What Does Muriatic Acid do in a Swimming Pool?
Maintaining a pool is important for every pool owner because pools can get dirty gradually. If you don’t care for your pool, debris, dirt, and bacteria can build up, leading to serious health problems. It can also disturb the pool’s pH and alkalinity levels. So, it’s important to clean and maintain your pool regularly. In pool maintenance, various chemicals are used, and one of them is muriatic acid. But what does muriatic acid do in a swimming pool? In this article, we’ll explain its role in pool maintenance.
What is Muriatic Acid?
Muriatic acid is a diluted form of hydrochloric acid that can be found at most home improvement stores. It’s used for jobs like removing salt deposits from rock or stucco and rust and stains from concrete and brick surfaces. In pool maintenance, muriatic acid is popular for removing stains from the pool surface. It’s also used to lower high alkalinity and reduce the pH levels in the swimming pool.
Benefits of Using Muriatic Acid in Pools
Muriatic acid is considered one of the most effective chemicals in swimming pool maintenance. It has several uses in swimming pool maintenance and has many benefits. Below are some of them
1. Removing Stains and Buildup
If you don’t care for your pool, bacteria and minerals can build up, causing stains and calcium deposits. These can damage your pool’s lining, surface, or equipment, leading to expensive repairs. Adding muriatic acid helps get rid of these stains and protects your pool from damage.
2. Improving Water Clarity
When the pool’s pH levels get too high, the water becomes more alkaline, making it cloudy, and the bacteria-killing nature reduces. This can turn the pool into a place where bacteria multiply. Muriatic acid helps clear up the cloudiness, keep the water clear, and make the water suitable and safe for swimming.
3. Balancing pH Levels
It is important to maintain the right pH levels in your swimming pool. If the pH levels are too high, like 7.8 or above, the water becomes too alkaline, which leads to cloudiness, scaling, calcium buildup, and the growth of microorganisms and algae. While high alkalinity might reduce over time, it can still harm the pool’s surface, filters, and other pool systems. Adding muriatic acid can lower pH levels and protect your pool from serious issues.
How to Use Muriatic Acid Safely?
You should regularly add muriatic acid to your pool as part of your maintenance routine. While it’s very effective, it’s also corrosive and can be dangerous. To stay safe and clean your pool properly, follow the steps below to handle Muriatic acid effectively.
Step 1. Test Your Pool’s pH
The first thing you should do is test your pool’s pH levels. The ideal pH level for your pool should be between 7.2 and 7.8. You can use pH strips, but they may not be accurate. It’s better to use pH sensors, which are more accurate. If the pH levels are too high, add a small amount of muriatic acid to the pool.
Step 2. Use Protective Gear
Wear protective gear because contact with muriatic acid can cause serious burns on the skin. You should wear goggles and gloves to protect yourself from splashes. Make sure your arms and legs are protected with gear before adding the acid to the pool. If any muriatic acid does get on your skin, rinse the area immediately with running water.
Step 3. Dilute Muriatic Acid
Before adding the acid to the pool, you need to dilute it. A concentrated form of acid can be too strong. Do not add water directly to the acid, as this can cause a reaction and might spill acid on your skin, which can cause serious burns. Instead, fill a bucket with water and slowly add the acid to the water. To properly dilute the acid, add 10% of the acid to the bucket of water.
Step 4. Switch On Your Swimming Pool
Switch on the swimming pool before pouring the diluted solution so that the water should circulate properly throughout the entire system before adding the solution.
Step 5. Add Muriatic Acid to the Water
Once the water is running properly, slowly add the acid to the bucket and carefully pour it around the pool’s edges to help it mix in evenly. Do not enter the pool for at least 30 minutes to prevent skin irritation.
Step 6. Test the pH Levels Regularly
After adding acid to your pool, check the alkalinity and make adjustments. You can use either chlorine strips or a digital tester for this process. Follow the instructions for your testing device carefully. Also, wait until the pH levels settle before adding more acid.
Step 7. Remove Excess Acid
If the swimming pool has more acid, you can remove it by allowing it to dissolve naturally or by using a chemical clarifier. Balance the levels until you achieve the desired pH levels.
Step 8. Clean the Acid
After using muriatic acid, clean any spills and dispose of them properly. Don’t pour leftover acid down the drain or outside. Follow the local rules for disposal, usually by taking it to a hazardous waste facility.
Step 9. Store the Acid Safely
Unused or remaining acid needs to be poured into an airtight container. Label the container and store it in a place where pets and children cannot access it. It’s important to follow safety precautions.
Alternatives to Muriatic Acid
There are other alternatives for pool maintenance which are safer than muriatic acid. They are:
- Citric acid: Citric acid can be used instead of muriatic acid to lower the pool’s pH levels. However, it works more slowly and might need to be added more often.
- Baking Soda: The most common way to raise pH levels in pools. You can add it directly as a powder or mix it with water to dilute it.
Conclusion
Muriatic acid is a good and affordable way to maintain your pool’s pH. Proper use helps keep your pool clean and free from algae, microorganisms, and other contaminants. It is important to be careful when handling it and to use the right protective gear. Contact Canada Salt Group Ltd today to get the finest pool salt for your pool and keep it in perfect condition all year round!
