Can low pH cause cloudy pool water?

Asked by: Christine Jackson

If the pH is too low, less than 7.0, the water is too acidic. Having a low pH can cause damage to the lining of the pool, causing it to wear away. Debris and particles from the corroding lining can cloud the pool’s water.

Can low pH cause cloudy water?

The pH of a pool should be between 7.2 and 7.8, with 7.6 being the ideal balance. Levels below 7.0 indicate acidic water. Levels above 7.8 mean that the water is too alkaline or basic. Both instances can lead to a cloudy pool.

How do I clear up cloudy pool water?

7 Ways to Clear Cloudy Pool Water

1. Balance free chlorine (FC) levels.
2. Eliminate ammonia.
3. Get rid of young algae.
4. Monitor and balance pH and TA levels.
5. Correct calcium hardness (CH) levels.
6. Backwash filter or replace filtering agent.
7. Remove foreign particles and mineral deposits, scrub, and vacuum up the pool.

What happens if the pH in a pool is too low?

Low pH water will cause etching and deterioration of plaster, grout, stone, concrete and tiling. Any vinyl surfaces will also become brittle, which increases risk of cracks and tears. All of these dissolved minerals will hold in the solution of your pool water; which can result in staining and cloudy pool water.

Does adding pH make pool cloudy?

Rapid pH Change



It drastically raises the pH in the water around it, which leads to clouding. This explains why the cloudiness does not happen all at once, rather the process creates a cloudy plume that slowly expands across the pool. This cloudiness is just calcium carbonate precipitating out of solution.

How long should it take to clear a cloudy pool?

2-3 days

How long does it take for a cloudy pool to clear? Depending on how cloudy your water is, it may take 2-3 days for your water to clear. If you’re using a clarifier, you’ll need to run your filter 24/7, keep your water chemistry balanced, and add the proper amount of water clarifier every other day until it’s clear.

How do I raise the pH level in my pool?

To raise the pH levels in your pool, try adding sodium carbonate (soda ash) or sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) until your pool’s pH levels are between 7.2 and 7.8.

Why has my pool water gone cloudy?

There are three main causes for cloudy pool water: poor filtration, chemical imbalances, or environmental factors like nearby construction, trees, or wildlife. Filter and pump problems can be caused by a range of issues. If the system is run for just a few hours each day, it may not be able to clean the entire pool.

Is it OK to swim in a cloudy pool?

For the most part, yes. It can be unattractive and it should be addressed, but it is mostly safe to swim in cloudy water. The only exception would be if the pool is cloudy because there are too many chemicals in it. This pool water would be unsafe to swim in and should be avoided.

How do I make my pool water crystal clear?

In theory, if you have a cloudy swimming pool, you can add chlorine to “shock it” and clear things up. Chlorine will get the job done. But, the amounts may vary and you may have to really pound the pool with chlorine to get the water totally clear.

How do you clear up a cloudy pool in 24 hours?

And ran the pump on recirculate for two hours and then shut it off over the night and this is the results. It's. So much clearer than it used to be now I just have to vacuum it all up.

How does pH affect pool water?

If the pH gets higher than 7.8, the water is becoming too alkaline. When water is too alkaline, it reduces the effectiveness of the chlorine — the pool chemical that kills pathogens. Water with a pH that’s too high also can cause skin rashes, cloudy water and scaling on pool equipment.

Can too much chlorine make pool cloudy?

Excessive levels of pool chemicals can cause your water to become cloudy. High pH, high alkalinity, high chlorine or other sanitisers, and high calcium hardness are all common culprits.

Does shock clear cloudy water?

Poor water chemistry causes most cases of cloudy pool water. Test your water to make sure it’s properly balanced. Chlorine issues often cause hazy-looking water. Adding a recommended dose of pool shock to your pool can clear it right up.

Does chlorine increase pH?

Using liquid chlorine raises the pH of the water.



When added to water, liquid chlorine (which has a pH of 13) makes HOCl (hypochlorous acid – the killing form of chlorine) and NaOH (sodium hydroxide), which raises pH.

Does shock affect pH?

Pool shock.



Shocking your pool is important, but if you’re using cal-hypo (calcium hypochlorite), it can raise your pool’s pH levels. Don’t stop shocking your pool, but do test all your chemistry levels consistently, especially after shocking.

Will adding chlorine lower pH?

High chlorine levels decrease the pH of your pool’s water, making it more acidic. The more acidic the water, the higher the likelihood of corrosion. This corrosion can affect metal piping, equipment, and the surface of your pool (tiles, liners, concrete, etc.).

Does low alkalinity affect chlorine?

Effects of Low Alkalinity in Pool



Metal surfaces are likely to discolour and eventually dissolve over time. Along with the damage to your pool surfaces, low alkalinity will also interfere with the sanitizing activity of chlorine.

How do I raise the pH in my pool naturally?

For balanced pool water, keep the pH between pH of 7.4-7.6.



And there are two different chemicals you can use to raise the pH in your pool: Baking Soda aka sodium bicarbonate (sold as Alkalinity Increaser in pool stores). Soda Ash aka sodium carbonate (sold as pH Increaser in pool stores).

What should be adjusted first alkalinity or pH?

Alkalinity is the total alkaline material in your pool water. You should test alkalinity first because it will buffer pH. Your reading should be in the range of 80 to 120 parts per million (ppm).

Is alkalinity the same as pH?

In simple terms, pH is the concentration of acid protons [H+]. On the other hand, the alkalinity of a solution is its ability to neutralize acids. Alkalinity consists of ions that incorporate acid protons into their molecules so that they are not available as a free acid that can lower the pH.

What is more important pH or alkalinity?

The Relationship Between pH and Total Alkalinity. Maintaining both pH and total alkalinity in your swimming pool is important for keeping your pool properly sanitized and non-corrosive. Total alkalinity is to pH what cyanuric acid is to free chlorine. Total alkalinity stabilizes pH levels.

Can you have high alkalinity and low pH?

If your pH is high and alkalinity is low in the same water, you may need to add pH reducer/minus and then alkalinity increaser to your pool to lower pH and increase alkalinity respectively. In very rare cases, your total alkalinity may be high but with a low pH in the same pool.