What’s a PH level?
When looking at the pH level of your water, it is vital that it is not too high or too low. Water that is either too acidic or too alkaline can lead to problems in plumbing and overall health. So, it is important to check your water levels regularly and be informed on how to change them if need be.
The pH level in your pool water is an indicator of its acidity. It is considered acidic if it contains extra hydrogen ions, and basic if it has fewer ions than you would find in plain water. For numerical reference, 7-pH would be considered perfectly neutral water. Ideally, your spa or hot tub should read between 7.4 and 7.6 pH.
It’s important to keep your water levels at the desired pH for a variety of reasons. The pH levels determine everything from the health of swimmers to the overall well-being of the spa and its mechanisms.
Why Are PH Levels Important:
Keeping the pH levels of your spa balanced may seem like a difficult task, but with these helpful tips it will actually be fairly easy!
The pH levels in your spa should be no higher than 7.8, as this can cause the water to become too alkaline, which will reduce the effectiveness of your chlorine. These pool chemicals kill pathogens and without the appropriate amount of chlorine, skin rashes may occur, and equipment can become damaged. One good indicator of unbalanced pH levels is seeing cloudy, murky water.
Low pH water can also cause spa damage because of the presence of too much acidity. If the pH level is too low, plaster, grout and stone can all deteriorate, leading to cracks or tears within your spa.
It is a good thing to keep in mind that low pH levels can lead to itchy, burning eyes. So even if the water does not blatantly look like it has unbalanced pH levels, these are good indicators to keep in mind. A quick testing strip analysis will let you know whether or not you will need to do anything to your water.
One of the biggest external factors to keep in mind is whether or not your pool has taken on a lot of rainwater. Other than putting a cover on when not in use, there is not too much you can do about outside influences such as rain or dirt and debris. Because of this, it’s important to check your spa’s pH levels regularly.
Your spa’s swimmers also play a role in this, considering any creams, deodorants, perfumes, etc., they could be wearing. We might not think about these things too much, but they can definitely affect the pH levels of your spa, so this is something to be mindful of.
Even though the idea of pH balancing might seem a bit overwhelming at first, not to worry! There are countless resources available to make maintaining your water easy, from asking professionals to buying the right products. As a swim spa owner, it is a good habit to check your water regularly.
How To Raise PH Levels:
To increase pH levels that fall below 7.4 to 7.5, alkaline chemicals will be required. In addition, a “pH-increaser” product can be found at your local spa or pool supply store. This will provide the desired pH increase levels. Instead of trying to figure out these things all on your own, it’s important to remember that there are many resources at your fingertips.
It is important to remember that swimming spas have a much smaller water volume than pools, meaning it is much easier to drain your spa completely if you need to. Say, for instance, you’re having trouble balancing your pH levels, there is a very simple solution to this. By draining your pool and refilling it with fresh water and chemicals, you can ensure that the pH levels will be where they need to be. You can eliminate all uncertainty by doing this without worrying about external factors altering your levels.
Knowing and maintaining the right pH levels is key to the longevity and functionality of your swim spa, and for the health and well-being of all those who use it.
Learn more and download our free buyer’s guide today, or visit us at our London swim spa store.