Benefits of Balancing Your Pool’s pH in AZ

Maintaining a pool involves more than just skimming off leaves and adding chlorine. One of the most important parts of pool maintenance is making sure that the pH levels in the pool are at a proper level. This is especially important for those who own a pool in Tucson, given the intense sun and the rapid evaporation rate of the water.

Why does pH matter so much? What are the unique challenges an AZ pool owner may face? What are the benefits of keeping your pool's water quality at a good level? E-Konomy Pool Service & Supply has the answer. We can also consult on understanding alkalinity in your pool.

What Is Pool pH and Why Does It Matter?

When a person measures pH, they are measuring how acidic or basic the water is. The pH level ranges from 0-14. A pH level of 7 is a neutral level. For pools, the ideal pH level is between 7.2 and 7.8. A lower pool pH, under 7.2, means that the water is too acidic. If the pH is higher than 7.8, it means that the swimming pool is too basic, or alkaline.

If the pool water doesn't stay between 7.2 and 7.8, there could be a lot of issues including skin irritation and eye pain. It can also damage surfaces and pool equipment.

Why pH Balance Is Especially Important in Arizona

In Arizona, there is intense heat, and this leads to high evaporation rates. When the water is always evaporating away, chemical imbalances are common. This is due to the fact that as water evaporates, chemicals and minerals begin to concentrate, which raises pH levels.

Another thing that occurs is that the dusty environment of Arizona contaminates the pool water, and this further disrupts the pH levels.

Sunlight can break down chlorine levels, too, which makes it less effective unless the pH is at a stable level.

Finally, pool owners must consider that many homes have hard water. This leads to scaling and pH imbalances.

Because this is all constantly happening, experts say that weekly water testing and careful management of pH and other levels, is crucial.

Here are some of the other reasons it's important to keep pH, alkalinity levels, chlorine, and other chemical levels in check:

1. A Lower Pool pH Causes Skin and Eye Irritation

One of the most noticeable affects of pH that is unbalanced is that it leads to discomfort for swimmers. When the pool water has low pH levels, it can lead to itchy skin, burning eyes, and rashes on the skin. When the water has high pH levels, it can make chlorine less effective. This allows bacteria to grow in the water, which can cause illness.

When the pH level is in the proper range, swimmers get more enjoyment and safety when jumping into the sparkling water.

2. Increases Chlorine Effectiveness

The main way pool water is sanitized is by using chlorine. However, chlorine only works effectively if the water is within a certain pH range. If the pH is too high or too low, chlorine is unable to kill algae and bacteria.

When the pH rises over 7.8, and once it hits 8.0, chlorine is only about 20% effective. The pool could look clean, but it could be full of contaminants. This is why it's so important to keep the pH levels stable.

3. Prevents Algae Growth

There is no pool owner who wants to deal with algae in the water. One of the main reasons algae grows is due to poor chemical balance.

When pH gets too high, chlorine can't work well, algae grows out of control, and additional chemical treatments, like shock, are needed.

4. Protects Pool Equipment and Plumbing

To keep a pool, there is a lot of equipment needed, including pumps, heaters, filters, tools for pool cleaning, and more. This is all expensive to buy. When the pH is too low, the water becomes too acidic. It slowly eats away at rubber seals, plastic fittings, and metal components of the equipment you are using.

Keeping the water balanced helps to extend the lifespan of your equipment, and you won't have to deal with corrosive damage.

5. Unbalanced pH Levels Harm Pool Surfaces

No matter what type of pool surface a pool has, an imbalance of pH can cause great damage.

Water that is too acidic can eat away at plaster pools, which leads to rough surfaces or pits. Pool water with a high pH can cause a buildup of scale and white residue on grout and tile. With vinyl liners, unbalanced pH can discolor the liner or cause them to become weak and brittle.

6. Saves Money on Pool Chemicals

If the pH is out of balance, the cost of extra chemicals to stop it can really add up. Pool owners might need to buy more shock treatments, stabilizers, algaecides, and clarifiers. Since pH imbalances reduces how effective these chemicals are, oftentimes, pool owners end up spending even more to get the same result.

7. Lower pH Causes Wear on Swimwear and Pool Toys

If the pH is too low, it will result in acidic water, which fades swimsuits, damage pool floats and goggles, and it will break down foam pool noodles. Simply following the process of keeping the pH in balance means that pool owners are saving money on these accessories.

8. Improves Water Clarity in the Swimming Pool

Even if other chemicals are being used, if the pH isn't balanced, it can also lead to cloudy water, particles that don't filter out, and metallic staining.

Clear water is a sign of a healthy pool.

9. Makes Pool Maintenance Easier for Pool Owners

Unbalanced pH doesn't just harm a pool, it creates a lot of extra work and costs for pool owners. Keeping the pH balanced means that there is less cleaning, less testing, and fewer treatments. This is a very cost effective way to keep a pool in perfect condition. E-Konomy Pool Service & Supplies can help provide customized pool care Tucson.

How to Test and Balance Your Pool Water Chemistry in Arizona

Step 1: Test the Water Weekly

A pool test kit or digital meter is easy to use. In Arizona, experts recommend testing once or twice a week.

Step 2: Adjust as Needed

• Low pH? Add a pH increaser (sodium carbonate).

• High pH? Use a pH reducer (muriatic acid or sodium bisulfate).

When handling chemicals, always wear personal protective equipment, like gloves.

Step 3: Maintain a Log

Track pH levels, weather patterns, and chemical adjustments. This helps spot trends and ensures long-term pool health.

Work with E-Konomy Pool Service & Supply

There are many benefits of balancing your pools pH. In AZ, E-Konomy Pool Service & Supply has all of the chemicals and maintenance products that you need. Even those with a saltwater pool need to manage the pH to reduce things like scale buildup and calcium hardness. E-Konomy Pool Service & Supply can handle this task for customers, too, with weekly pool maintenance services. Call today for more information.