- 815-654-7665
- info@soncopools.com
- M-T 10am-6pm - Fri 10am-5:30pm - Sat 10am-4pm
After establishing the proper alkalinity in your swimming pool, the next water-balance reading to focus on is pH.
pH relates to the acidity of the water. For proper swimming pool balance, the goal is to maintain a relatively neutral pH.
In this Sonco Pools & Spas water chemistry training video, we demonstrate how to test swimming pool pH using a Taylor test kit, explain what happens when pH becomes too high or too low, and discuss how alkalinity and pH work together.
For this training series, Sonco’s ideal swimming pool pH range is approximately 7.2 to 7.4.
The target pH demonstrated in the Sonco water chemistry training is:
7.2–7.4
When pH moves upward toward the 8s, the swimming pool water becomes too basic.
When pH drops toward the high 6s, the water becomes increasingly acidic.
Both conditions can create problems, which is why maintaining pH within the desired range is an important part of overall swimming pool water balance.
The video demonstrates the pH test using the Taylor test kit introduced earlier in the Sonco water chemistry training series.
Following the test-kit directions, add five drops of the pH indicator solution to the water sample.
Place the cap on the vial and shake the sample.
The resulting color is then compared against the pH color scale on the test kit.
Color matching can sometimes be easier if the test vial is held against something white.
A white background provides better contrast and can make it easier to compare the sample against the colors on the pH chart.
The primary product recommended in the training video for lowering swimming pool pH is pH Decreaser. pH Decreaser is a granular product designed to lower the pH level.
The video also explains that muriatic acid can be used to lower pH. Both products are acidic and cause the swimming pool’s pH level to decrease.
One of the most important points in this training lesson is the order in which swimming pool water should be balanced.
Sonco recommends addressing alkalinity first and pH second.
When correcting alkalinity, acid may be added to the swimming pool. That acid can also cause the pH level to drop.
For this reason, you should first establish the proper alkalinity and then determine where the pH stands afterward.
The training video addresses a common situation: a pool owner tests the water every week but continually finds that the pH is too high.
According to the trainer, a common reason is that the swimming pool’s alkalinity hasn’t been addressed first.
Proper alkalinity establishes the foundation for more stable pH.
If adjusting the alkalinity causes the swimming pool pH to become too low, the training recommends using pH Increaser.
pH Increaser raises the pH level while having a very minimal effect on alkalinity.
This is important because you’ve already established the alkalinity first. You can then bring the pH back up without significantly changing the alkalinity you’ve just corrected.
For this water chemistry training, Sonco recommends an ideal swimming pool pH of approximately 7.2 to 7.4.
Low pH means the water is acidic. The training explains that acidic water is aggressive, can damage swimming pool heaters, and may irritate swimmers’ eyes.
High pH means the swimming pool water is too basic. The water can develop a dull or cloudy appearance, and chlorine becomes less effective as the pH rises.
Yes. The training specifically explains that chlorine isn’t as effective when swimming pool pH is high. Maintaining the proper pH helps the sanitizer perform more effectively.
The demonstrated test uses five drops of pH indicator solution added to the water sample. After the sample is capped and mixed, its color is compared with the pH scale on the test kit.
Holding the test vial against something white can provide a clearer background, making it easier to compare the sample color with the pH color chart.
In the Sonco demonstration, a 7.8 reading is above the desired 7.2–7.4 range. At this level, chlorine becomes less effective and the water may begin to look dull or cloudy.
The training recommends pH Decreaser as the primary product for lowering pH. Muriatic acid can also be used because both are acidic products that cause the pH level to decrease.
The training recommends pH Increaser when the pH needs to be raised. An important benefit is that pH Increaser has a minimal effect on alkalinity.
Sonco recommends balancing alkalinity first and pH second. Establishing the proper alkalinity helps create a more stable foundation for pH. After alkalinity has been corrected, test the pH and make any necessary adjustment.