Maintaining the perfect water balance in your swimming pool is essential for both swimmer comfort and the longevity of your pool equipment. One of the most crucial but often misunderstood aspects of pool chemistry is total alkalinity. Many pool owners struggle with how to raise alkalinity in the pool without affecting pH, as these two factors are closely linked.
At Anomaly Pool Services, we specialize in helping pool owners achieve optimal water chemistry with expert advice and professional maintenance. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explain:
By the end of this article, you’ll have a clear understanding of how to maintain balanced pool water effortlessly.
Before adjusting your pool’s chemistry, it’s crucial to understand what alkalinity is and why it matters.
Total alkalinity (TA) measures the water’s ability to resist pH changes by neutralizing acids. It acts as a buffer, preventing sudden spikes or drops in pH.
Since alkalinity stabilizes pH, increasing it often raises pH as well. However, certain methods allow you to raise alkalinity without significantly affecting pH, which is crucial for maintaining balanced water.
If your pool’s alkalinity is too low, follow these proven methods to increase it while keeping pH stable.
The safest and most effective alkalinity Increaser for swimming pools is sodium bicarbonate (baking soda). Unlike soda ash (which raises pH significantly), baking soda primarily increases alkalinity with minimal pH impact.
If your pH rises slightly after adding baking soda, aeration can help lower it naturally without affecting alkalinity.
While soda ash (sodium carbonate) raises both pH and alkalinity, it’s not ideal if you only want to increase alkalinity. Stick to baking soda for better control.
If you prefer a pre-measured solution, commercial alkalinity Increasers (like Arm & Hammer Pool Care Alkalinity Up or Clorox Pool&Spa Alkalinity Booster) are convenient alternatives.
Choosing the right product is crucial for maintaining balance. Here are the top options recommended by Anomaly Pool Services:
Requires precise measurement.
Slightly more expensive than baking soda.
Many pool owners make these errors when trying to balance their water:
Soda ash raises pH too quickly, making it harder to stabilize.
Always add alkalinity Increaser gradually and retest before adding more.
Aeration helps stabilize pH if it rises slightly after adding an alkalinity Increaser.
Yes! Baking soda is the best option because it has a minimal effect on pH compared to soda ash.
After adding baking soda, wait 4–6 hours before retesting. Full circulation may take up to 24 hours.
Use aeration or a pH reducer (muriatic acid) in small doses to bring pH back down.
Test alkalinity at least once a week, especially after heavy rain or chemical adjustments.
Yes! Low alkalinity leads to:
Balancing swimming pool alkalinity can be complex, but you don’t have to do it alone. Anomaly Pool Services offers expert water testing and chemical adjustments to keep your pool in perfect condition.
Contact Anomaly Pool Services today for a FREE water analysis!
Now that you know how to raise alkalinity in the pool without affecting pH, you can maintain crystal-clear, balanced water effortlessly. Whether you use baking soda or a commercial alkalinity increaser for swimming pools, regular testing and adjustments are key.
For professional help, trust Anomaly Pool Services to keep your pool chemistry flawless year-round!