What makes swimming pool water acidic?
When chlorine (in any form) is added to water, a weak acid called Hypochlorous acid is produced. It is this acid, not the chlorine, which gives water its ability to oxidize and disinfect. Proper chlorination and filtration give pool water its clear, sparkling appearance.
Does chlorine increase water acidity?
Using liquid chlorine raises the pH of the water. Liquid chlorine does not raise pH. When added to water, liquid chlorine (which has a pH of 13) makes HOCl (hypochlorous acid – the killing form of chlorine) and NaOH (sodium hydroxide), which raises pH. So the net effect on pH is zero (or almost zero).
Does pH lower chlorine?
Extreme pH changes can also affect how the chlorine works in your pool. Chlorine works most efficiently in water with a neutral pH level between 7.4-7.6. If the pool is too alkaline, or more than a pH of 8.0, the efficiency is less than 20 percent.
Does increasing pH lower chlorine?
pH affects chlorine levels when it is too high or too low. When the pH level is too low, chlorine is actually cleaning more thoroughly, but the pool water becomes corrosive.
Does rain hurt pool water?
Heavy rains will dilute your pool alkalinity level, causing it to fall by 5-10 ppm a day. Low Alkalinity and low pH levels in pools can create a corrosive water environment. Corrosive pool water can result in the damage of underwater metal surfaces, such as pool lights, ladders and rails.
Is rain water bad for pool?
Rainwater is known to have acidic properties that can negatively affect your pool water chemistry balance. This can affect anything from the pH balance to alkalinity levels and more. Aside from rainwater falling directly into your pool being a bad thing, something even worse can happen.
Will pool pH rise on its own?
Note: do not let your alkalinity down so low that it makes your LSI go below -0.30. This is only to be done with enough calcium hardness to offset the lower alkalinity level. The point is, if left alone, swimming pools naturally rise in pH. It’s just physics, and it will continue to happen.
Does rain lower pool alkalinity?
It is a fact that rain will decrease your Total Alkalinity level in the pool over time, requiring a pool owner to raise the alkalinity. Rainwater has a Total Alkalinity near zero. Heavy rains will dilute your pool alkalinity level, causing it to fall by 5-10 ppm a day.
Can you use rainwater to fill a pool?
Rainwater collected in tanks can be safely used for pools provided it is introduced into the pool through either the balance tank or into the pool at night to allow sufficient time for treatment before bathers enter the pool.
