Maintaining a balanced pH level between 7.2 and 7.8 is indeed essential for both swimmer comfort and the preservation of pool infrastructure. Heres why this range is so critical:
1. **Swimmer Comfort**: pH within the ideal range mirrors the natural pH of human skin and eyes, reducing irritation. When pH levels dip below 7.2, water becomes acidic, which can cause eye and skin irritation for swimmers. Conversely, if pH levels exceed 7.8, the water becomes more alkaline, leading to dryness and discomfort.
2. **Protection of Pool Fixtures**: An imbalanced pH can significantly impact your pools physical components. Acidic water (low pH) can corrode metal fixtures, like ladders, screws, and even pool lighting, and damage grout and plaster surfaces. Alkaline water (high pH), on the other hand, can lead to scaling, forming unsightly white deposits on surfaces, pipes, and filters that can be challenging to remove.
3. **Respiratory Health**: Imbalanced pH levels can affect the pools chlorine efficacy, which may lead to the formation of chloramines. These compounds are responsible for the strong chlorine smell often associated with poorly maintained pools and can cause respiratory discomfort in swimmers.
4. **Combatting External Factors**: pH fluctuations are often due to factors like rainwater (which is slightly acidic), heavy pool use, or natural water evaporation. Testing pool pH levels regularlyideally once or twice a weekhelps you stay ahead of these changes.
5. **Strategic Chemical Adjustments**: To raise pH, adding sodium carbonate (soda ash) is common, while lowering pH can be achieved with muriatic acid or sodium bisulfate. Regular, small adjustments help maintain the desired pH balance without drastic shifts.
With routine testing and mindful adjustments, maintaining pH within the ideal range not only ensures a safe and comfortable swimming environment but also helps extend the life of your pools equipment and surfaces.
