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How to increase pH in a pool starts with alkalinity. Yes, you read that correctly, alkalinity.  The first thing you want to do is get your alkalinity within range so that your pH doesn’t bounce.

Alkalinity Affects pH

TA is the water’s ability to buffer pH changes and is also a forecaster as to what is going to happen to pH in the future. Low TA will cause pH to jump in & out of range, while high TA will cause pH to rise. Once you have gotten your Total Alkalinity in range, many times your pH will adjust to the correct level.

If this is news to you, make sure you know your Pool Chemistry 101.

pH is Still Low, How to Increase pH in a Pool?

There are 2 common ways to increase pH in a pool.

1. Aerate the pool water.
2. Add soda ash (sodium carbonate) to the pool water

Aerating the pool water is my preferred way to increase pH in a pool. It takes longer but it is free and simple to do. Simply turn your return nozzles up so that the surface of the pool water is broken.  See, simple.
If you have a spill-over-spa, fountains, or bubbler you can run them for longer than usual; all the time increasing your pH.

Adding soda ash to your pool is a simple process, but can be done incorrectly causing your pH increase to be to much. If you add the correct amount of soda ash to your pool based on gallons, it is a simple process. Add to much and you will end up having to lower your pH. A good rule of thumb is to add 3/4 of the dosage amount needed to make sure you don’t go over.

Consult a Professional

If you are having problems with getting your alkalinity or pH in line, be sure to contact a pool contractor that does swimming pool services. If you or your pool builder performs simple pool maintenance, which includes maintaining your pool chemicals, you should have good clean water.

How to increase pH in a pool isn’t hard, it just takes time and chemical testing.