How to Raise the pH in a Pool

If your pool is irritating your family’s eyes and skin, your pool water might have a low pH level and be too acidic. It’s an easy fix.

You can raise the pH in your pool by adding soda ash, baking soda, or Borax, or by aerating the water through circulation. We’ll explain four methods for raising pH and what causes pH imbalance.

What is Too-Low Pool pH?

Pool pH measures how acidic or alkaline your pool water is on a scale of 0 to 14. Swimming pools should maintain a pH level between 7.4 and 7.6 to keep swimmers comfortable while still effectively sanitizing. Anything below 7.2 is considered too low and should be adjusted. 

Acidic pool water can sting eyes and skin, corrode equipment, damage your pool’s plaster or grout, and cause the pool to use chlorine too rapidly. It can occur as a result of heavy rainfall, debris in the pool, or even products like sunscreen from swimmers’ bodies.

Four Methods for Raising the pH in a Pool

Here are four proven methods to increase your pool’s pH level. Each method has its own advantages, and the best choice depends on your specific situation and how quickly you need to adjust the pH.

Soda Ash (Sodium Carbonate)

Soda ash quickly raises pH with minimal impact on total alkalinity, making it ideal when you need to address low pH specifically.

1. Test: Check your pool’s current pH level using a test kit.
2. Calculate: Using information from the product packaging or the chart below, figure out how much soda ash you’ll need.
3. Mix: Dissolve soda ash in a 5-gallon bucket filled halfway (2 to 3 gallons) with pool water before adding to the pool. This will let the ash mix while leaving you room to stir without it splashing everywhere.
4. Add: Pour the solution slowly into the water, following the outside edge. Be sure the pump is running.
5. Wait: Keep people and pets away from the pool for at least 6 hours before retesting.

Quick tip: Measure chemicals carefully. I learned this when I eyeballed soda ash and added too much after seeing no immediate change. My pH levels swung wildly high. Always measure precisely.

Soda Ash Dosage Chart (in ounces)

Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate)

Adding baking soda to your pool will increase both the pH and alkaline levels, so use this method when both levels need to increase.

1. Test: Measure the pH and alkalinity of your pool water.
2. Calculate:We recommend starting with half the amount shown in the chart and then checking after 6 hours. You can always add more later. This prevents your alkaline levels from skyrocketing due to excess baking soda.
3. Add: Sprinkle the powder evenly across the pool’s surface while the pump is running.
4. Wait: Allow 4 to 6 hours for the baking soda to circulate before retesting pH and alkalinity levels.

Baking Soda Dosage Chart (in pounds)

Borax

Borax effectively raises pH without affecting alkalinity levels and helps prevent algae growth. It also remains active in pool water longer than other treatments, making it more cost-effective. However, it doesn’t work as quickly as other treatments.

1. Test: Always test before adding any chemicals to know the correct amount.
2. Calculate: On average, 20 oz. per 5,000 gallons will raise the pH by 0.5.
3. Add: With the pump running, slowly pour borax into the skimmer for even circulation. Alternatively, pre-mix it in a bucket of pool water before adding it, and break up any clumps.
4. Wait: Let the borax circulate for 24 hours before retesting pH levels.

Borax Dosage Chart (in ounces)

Aeration

Though slower than chemical methods, this method is gentle and chemical-free. Aeration helps raise pool pH through water movement that releases carbon dioxide from the water. Here are a few ways to add some extra bubbles to your pool:

• Create movement: Direct water features, fountains, or jets toward the pool’s surface.
• Maintain circulation: Run the pool pump continuously to maximize water movement. 
• Encourage splashing: Allow swimmers to splash and play in the pool to increase aeration.
• Waiting game: Aeration can take 24 to 48 hours before showing a significant change in pH levels.

Quick tip: After my pH rollercoaster experience, I now keep a detailed log of all chemical additions. This simple habit helps prevent over-correction and lets me track how my pool responds to treatments

FAQ About How to Raise pH in a Pool

Expert Pool pH Management

Now that you have all the knowledge needed to maintain your pool’s perfect pH balance, you’re ready to take action. While this guide provides the essential steps for testing and chemical treatment, we understand that pool maintenance isn’t everyone’s forte. If you find yourself hesitating with pool chemistry, Home Gnome is here to help.

Home Gnome delivers the best pool service experience at the click of a button. Simply book one of our reliable, professional pool services and leave the chemistry calculations and maintenance to us.

Related Reading

Whether you’re a chemistry expert or just beginning your pool maintenance journey, our user-friendly guides will help you master everything from pH balancing to sanitizer application. Your sparkling pool oasis is within reach.

Home Gnome delivers the best home service experience at the click of a button. Book reliable, skilled services in seconds and leave the rest to us.

Main Image Credit: Evgeniya Sheydt / Adobe Stock

Raven Wisdom

Raven Wisdom is an experienced DIY enthusiast and writer based in West Texas. Her areas of focus include home remodeling and upgrades, outdoor projects, gardening, and sustainable living. Self-described as half-feral, but mostly harmless, Raven is also a devoted mother of two children in an Autism family, and an active supporter of local humanitarian efforts and animal rescues.

Posts by Raven Wisdom