Why is pH testing important for pools?

Measuring the pH in swimming pools, hot tubs and spas is vitally important to maintaining a healthy balance in your pool water chemistry. Testing your pool water for pH with a digital tester is an easy and effective way to gain insight into this key parameter for cost-effectiveness in pool chemicals while ensuring the pool is safe for use. Read on to learn why pH testing is important in pools:

Why is pH an important parameter for swimming pools?

pH is a vital measurement in pools as it affects the other parameters in your water chemistry. Dosing the water based on other parameters, such as chlorine level, without considering pH can lead to issues with your water quality. pH that is outside of the safe range of around 7.2 pH to 7.6 pH can cause a host of different problems.

It’s important to note that pH increases on a scale, rather than on a level, increasing at 10x per unit. A pH of 6.2, for example, is 10 times more acidic than a pH of 7.2, making a significant difference in the water quality of pools.

Problems caused by high pH levels in pools

If the pH in your pool is too high, this means the water is increasingly alkaline. Some of the problems that can occur with a high pH above the generally recommended 7.6 pH include cloudy water that is difficult to see through, damage to the liner and scaling and corrosion, reducing the lifespan of the pool.

Problems caused by low pH levels in pools

If the pH in a pool is below the usually recommended minimum of 7.2 pH, the water becomes more acidic. Acidic water is harmful to swimmers, causing stinging eyes and dry skin, which is particularly risky for younger bathers. Low pH also directly reduces the effectiveness of sanitation in the water, costing more in chlorine and leaving swimmers at risk of waterborne illnesses.

While this article covers pH in pools, this parameter is just as important for the testing of water in hot tubs and spas. Learn more about how to test water in hot tubs to improve safety and sanitation here.

How to measure pH in pools

As such an important parameter for swimming pool safety, measuring pH with a digital tester is an ideal solution for fast and accurate testing. Hanna’s range of dip-and-test electronic meters for pools provide a cost-effective and simple way to monitor pH daily or weekly, with no need for reagents or determining testing strips to get a result. Simply switch the tester on, dip it into the water in a consistent location each time and read the pH level directly from the digital display. 

pH is also affected by temperature, so it’s important to measure this parameter at roughly the same temperature you keep your pool for the most accurate results. This applies regardless of your pH testing method.

Alternatively, if you want an automatic approach to pH testing, an pH and free chlorine dosing system is a practical way to keep your pool water safe for use. These controllers both measure and dose pH and sanitation within swimming pools, making them the best combination pH tester and sanitation measurement option if you prefer to reduce the time spent measuring your water chemistry daily or weekly.

Shop pool testers today

Browse the full Pool Line range from Hanna to shop for accurate, reliable digital pool testers for pH. Our range includes photometers, testers and controllers to cover all important parameters in your swimming pool, from pH and chlorine to cyanuric acid and TDS. Shop the range online here.

Have questions for the experts? Contact our specialist pool ambassadors today at 01525 850 855 or at sales@hannainstruments.co.uk to discuss your requirements. We will support you with recommendations and guidance on the best pool pH testers and other instrumentation for your needs.