The water in your swimming pool must be correctly filtered and disinfected.
The water must also be balanced. The values of the pH, TA and CH provide vital information about the quality of the water. The levels of these variables must be measured regularly. It is a matter of swimmers’ health as well as maximizing the life of your equipment.
Watch the balance of your water!
Three parameters must be considered and balanced: the pH, the hardness (CH) of the water and its alkalinity (TA).
- The pH of the water indicates its level of acidity. In your swimming pool, the water must be neutral or slightly basic (around 7.4). Certain factors can upset the pH of your water: changes in temperature, too little or too much disinfectant, etc.
- The hardness of the water corresponds to its concentration of limestone. The CH of the water in your pool should be between 200 and 400 ppm (mg/L).
- The alkalinity (TA) of the water indicates its concentration of ions of carbonates and bicarbonates. Its function is essential for the stability of the pH. The alkalinity must be between 80 and 140 mg/L.
You can measure the pH, CH and TA with strips or digital testers. It is very simple!
The pH of your pool water is a key indicator!
The pH, or the acidity of the water, tends to vary according to various elements. These variations can raise concerns. You need to check it regularly and adjust it, if necessary, in order to control the quality of your water.
What is pH?
The pH, or potential hydrogenates, represents the concentration of hydrogenate ions in the water. pH is measured on a scale of 0 to 14:
- If the pH is between 0 and 6, the water is acidic;
- If the pH is between 8 and 14, the water is basic;
- Around 7, the pH is neutral.
The pH of your pool water must be neutral.
The risks of a poor pH level
The pH of your pool water can vary depending on several factors: the use your pool gets, the ambient temperature, the amounts of the various products used in your pool, etc. Here are some potential issues if your pH is poorly balanced:
- The water can change colour (affects its purity)
- Limestone or algae can develop in your pool;
- Disinfecting products can lose their efficiency;
- Swimmers’ eyes or skin can be irritated.
- Pool equipment can deteriorate;
Regularly checking your pH will help you prevent these issues.
Checking the pH of your swimming pool water.
You will need to check the pH level of your pool water at least every week.
Perform the tests carefully. Wait for the recommended time and avoid doing anything that could taint the results, as they need to be precise as possible.
If you doubt the result of your test, redo it. By doing this, you will not need to use products to correct your pH unnecessarily.
Correcting the pH of your pool water
Do you need to adjust the pH of your water? A number of products are available to help you.
- When the water is too acidic, i.e., when its pH is lower than 7, you will need pH+ products.
- If, on the other hand, your water is too basic, you can make an adjustment using a pH- product.
Before using these types of products, be sure to carefully read the instructions. It is better to add a small quantity, let the product work for a few hours, then check it again and only add more product if necessary.
The pH can also self-adjust or adjust after a shock treatment. In that case, intervene only if necessary. An alkalinity correction solution that stabilizes the pH is available and useful in case of extreme variations.
A pH pump is also available. This pump is connected to a regulator. Its principal function is to automatically adjust the pH. A pH pump maintains the pH of your pool water and also means no more handling of pH correction products.
DON’T FORGET! pH is a vital parameter and often the source of various problems, including cloudy water. Check it regularly to ensure you keep your water clear and inviting!
