Will Shocking Pool Lower Alkalinity?

Most of us dream of having a swimming pool or hot tub in our backyard. It offers a cool escape from the summer heat and a better place for refreshment. However, keeping a pool or hot tub in good shape requires regular maintenance. One common issue pool owners face is high alkalinity. When you shock a pool, it raises the chlorine levels and kills any harmful stuff in the water, but it doesn’t lower the alkalinity. You must use certain chemicals or adjust the pH levels to reduce the alkalinity. So, while shocking your pool is important for keeping it clean, it won’t fix high alkalinity directly. In this article, we will let you know if the shocking pool lowers alkalinity or not!

What Is Alkalinity in Pools?

The water’s ability to keep the pH stable is referred to as Total Alkalinity (TA) in a swimming pool. The right alkalinity level helps keep the pH balanced, which is important for the safety of swimmers and pool equipment. The ideal pH level for a pool is between 7.2 and 7.8 on a scale of 1 to 14. If the pH level is too high, which can be referred to as “Alkaline”, swimmers might get skin rashes. If the pH is too low, which is called “Acidic,” it can cause a stinging feeling in the eyes.

Importance Of Total Alkalinity In Pools

Total alkalinity is important in swimming pools because it helps maintain the water’s stable pH level. The pH level refers to the acidic and basic nature of the water, and it is important to maintain the swimmers’ and pool equipment’s safety, as mentioned earlier. Total alkalinity also stops the pH level from changing quickly. When total alkalinity is at an optimal level, it acts as a shield, helping to prevent changes caused by external elements like rain and chemicals added to the pool.

Total alkalinity also helps pool chemicals work efficiently, which saves time and money on maintenance. The ideal total alkalinity level should be between 80 and 120 ppm. Keeping this balance makes your chemicals work efficiently and helps extend your pool equipment’s and surfaces’ life.

Alkalinity vs pH

pH is the most important metric; the pool owner is responsible for checking and knowing the pH level of the pool. Observing it makes you closer to getting the right pH level for safe swimming. The pH scale goes from 1 to 14, while 7 is neutral. Below 7 is acidic, and above 7 is basic or alkaline. Many things can change your pool’s pH, like sweat, rainwater cosmetics, leaves, and dirt. All of these have their pH, which can raise or lower your pool’s pH when they come into contact with the water.

The total alkalinity of your pool water needs to be right to stabilize it. Alkalinity measures how much alkaline material is in the water and shows how well the water can neutralize acids. If the alkalinity is too low, your pool’s pH levels will go up and down frequently. If the alkalinity is too high, the water becomes too buffered, making it hard to change the pH levels.

What Causes High Alkalinity In Pools?

High alkalinity can also be influenced by the source water used to fill the pool. Some regions have naturally high alkalinity in their water sources, which can transfer into the pool when it is filled. Water used to fill the pool can also be a reason for high alkalinity. In some areas, the water naturally has high alkalinity. Testing the water before filling the pool can help you recognize any alkalinity issues.

What Is Pool Shocking?

Pool shocking means adding chemicals to the water to kill bacteria, algae, and other harmful stuff. The word “shocking” is used because a large amount of chlorine or other chemicals, like muriatic acid, is added to give the water a strong dose of cleaning power. This powerful dose can kill any bacteria or algae built up over time. There are different pool shock chemicals, but the most common is calcium hypochlorite. When shocking your pool, following the instructions carefully and wearing protective gloves and goggles is important.

What Happens if Your Pool Alkalinity is Too High?

Since alkalinity affects pH, which affects almost everything in the water, high alkalinity can lead to problems like those mentioned below.

1. Causes High pH

Alkalinity is directly proportional to your pH. If there is a high pH, the water can develop scaling, blocking the pipes and putting extra pressure on the pool’s circulation system.

2. Reduces Chlorine Effectiveness

Total alkalinity affects pH, which then affects chlorine. Because of this, your pool’s chlorine becomes less effective in keeping the water clean.

3. May Irritate the Skin and Eyes

The high alkalinity and pH can irritate the skin and eyes. It also shortens the life of goggles and the fabric of swimsuits.

4. Leads to Scale Build-up

Calcium build-up happens due to high alkalinity. High calcium levels can lead to the scaling in your pool. You might notice calcium deposits on the pool surface or have calcium build-up inside your pool equipment that isn’t visible.

Best Methods to Lower Alkalinity of Your Pool

The quickest way to lower your pool’s alkalinity is to use chemicals that reduce pH levels. No natural methods are effective. The most common and effective chemicals for lowering high alkalinity are Muriatic Acid and Sodium Bisulfate.

Using Muriatic Acid for Your Swimming Pool

Muriatic acid is similar to hydrochloric acid and is a multipurpose cleaner for your swimming pool. It lowers the alkalinity and cleans the pool surface, cartridges, and filters effectively. Below, we have mentioned step by step on how to use the muriatic acid:

• Start the pool pump for some time until all the water is completely circulating.
• Use safety gear to avoid the corrosiveness of the acid.
• Prepare the required amount of solution using a pool calculator or by understanding the instructions on the packaging label.
• Add the liquid to different spots of the pool and allow it to settle down.
• Run the pool pump for about 5-6 hours and test the alkalinity and pH levels after 24 hours.
• If the desired level of alkalinity is not achieved, repeat the process.

Using Sodium Bisulfate for Your Swimming Pool

Like muriatic acid, using sodium bisulfate or dry acid is an effective way to lower pH. It works more slowly, costs a bit more, and needs to be kept dry, but it’s a safer choice.

• The pH decreaser will be in a powdered form
• Calculate the required amount of powder for the pool by reading the label
• Take the bucket, add the given amount of powder, and mix it properly.
• Undissolved powder granules can damage the pool surface, so mix it well.
• Add the mixture to the pool water
• Let the solution sit in the pool for about one hour before turning on the pump.
• After 24 hours, check the alkalinity levels and repeat the process till you get the desired pH and alkalinity level.

Lower Alkalinity without Affecting pH in a Pool

Using muriatic acid or sodium bisulfate has some effects. These chemicals will also lower the alkalinity and pH levels of pool water. Sometimes, the pH might be okay, but the alkalinity is still too high. It’s important to focus on reducing the alkalinity without lowering the pH too much. Lowering alkalinity will naturally lower the pH, so you must add another step. After treating the pool with acid, you can use aeration to increase air exposure in the pool water.

Conclusion

Total alkalinity is important for keeping your pool clean, clear, and safe. It helps keep the pH level steady, prevents sudden changes in pH, and protects the pool’s equipment and surfaces. Although shocking, the pool mainly deals with chlorine and removes contaminants, and it doesn’t directly change the total alkalinity. Trust CanadaSalt Group Ltd for your bulk pool salt needs. Our high-quality salt helps maintain optimal alkalinity, stabilize pH levels, and ensure your pool stays clean and safe. Contact us today to get the best bulk pool salt and keep your pool in top shape!