Wondering how much shock to add to your pool? The exact amount you need to add depends on the size of your pool, the type of shock your using, and whether you’re shocking as part of regular pool maintenance, or treating an issue like algae. For general pool maintenance, add one pound of shock for every 10,000 gallons of water in your pool. But if you’re experiencing algae issues, you’ll need to add more shock:

• Light Green or Teal Green Pool Water (early-stage algae): Double shock your pool with two pounds of shock per 10,000 gallons.
• Darker Green (significant algae growth): Triple shock your pool with three pounds of shock per 10,000 gallons.
• Black Green (black algae and extreme growth): Quadruple shock your pool with three pounds of shock per 10,000 gallons.

Shocking your pool with a concentrated amount of chlorine is the most effective treatment for killing algae. An algaecide, on the other hand, is more effective at preventing algae in the first place.

What is Pool Shock and What Type Should You Use?

Shocking a pool is the process of adding a highly concentrated dose of chlorine to your swimming pool water. By quickly raising the level of free chlorine in the water, the pool shock kills algae, bacteria, contaminants, and chloramines.

There are several types of pool shocks on the market and what works well for one pool may not be the best choice for another. Here are the most common types of shock and when to add them:

Cal-Hypo Shock (Calcium Hypochlorite)

Cal-hypo shock is the strongest pool chlorine shock available. It’s the best choice for a strong treatment or if you’re combating algae. But because cal-hypo contains calcium, it can cause scale buildup in a salt generator. So if you’re a saltwater pool owner, use sparingly or consider another type of shock. You’ll also need to wait at least eight hours after shocking before you swim again. And unlike regular chlorine tablets or chlorine granules, cal-hypo shock is unstabilized chlorine. That means it’ll get destroyed by the sun’s UV rays, so you’ll need to use cal-hypo shock at night.

Dichlor Shock (Sodium Dichlor)

Dichlor shock has less chlorine than cal-hypo shock, but it’s still effective. You can use it for weekly treatments or to battle algae issues. Though it won’t contribute to scale buildup, it will raise your cyanuric acid (CYA) levels. Because it contains CYA, it’s stabilized and that means you can it to your pool doing the day. But you still need to wait at least eight hours before you swim again.

Non-Chlorine Shock

Non-chlorine shock is a great option as a mild, weekly treatment. It won’t affect your calcium or cyanuric acid levels and you can swim shortly after using it. However, keep in mind that it’s not an effective way to treat severe algae problems, since it acts as an oxidizer but not a sanitizer.

Still feeling confused about water chemistry and algae problems? Check out our Pool Care Video Course for more help.

How Much Shock Should You Add to Your Pool?

In general, add one pound of shock to your pool for every 10,000 gallons of water. But if you’re experiencing an algae problem, you’ll need to add double, triple, or quadruple the amount of shock. Regardless, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when adding pool chemicals to your water.

The goal is to achieve breakpoint chlorination, which is the level of chlorine needed to remove algae, contaminants, and chloramines from the water. In general, chlorine levels that reach 30 ppm mean you’ve reached breakpoint chlorination.

If you have high pH levels, high CYA levels, or high water temperatures, you’ll need a higher concentration of chlorine, and the shock may take longer to remove all the algae, bacteria, and contaminants in the water.

If your pool’s volume makes the math complicated when you’re calculating how much shock to add, consider rounding up to ensure your pool gets enough chlorine. And if you need help calculating how many gallons of water your pool holds, check out our pool volume calculator.

You should add shock when your chlorine levels are unbalanced and you need to refresh your sanitizer. Shocking your pool will increase your free available chlorine levels and decrease your combined chlorine levels.

• Free Available Chlorine: The amount of chlorine available to kill bacteria and contaminants. It should be between 1 to 3 ppm. This might
• Combined Chlorine (Chloramines): This is the portion of total chlorine that has reacted with the microorganisms in the water. It should be no more than 0.2 ppm.

How to Add Shock to Your Pool

There are a few steps to consider before and after shocking your pool water.

1. Test Your Pool Water

Use a water test kit or test strips to check your pool’s water chemistry. Ideally, your pool’s pH level should be balanced (between 7.4 and 7.6) before shocking to maximize the results. However, some shocks may raise your pH, so it’s okay if it’s on the lower end. Also note your CYA and Calcium Hardness levels if you’re adding shock dichlor shock (that will impact CYA) or cal-hypo shock (that will impact Calcium). The normal ranges for your water chemistry should be:

• Total Alkalinity: 100 to 150 ppm
• pH: 7.4 to 7.6
• Calcium Hardness: 180 to 220 ppm
• Cyanuric acid (CYA): 30 to 50 ppm

2. Prepare the Shock

Like all pool chemicals, always add shock to your pool water with the right protective equipment. Wear goggles, rubber gloves, and long sleeve shirt and pants to protect your skin.

The package instructions will provide guidelines for application. Some products can be added directly to your pool, while others should be mixed in a bucket of water with a wooden stick before being broadcast to your pool.

3. Add Shock to Water

Always add your shock to the deepest part of your pool first. Use a pool brush to disperse the granules to prevent them from building up in a single spot.

If you notice cloudy water, after shocking your pool, don’t panic: a cloudy pool is a sign that the algae is dead. Vacuum your pool, run your filter and consider adding a pool clarifier.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pool Shock

Need more help with adding pool shock? Here are some common questions and answers.

Can a pool be shocked too much?

Yes, it is possible to add too much shock. And if you have a smaller pool, it can take much longer for the chlorine levels to drop. Be sure to test your ph and chlorine levels afterwards and do not use the pool until the chlorine has dropped back down to 3 ppm.

How many bags of shock do I need for a 10,000-gallon pool?

This depends on the type of shock you’re using and the size of the bag. Your package directions will provide information on how much to use for your pool volume. Use more to clear up algae.

How long should you run the filter after shocking a pool?

Keep your pool filter and pool pump running for at least 6 hours after shocking your swimming pool. This provides ample time for the filter to clean the water and allows the shock a time to fully circulate within the water. If you are battling algae, run your filter after shocking for anywhere from 24 hours to a full week, depending on how much algae you have.

How long does it take pool shock to work?

Pool shock needs 12 to 24 hours to work to kill algae. Wait at least eight hours after shocking before swimming again. Test your water again 24 hours after your treatment. Once your chlorine levels are within normal range, it’s safe for swimmers again.

Should I shock my pool every week?

Yes, you should shock your pool weekly as part of regular maintenance. This helps keep contaminants out of the water and prevents algae growth from taking over. You should also shock your pool after any heavy rain, or after a pool party where you’ve had a lot of people in the water.

Does shocking a pool raise the pH levels?

Cal-hypo shock will slightly raise your pH. Non-chlorine shock will not influence your pH.

Can I use bleach or liquid chlorine to shock my pool?

Many pool owners use bleach or liquid shock in their pools. Sodium hypochlorite, a.k.a. liquid shock, is a commercial strength liquid chlorine. Containing 12.5 percent sodium hypochlorite, it’s stronger than store-bought bleach. Household bleach sold in one-gallon jugs contains 5 percent or less sodium hypochlorite. If you do use bleach to shock your pool, you’ll need to add significantly more than you would traditional pool shock to achieve higher chlorine levels.

Need More Pool Maintenance Help?

• Download our free Pool Care Cheat Sheet. It’s a free, easy-to-use guide to help you keep track of taking care of your pool.
• Subscribe to our Swim University YouTube Channel. We publish free video tutorials throughout the pool season.
• Check out our Pool Care Course. You’ll get 30+ step-by-step videos and a downloadable guide with everything you need to know about pool maintenance.

The post How Much Shock Should You Add to Your Pool appeared first on Swim University®.

If you’ve noticed that your total alkalinity is higher than it should be, it’s an easy fix. To lower the alkalinity in a pool, use either muriatic acid or sodium bisulfate (pH reducer). Here’s a quick guide explaining how alkalinity levels get too high and what you can do to lower your alkalinity in a pool.

What is Total Alkalinity?

Alkalinity acts as a buffer to your pool water’s pH, helping keep your pH levels from fluctuating drastically. So balancing your total alkalinity is important in order to maintain consistent pH levels.

Your total alkalinity should be between 100 and 150 parts per million (ppm). And your pH should be between 7.4 and 7.6. Anything much higher or lower will disrupt your water chemistry, affect your pool’s ability to sanitize, and can damage your pool equipment in the long run.

How Do Alkalinity and pH Affect Each Other?

If your total alkalinity is too low, there’s not enough of this helpful buffering chemical in the water to help stabilize your pH. When your total alkalinity is too high, the elevated alkalinity may cause your pH level to rise along with it. And that can reduce the effectiveness of the chlorine in your water.

So if your total alkalinity is in the normal range (100 to 150 ppm), your alkalinity will help stabilize your pH. And stabilized pH helps your chlorine do its job to sanitize your swimming pool.

By the way, we know pool water chemistry can be extremely confusing. So if you want a step-by-step guide on how to keep your water balanced, check out our Pool Care Video Course.

What Causes High Total Alkalinity?

Unfortunately many of the pool chemicals you add to your water can impact your total alkalinity. Similarly, low levels of chlorine and a high bather load can bring your pH and alkalinity levels up.

Cyanuric Acid

The most common chemical that raises total alkalinity is cyanuric acid (a.k.a. CYA or chlorine stabilizer). CYA is used to stabilize your chlorine and prevent it from evaporating due to the sun’s UV rays. And it also acts as a buffer to the acidity caused by chlorine.

For example, stabilized trichlor chlorine has a pH of around 3. So when you use trichlor chlorine to sanitize your water, you are making it more acidic. But because it’s stabilized, it contains cyanuric acid. And that buffers the acidity in your pool water. Buffered acidity can raise the alkalinity.

That’s why it’s so important to routinely test your pool water chemistry with test strips or a liquid test kit to ensure all of your levels remain properly balanced.

Low Sanitizer Levels

The other thing that can affect your alkalinity and pH is a high bather load in water with low chlorine. So if you have low chlorine levels and lots of swimmers in the water, they can leave behind contaminants that disrupt pH. And disrupted pH can disrupt the total alkalinity.

Pool Shock

You may also have issues with high alkalinity levels when you shock your pool. While it’s important to shock your pool on a regular basis, chlorine-based pool shocks are highly alkaline and will raise pH and therefore alkalinity. So you may notice higher pH and total alkalinity after shocking your water.

What Happens if Your Pool Alkalinity is Too High?

Since your alkalinity impacts your pH, and your pH impacts almost everything in your water, high alkalinity can cause a range of issues.

Causes High pH

If the alkalinity is too high, chances are your pH is too high. And if you have high pH, you may experience cloudy water and scaling. Plus scaling inside the pipes will restrict water flow, which puts a strain on your circulation and filtration system.

Reduces Chlorine Effectiveness

Total alkalinity levels affect your pH, which affects chlorine. And as a result, your pool’s chlorine will become less effective at sanitizing the water.

May Irritate Skin and Eyes

If the alkalinity and pH levels are off, swimmers can experience itchy skin and burning eyes. And it may also shorten the life of your bathing suit fabric and goggles.

Leads to Scale Build Up

Because high alkalinity disrupts the pH balance, it can lead to calcium buildup. And with high calcium, you may see scaling throughout your pool. You may also have visible calcium deposits collecting on the pool surface or calcium hardness buildup that you can’t see inside your pool equipment.

Creates Cloudy Water

High alkalinity can lead to calcium buildup. And high calcium levels in the water create cloudy pool water.

How to Lower Alkalinity in a Pool

There are two ways to lower total alkalinity: using muriatic acid or using a pH reducer, a.k.a. sodium bisulfate. Keep in mind that whichever method you use will also lower your pH levels. And check out our guide on how to lower pH in a pool for more information.

How to Use Muriatic Acid to Lower Alkalinity

Pool-grade muriatic acid is similar to the hydrochloric acid that’s used to clean concrete and brick, but with a lower concentration of hydrogen chloride. It can help lower total alkalinity, remove calcium deposits, and clean filters. But it’s extremely corrosive and more dangerous to handle than sodium bisulfate.

So because it’s an acid, always wear the appropriate safety equipment (including a mask to protect yourself from fumes) and follow the manufacturer’s directions on how to add the acid to your pool. Even though muriatic acid is somewhat diluted, certain brands require you to dilute it further before adding it to your pool.

1. Turn off your pool pump and wait until the water stops moving completely.
2. Calculate how much muriatic acid you need to add to your water. As a general rule, it takes 25.6 ounces of full-strength muriatic acid to reduce the alkalinity in a 10,000-gallon pool by 10 ppm.
3. Pour the muriatic acid into the deepest part of your pool and allow it to remain in the water for an hour.
4. Turn on your pool pump and let it run for at least 5 hours before testing alkalinity again.
5. After testing pool water alkalinity, retest your pH levels.

If you’re more concerned with lowering your pH than your alkalinity levels, here’s a chart to help you calculate how much muriatic acid to use.

Lowering alkalinity with muriatic acid won’t happen quickly. You may need to repeat the muriatic acid process after a few days if your levels aren’t within range. And if your alkalinity levels were literally off the charts, it can take several rounds of adding muriatic acid for your levels to appear within range.

If you need more help using muriatic acid, be sure to check out our complete guide on how to safely use muriatic acid in your pool.

How to Use Sodium Bisulfate to Lower Alkalinity

Sodium bisulfate, also known as acid salt or dry acid, is sold as pH down, pH reducer, pH minus, or pH decreaser. It works the same way as muriatic acid but it’s safer to use.

However, though this method is safer to work with, it is more expensive. And you’ll still need to store the dry acid in a dry place protected from moisture.

Keep in mind that this will lower both your alkalinity and pH together, so be sure to retest both levels afterward.

• Follow the directions on the product to calculate how much to add to your pool water.
• Fill a bucket 3/4 of the way full with water and add sodium bisulfate.
• Use a wooden stick to mix the solution until the granules have completely dissolved. Any undissolved granules may sink to the bottom of the pool and destroy its surface.
• Carefully pour the dissolved solution around the pool’s perimeter, starting with a deep end.
• Retest the alkalinity and pH of your water. If necessary, repeat the procedure.

Frequently Asked Questions About How To Lower Alkalinity in a Pool

Need more help bringing your alkalinity into range? Here are some common questions and answers.

How do I bring the alkalinity down in my pool?

You can reduce the total alkalinity in your pool with a strong acid, such as muriatic acid or sodium bisulfate (pH decreaser). Pay attention to the directions on the bottle, measuring and mixing only what you need to bring your alkalinity levels back to the ideal range of 100 to 150 ppm.

What happens if the alkalinity is too high in a pool?

When alkalinity is too high in your swimming pool, your chlorine won’t sanitize the water as effectively. And it can lead to calcium buildup, and cloudy water and irritate a swimmer’s eyes and skin.

How do you lower alkalinity without lowering pH?

Total alkalinity and pH are so closely related that it’s very challenging to lower the alkalinity without lowering pH. So adding acid to the pool will reduce the total alkalinity, but it will also reduce your pH. If you need to raise the pH after using acid, you can aerate your pool water. This will bring the pH back up without affecting the alkalinity.

Does baking soda lower alkalinity in a pool?

No, baking soda will not lower your alkalinity levels. When you add baking soda or sodium bicarbonate to your pool water, it will raise both your alkalinity and pH. Baking soda is great for pool owners to have on hand as a substitute for alkalinity increaser. And soda ash, a.k.a. sodium carbonate, is another option for raising your alkalinity and pH. But again, neither will lower high alkalinity levels.

Need More Pool Maintenance Help?

• Download our free Pool Care Cheat Sheet. It’s a free, easy-to-use guide to help you keep track of taking care of your pool.
• Subscribe to our Swim University YouTube Channel. We publish free video tutorials throughout the pool season.
• Check out our Pool Care Course. You’ll get 30+ step-by-step videos and a downloadable guide with everything you need to know about pool maintenance.

The post Alkalinity Too High? Here’s How to Lower Alkalinity in a Pool Quickly appeared first on Swim University®.

Is the pH in your pool too high? If the levels stay high for too long, you might notice itchy eyes and skin, cloudy water, algae growth, and even damaged pool parts. So you’ll need to add some pool chemicals ASAP to bring your pH back down to normal levels. There are two ways to lower pH in a pool: pH decreaser (sodium bisulfate) or muriatic acid.

For a quick chemistry refresher: pH measures whether a substance is basic or acidic. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, where 7 is neutral, anything that measures below 7 is acidic, and anything that measures above 7 is basic. When properly balanced, your pool’s pH needs to be between 7.4 and 7.6.

Everything that enters the pool has the potential to affect pH level – even the swimmers themselves. Things like rain, dirt, and debris in your water can also knock things out of balance. And even salt water systems generate naturally high pH levels. So because pH is so volatile, it’s important to regularly test your pool’s pH levels as part of your pool maintenance routine.

Keep reading for a complete guide on what affects your pH and how to lower pH in a pool with pH decreaser or muriatic acid.

How Do pH and Total Alkalinity Affect Each Other?

Your total alkalinity and pH levels go hand in hand. And it’s your alkalinity that helps keep your pH level stable. Without this buffer, the pH would wildly fluctuate. When your total alkalinity is too low, the pH becomes unstable. And when it’s too high, it can bring up your pH levels with it.

That’s why adjusting your alkalinity before adjusting your pH is so important: it can help bring your pH into range. Your total alkalinity should be between 100 and 150 parts per million (ppm). If you find that your total alkalinity is too low, but you have a pH higher than 6.8, use an alkalinity increaser. If your total alkalinity is too high, using a pH decreaser or pH reducer like sodium bisulfate will bring down both your alkalinity and pH.

Still feeling confused about pool chemistry? Don’t worry, you’re not alone! We created the Pool Care Video Course to help pool owners master their water chemistry once and for all. Check it out!

What Happens if Your Pool pH is Too High?

Once your pH level reaches 7.8 or higher, that’s considered high pH. And if your high pool water pH is left alone too long, can lead to a number of issues, including eroding pool parts and affecting swimmers themselves.

Reduces Chlorine Effectiveness

When the pH is too high, your pool’s chlorine won’t be able to clean the water as effectively. You’ll need to use more chlorine to get the same effect as before, which can affect the rest of your pool’s chemical balance. Without chlorine working effectively to kill microbes, you could end up with an algae bloom. And you may also end up with calcium buildup, which can lead to cloudy water and damaged pool equipment.

Irritates Eyes and Skin

High pH may cause swimmers to have itchy, red eyes. They may experience skin irritation, as well. So while many people think that high chlorine levels cause eye and skin irritation, it’s really high pH.

Erodes Swimsuits and Swimmer Gear

The high pH isn’t good for your swimsuits or goggles. Over time, the chemical imbalance may cause your swimsuit to fade, or degrade the fabric to the point where you can’t wear the suit anymore. Goggles may weaken and break sooner than you’d expect.

Damages Pool Equipment

The high pH will lead to calcium scale build-up, not just on the walls of your pool, but on your pool equipment, too. It’s possible the build-up will clog up equipment and block water flow in and out of the pool. This can introduce air into the pool pump, which will cause malfunction and may render it useless.

How to Lower pH with pH Decreaser (Sodium Bisulfate)

Most commercial pH decreasers, like pH Down or pH minus, are made with sodium bisulfate, also known as dry acid. They’re safer and less corrosive to use than muriatic acid, but they generally cost more.

Avoid adding it to your pool on a windy day, since this increases the chance the powder will blow back into your face while using it.

1. Test Your Water

Start by testing your pH and alkalinity levels so you know how much you need to lower everything. If your total alkalinity is also too high, don’t worry: the pH decreaser will lower your alkalinity as well.

2. Measure Out the pH Decreaser

Read and follow the manufacturer’s directions to figure out how much ph decreaser you need to use.

It’s okay to use less and add more later. Remember, it’s easier to add more to correct your water balance than to adjust the pool chemistry if you add too much.

3. Add the pH Decreaser to Your Pool

Pour the chemical directly into your water near the return jets and in the deepest end of your pool. Keep the pump running. Do not add it to the skimmer. If you’re a pool owner with an above ground pool, you may need to help stir the water yourself with a pool brush.

4. Let the pH Decreaser Dissolve

Allow your pool’s filtration system to circulate the chemical throughout the water and dissolve. You may want to brush away any undissolved clumps off of your pool’s surfaces, or it can damage your pool walls and pool floor.

5. Retest Pool Water, Repeat As Needed

Immediately retesting your water isn’t necessary, but make sure you complete another test within 24 hours. If your pH and total alkalinity are within the normal range, congratulations! But, if you find they’re still high, repeat the process again.

How to Lower pH with Muriatic Acid

Muriatic acid, also known as hydrochloric acid, is a highly corrosive and dangerous chemical. So if you opt for this method to lower your pH, you’ll need to take extra precautions. Cover your body completely with clothing. And wear thick gloves, safety goggles, and a mask to avoid breathing in fumes. Even though it’s not a powder, you still want to avoid a windy day because of blowback and splashback.

1. Test Your Water

Test pH and total alkalinity so you know how much you need to lower both levels. Muriatic acid will lower both pH and alkalinity together. But they may decrease at different rates.

2. Measure Out the Muriatic Acid

Calculate how much muriatic acid you need to lower your pH to the normal range. If your pH reading is above 7.8 and you have a 15,000-gallon pool, start by adding 1 quart (1/4 gallon) of muriatic acid. Then after letting the acid circulate for one hour, retest your levels. If you have a smaller pool, start by adding one cup of muriatic acid at a time. Wait for one hour, then add more as needed. Check out our chart below on how much muriatic acid to add based on your pH levels and pool size.

3. Add Muriatic Acid to your Pool Water

Because this is an acid, it can damage your pool liner if it starts to collect in one place. So always run your filter to keep your water circulating (ideally on the circulate setting). Remember, you can always add more acid later so start slowly!

It’s easier and safer to handle muriatic acid if you dilute it in a bucket of water first. The ideal ratio of water to muriatic acid is 10:1 but always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. And be sure to add the water before adding muriatic acid to avoid splashback.

• Method One: Turn off the pool’s pump and add the muriatic acid in a small, steady stream directly into the deep end of your pool. This ensures the acid will go directly to the bottom, rather than floating around at the pool surface. Then turn your pump on and let it circulate the acid through the water.
• Method Two: Slowly pour the acid into the pool near your return jets and let the pump circulate it. For above ground pools, add the acid slowly by walking around your pool so it doesn’t get concentrated in a single spot.

If you want more help safely adding muriatic acid to your pool, be sure to check out our guide.

4. Let the Muriatic Acid Dissolve

Keep your pool’s filter running (ideally on circulate) and let the chemical dissipate. It should be dissolved within an hour. But it could take longer if you’ve had to add a large dose.

5. Test Your Water Again

Test the pH and alkalinity again after an hour or two. If the levels are still high, repeat the process again, adding a little bit of muriatic acid at a time.

It should be okay to swim after one hour of pool circulation if you’ve only added a little muriatic acid. But if you’ve added a larger quantity, wait 24 hours before retesting your water and swimming.

What If the pH and Alkalinity Won’t Balance?

It’s not uncommon for either your alkalinity or pH to remain unbalanced after adding pH decreaser or muriatic acid. You could have added enough muriatic acid to bring the pH into range, but your alkalinity is still too high. Or you’ve added enough acid to bring down your total alkalinity to the proper level, but now you have low pH.

If both your pH and alkalinity levels are too low, you can add soda ash to help bring them up. But what if you only need to bring your pH into range?

You can increase your pH levels without affecting your alkalinity by using pool aeration (see our pool aeration guide for more information). Using a water fountain or pool aerator will create bubbles that help outgas carbon dioxide in the water. As carbon dioxide leaves the water, the pH will rise without impacting your total alkalinity. And if you need to bring down your alkalinity, you can add more acid while aerating your water to keep your pH levels up.

Frequently Asked Questions About How to Lower pH in a Pool

Need more help lowering the pH in your swimming pool? Here are a few common questions and answers.

How do I lower the pH in my pool naturally?

Lowering a pool’s pH naturally can be done in four ways: installing a distilled water system to pump in water, cleaning your pool on a regular basis, leaving it alone, and letting the pH level come down on its own as minerals build-up, or installing a pool heater. The heated water will be able to dissolve natural substances better than cooler water. No matter what, you still need to use test strips or a testing kit to check levels regularly and prevent them from coming down too low.

What happens if pH is too high in a pool?

When the pH is too high in your pool, your chlorine won’t sanitize the water as effectively. Swimmers may experience eye redness and irritation. Bathing suits and goggles may fade and wear faster than normal.

Can you swim in a pool with high pH?

It’s not recommended to swim in a pool with high pH. When your pool’s pH is high, the chlorine won’t work as effectively to kill bacteria. And high pH levels can irritate swimmers’ eyes and skin.

Will shocking pool lower pH?

Adding shock can actually raise your pH levels. If you use a calcium hypochlorite (cal-hypo) shock, this can raise your pH levels temporarily. So test your chemical levels regularly, especially after shocking.

Does vinegar lower pool pH?

Vinegar contains acetic acids, which are helpful for lowering pH. However, the problem with this approach is that you would need a lot (several gallons) of vinegar to address pH issues in your pool. And when used in high amounts, the vinegar will leave behind sugars and other impurities. The sugars become food for microbes present in the water, and the impurities may affect your pool’s chemistry.

Will baking soda lower pH in a pool?

Adding baking soda to your pool will actually raise the pH and alkalinity of your pool water. Baking soda, better known as sodium bicarbonate, is naturally alkaline, with a high pH of 8.

Need More Pool Maintenance Help?

• Download our free Pool Care Cheat Sheet. It’s a free, easy-to-use guide to help you keep track of taking care of your pool.
• Subscribe to our Swim University YouTube Channel. We publish free video tutorials throughout the pool season.
• Check out our Pool Care Course. You’ll get 30+ step-by-step videos and a downloadable guide with everything you need to know about pool maintenance.

The post How to Lower pH in a Pool Quickly with These Common Chemicals appeared first on Swim University®.