Understanding and Managing Total Alkalinity in Your Swimming Pool
Maintaining proper water chemistry in a swimming pool is essential for ensuring a safe and comfortable swimming experience. One crucial factor to monitor is total alkalinity, which plays a key role in water balance and overall pool maintenance. In this article, we’ll explore:
- What total alkalinity is
- Ideal ranges
- Effects of alkalinity imbalances
- How to adjust alkalinity properly.
Your Swimming Pool's Total Alkalinity Explained
Total alkalinity (TA) refers to the concentration of dissolved alkaline substances, primarily bicarbonates, carbonates, and hydroxides, in pool water. That's the fancy explanation. In reality the most important thing to remember is that your total alkalinity acts as a buffer, stabilizing your pH levels and preventing drastic fluctuations. If alkalinity is not properly maintained, it can lead to water chemistry issues that impact swimmer comfort, pool equipment, and overall maintenance efforts.
Ideal Alkalinity Levels for a Swimming Pool
The recommended total alkalinity range for swimming pools is between80 and 120 parts per million (ppm). Maintaining alkalinity within this range helps stabilize pH levels and prevents water from becoming too acidic or too basic. The ideal level may vary slightly depending on pool type and sanitizer used, but staying within these parameters ensures optimal water quality.
The Effects of Low and High Alkalinity In Your Swimming Pool
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Low Alkalinity (< 80 ppm): When alkalinity is too low, it can result in pH instability, making the water pH more susceptible to sudden changes. This can lead tocorrosive water, which may damage pool surfaces, ladders, handrails, and equipment.
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High Alkalinity (> 120 ppm): Excessively high alkalinity can causepH levels to rise and to become difficult to adjust back down. This high pH level can lead to issues such as cloudy water, scaling on pool surfaces and equipment, and reduced effectiveness of chlorine. It can also make the pool water feel less comfortable to swimmers.
Raising Alkalinity Levels
If your pool’s total alkalinity is too low, you can increase it by addingsodium bicarbonate (baking soda). Here’s how:
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Test the water using a reliable pool test kit.
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Calculate the required amount of sodium bicarbonate based on your pool’s volume and current TA level.
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Follow the chemical manufacturer's instructions for pre-diluting the chemical and distribute the baking soda evenly across the deep end of the pool surface with the pump running.
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Wait at least 4-6 hours before retesting and adjusting further if necessary.
Lowering Alkalinity Levels
To decrease high alkalinity levels, use eithermuriatic acid ordry acid (sodium bisulfate). Follow these steps:
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Test your pool water to determine the current TA level.
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Turn off water features (if applicable) to prevent excessive aeration, which can counteract acid additions.
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Add muriatic acid in small doses, following manufacturer recommendations.
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Allow the water to circulate for several hours before retesting.
Guidance for Addressing pH and Alkalinity Issues When Using Muriatic Acid
Muriatic acid and sodium bisulfate are used to lower both total alkalinity as well as pH. As such when adding the chemical to lower one of these readings it will, in turn, lower the other one as well. Because of this, Pool Training Academy recommends that you first adjust your alkalinity levels to recommended levels and then re-adjust your pH accordingly.
It's all About Balance, Water Balance
By maintaining balanced alkalinity levels, you ensure that your swimming pool remains clean, safe, and enjoyable for everyone. Regular testing and proper adjustments will help prevent water chemistry issues and extend the lifespan of your pool equipment.
Knowing about the in's and outs of your swimming pool total alkalinity is only one of the many challenges pool and spa operators as well as homeowners face on a day to day basis. This article has given you a good, but brief understanding of a single aspect of professional swimming pool operation. Thankfully Pool Training Academy offers Certified Pool Operator® (CPO) Certification courses that will help you become the best aquatics operator you can be. To get signed up for a CPO Certification in your area, please follow this link: Click Here
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