Understanding Alkalinity in Your Pool: What It Is and Why It Matters

Most pool owners focus on things like chlorine or pH, but there is another thing to keep in mind, too -- the swimming pool's total alkalinity. Pool owners who have struggled with cloudy water, pH levels that go up and down, or scaling could have issues with the pool's alkalinity levels.

Understanding how to maintain water quality, including chlorine, pH, and alkalinity levels, is very important. Here's some more information about what alkalinity is, why it is important, how to test it and adjust it, and how it works with other pool chemicals. E-Konomy Pool Service & Supplies can advise on the benefits of balancing your pools ph in AZ.

What Is Total Alkalinity?

Total alkalinity, or TA, refers to how concentrated alkaline substances are in the pool water. Specifically, an alkalinity level measures bicarbonates, carbonates, and hydroxides. All of these substances help to stabilize pH fluctuations.

In other words, the alkalinity of a pool's water keeps everything else in check. For instance, if there is a pH rise, that could affect other things. A high pH will cause cloudy water, algae growth, and pH scale. When a pool owner is always adjusting pH levels, they are spending money they don't have to spend. Water that has a normal range in regard to alkalinity levels are more likely to have an ideal pH.

Why Is Alkalinity So Important?

1. Stabilizes pH Levels

When alkalinity levels are within the right range, it helps to keep your pool's pH at the right range. Without a balanced pH, any additions, like powdered or liquid chlorine, or contaminants, like sunscreen, sweat, or debris, can greatly shift the pH levels and make the water more acidic or basic. Low TA can make the water unstable, which lead to acidic water, unpredictable reactions, and higher maintenance and chemical costs. Also, if the total alkalinity is off, it could make the water resistant to pH adjustments, which requires even more acid. This could create cloudy water that is harsh on the eyes and skin.

2. Protects Pool Surfaces and Equipment

When the alkalinity levels are balanced, it also protects the vinyl liner, pool plaster, tile, grout, and pool equipment from corrosion. If the TA is too low, the corrosive water will start eating away at the metal parts, pump seals, heat exchangers, and even the pool itself.

On the other hand, if there is more alkalinity in the water than their should be, scale can build up, pool filters and heaters could become clogged, and it affects the water's ability to circulate. Balancing alkalinity ensures that the pool is clean and healthy.

3. Improves Swimmer Comfort

Another issues with alkaline water is that it doesn't just affect the pool, it also affects the people who swim in the pool. Low alkalinity can lead to eye irritation, itching skin, and a strong smell due to an unstable pH. If the pool has high alkalinity, there is a risk of more bacteria or algae. Contact us for advice on how to kill pool algae in AZ.

How Alkalinity Interacts with pH and Other Chemicals

Some people think that alkalinity and pH are the same. They are not. They are closely linked, but not the same. When the total alkalinity is low, it makes the pH wildly fluctuate because pure water has very little buffering capacity. If the total alkalinity is too high, it makes it more difficult to adjust the pH and neutralize acids.

Adjusting one of them will affect the other. This is why it's important to keep both in the recommended range.

If a pool owner adds acid to the pool, it will lead to both low pH levels and low alkalinity. Adding baking soda raises the TA, but don't raise the pH a lot. Adding soda ash leads to higher pH and higher alkalinity levels.

Those who are constantly trying to control pH, shouldn't just start trying different chemicals. First, check the TA.

How to Test Pool Alkalinity

1. Use a Liquid Test Kit

A liquid test kid offers accurate readings, and regular testing should be done. After collecting a water sample, these kits make it easy to test levels and ensure that they are in the ideal range.

2. Use Test Strips

Test strips aren't as accurate, but they can be fast and convenient. To use them, a pool owner can dip the strip into the pool water, and then compare the color on the strip to a color chart.

3. Use a Digital Test Meter

Digital test meters are the most accurate, and they give the most detailed results. Working with a company like E-Konomy Pool Service & Supplies can ensure that the water is always perfect with Tucson pool management services.

How to Adjust Total Alkalinity

Adjusting total alkalinity for pools and hot tubs can be done at home in the following ways:

To Raise Alkalinity:

Pool owners can use baking soda or soda ash to raise alkalinity levels. There are chemicals sold by pool stores that claim they will raise alkalinity, and they will, but the chemical is almost all baking soda. Keep in mind that if the pH is already high, baking soda, not soda ash, should be used.

To Lower Alkalinity:

To lower alkalinity, the first step is to turn off the pump and use either dry acid or muriatic acid and put it in one spot of the pool, generally in the deep end or near a return line. Allow the acid to naturally remain in the pool without circulating it for at least 15 minutes, but 30 minutes is best. Then, turn the pump on and allow the water to circulate for several hours before testing again. If the alkalinity levels are lower, that's good. If not, repeat the process, again.

What Causes Alkalinity to Change?

1. Rainwater and Debris

Rain water is slightly acidic, and it can dilute chemicals in the pool. Organic debris, like dirt, can also change the alkalinity level.

2. Evaporation and Refill

Arizona pool water evaporates rapidly and always need to be refilled. When refilling with tap water, it adds additional chemicals and minerals that will change the alkalinity levels.

3. Overuse of Acid or Shock

Those who frequently treat their pools with acid or shock oftentimes negatively affect water chemistry. Heavy use of these chemicals can lower the TA over time.

4. Incorrect Chemical Additions

Adding too much pH increaser or reducer without checking TA can throw everything off balance, including TA. It also can cause pH bounce.

E-Konomy Pool Service & Supplies Can Help Balance Alkalinity

If doing things like adding sodium bicarbonate and constantly checking to make sure there is enough acid in the water of a pool is overwhelming, pool owners can reach out to E-Konomy Pool Service & Supplies. With regular service visits, a pool can be pristine in no time at all. Allow E-Konomy Pool Service & Supplies to deal with the pool chemistry, and allow the family to enjoy the pool.