linings of the pool, a different pH value should be maintained: around 7.2 for tiles and liners but around 7.6 for silico-marble linings.
The neutral pH and its variations
Many factors lead to a change in pH:
– The number of bathers can cause the pH value to vary significantly. Swimmers are the most significant source of pollution in a swimming pool, mainly through dust, sweat, and possibly urine.
– The weather: temperature variations, storms, or wind often cause pH variations.
– Alkalinity and hardness of the water, whether due to the nature of the filling water or to the degradation of the tile joints, for example, are also sources of pH variations.
– Pool treatments have a great influence on the pH value. Chlorine, for example, tends to raise the pH, while bromine has little influence. Flocculants also cause an increase.
Neutral pH: monitoring and maintaining the ideal pH
A good pH level allows good bathing comfort but also a good action of disinfectants. The equipment also appreciates maintaining its value at around 7.4.
The pH level must be monitored every week. Several means of control exist:
– The colorimetric test: is done using drops, tablets, or strips to be put in a pool water sample. The reading is quickly done by comparing the strip’s color to the reference colors on the bottle.
– The digital strip reader: An electronic strip reader is available for those who have difficulty seeing colors.
– The electronic pH meter: dip it into the pool water for a few seconds and read the value displayed on the digital screen.
The ideal pH value is maintained by manually adding pH plus or pH minus, depending on the case. Another solution is installing an automatic pH control, which will monitor and maintain the correct level of hydrogen potential.
