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What Happens If Your Pool pH Is Too High or Too Low? Maintain pH value

2025-07-16 21:40:20
What Happens If Your Pool pH Is Too High or Too Low? Maintain pH value


The results of having high pH in your pool water:

If your pool water’s pH is too high, you can encounter some problems. One problem is that the chlorine in your pool won’t do as good a job at keeping the water clean. This means your pool could become soiled and unsanitary. Moreover, a high pH level can make the water appear cloudy and can create skin and eye irritation for swimmers. The first is it can cause scale and mineral to deposit into your pool, which is not only unsightly, but can cause damage to your pool equipment.

How low pH can affect the maintenance and cleanliness of your pool:

Similarly, a too-low pH in your pool can present its own set of issues. A low pH will result in water that is too acidic, which can corrode your pool equipment and damage your pool. It can also burn swimmers’ skin and eyes. What’s more, a too-low pH can literally cause the chlorine in your pool to work harder than it needs to, meaning it’s less effective at keeping the water clean. This can lead to an increased growth of algae and cloudy water, which is not enjoyable to swim in.

Why you need to periodically test and balance your swimming pool pH:

So, to help avoid such issues, you need to check your pool's pH level frequently. Ph test strips or a pH test kit can be used to verify the pH. In the event that your pH is too high or too low, you can use pH increaser or pH decreaser to bring it back to the desired range: between 7.2 and 7.6. Keeping the right pH balance also helps in maintaining clean, clear water that’s safe to swim in.

How to avoid and fix a pool pH imbalance:

There are a variety of ways to avoid or correct pH imbalances in your pool. A big one is to keep debris out of the pool, since organic debris influences pH level. You can also cover your pool with a pool covering to avoid evaporation and maintain a constant ph when it’s not in use. Cleaning the pool regularly and testing the pH can help you catch imbalances early. Also, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions when adding chemicals to your pool so as to not disturb the pH.