Can high pH levels hurt a hot tub?
That sounds true, especially at the initial stages when the pH is not too low, but it is not safe to get in a hot tub with high pH. It poses a significant risk to your health and that of the hot tub. Hot tub water with a high pH level can cause itchy skin and burn the eyes.
How to lower pH in a hot tub?
- First, test the water with test strips or kits to know the pH level.
- Add about 4 cups of the white vinegar solution at the middle of the hot tub to enable proper circulation.
- Turn on your hot tub pump and filter immediately. ...
- Allow it to circulate for about 2-3 hours to ensure consistency.
Why does pH decrease in hot tub?
Why Your Tub Has Low pH. Water chemistry is a delicate balance at the best of times, and there’s various reasons as to why the pH level has taken a nosedive. The most common reason a hot tub’s pH level falls is due to bather load. The amount of people the tub sees translates to more pollutants entering the water.
How high to fill a hot tub?
So how do you identify the correct fill level? You should fill a hot tub to a maximum height of 2 to 3 inches (5 – 7.5cm) above the top of the filter. The water must cover all the jets but be below the headrests to prevent the material from rotting.
How to test the pH of a hot tub?
Test the hot tub's pH level with a water test kit 12 inches below the water's surface. Liquid test tests use droplets that change the color of the water sample. Test strips automatically change color when wet. Compare the color of the water sample or the test strip to the test kit's pH chart and find the water's pH level.
What happens if the pH of water does not change?
Tip. If the water's pH level will not change with soda ash, the water likely has a high total alkalinity level. If the water will not hold a steady pH level, the water likely has a low total alkalinity level. A low pH level can damage a hot tub's metal parts.
How do liquid test strips work?
Liquid test tests use droplets that change the color of the water sample. Test strips automatically change color when wet. Compare the color of the water sample or the test strip to the test kit's pH chart and find the water's pH level.
Where is the hot tub tag located?
Look on the hot tub's identification tag, usually located near the pump motor, to find the amount of water the hot tub holds.
Does low pH affect hot tub water?
Low pH also causes skin irritation. Hot tub water with low pH has a high acidic level. Before raising the pH level, test and adjust the water's total alkalinity -- total alkalinity controls and holds the water's pH level. Advertisement.
Where is Robert Sylvus?
Based out of Central Florida, Robert Sylvus has been writing how-to and outdoor sports articles for various online publications since 2008. Sylvus has been a home improvement contractor since 1992. He is a certified HVAC universal technician.
Can low pH damage hot tubs?
A low pH level can damage a hot tub's metal parts.
How to lower pH?
When you need to lower the pH, there are products for that as well - pH decreaser chemicals. You can also use another common household item typically found in the pantry -- white vinegar. Add a small amount and check your pH levels after a while. Whether you choose to use household products to adjust your pH levels or chemicals sold specifically ...
Why do you need to test pH in a hut tub?
You want to be sure to test because even though the water in the hut tub may appear clean and clear, it may still have issues. When you have tested your pH and know you need to adjust the levels, you need to be sure to adjust them properly.
How does sanitizer affect water pH?
Various things can affect your water's pH - adding new water can throw this number off by quite a bit. Your sanitizer can change the pH and , of course , the people who get in and out of the tub. To raise the pH, you can use products sold to do just that - pH up chemicals.
What happens if water is too acidic?
If your water falls below this level, it is acidic and can become corrosive. If it rises above, other problems such as scale and cloudiness may occur. Be sure to test your water's pH regularly. This will vary depending on use, but weekly is a good start.
What is the pH range of a pH scale?
Are you struggling with keeping your pH in the proper range? The range for pH is from 0 to 14, same as you learned when you were going through puberty in science class. The middle of that range, 7, is considered neutral.
What Is Hot Tub Water pH?
pH is the measure of the acidity of a solution that runs from 1, which is very acidic to 14 which is very basic. Hot tub water should register between 7.4 and 7.6 on the pH scale, or slightly basic.
How to test pH in hot tub?
To begin with, run your hot tub water pump for at least 10 minutes before turning it off again. Take samples of water by placing your thumb over the opening of the sample container, turning it upside down and submerging it to elbow depth, removing your thumb, turning over the sample container and lifting it out of the water. You can dip water testing strips into the sample or add reagents to the container and compare the resulting colours with the chart provided by the test kit.
Why is my sanitizer falling in my hot tub?
If the pH of your hot tub water is low, or acidic, you may find that your sanitizer levels are constantly falling. Sanitizers have a tendency to break down in acidic water and you’ll keep having to add more for them to effectively eliminate bacteria and other germs.
How to increase alkalinity in water pump?
If your total alkalinity levels aren’t between 125 and 150 ppm, you’ll need to add either total alkalinity increaser or decreaser to get the proper level. Turn on your water pump again, add the increaser or decreaser and allow the water to chur n for an hour before testing it again. Continue to add increaser or decreaser as necessary.
What is the difference between total alkalinity and pH?
Total Alkalinity And pH. Total alkalinity has a significant effect on pH levels , so it’s important to ensure your total alkalinity is in the correct range before trying to adjust the pH. Total alkalinity is a measure of the buffering capacity of the water or the ability of the water to neutralize the acid.
What to do if your pH is below 7.4?
If your pH level is below 7.4, you’ll need to increase it. This is done in a way that’s similar to adjusting total alkalinity but using soda ash instead. With the water pump running, pour the recommended amount of soda ash over the deepest part of the hot tub.
Why does water burn my eyes?
Water with a low pH can also irritate the skin of the bathers and cause a burning sensation in the eyes and nose. Low pH can also affect the hot tub components by encouraging corrosion of any metal parts.
Is baking soda the best way to raise the pH in my hot tub?
No is the short answer. Soda ash or magnesium oxide powder, which I get into below, is a better option.
How much baking soda does it take to raise pH in a hot tub?
It would take 1.25 pounds of baking soda to adjust a hot tub’s pH reading of 7.2 to a reading of 7.6 in a 600-gallon hot tub. So the amount needed will vary based on the volume of water and the current reading of the pH.
How do I raise the pH in my hot tub without raising alkalinity?
Magnesium oxide powder is the best way to significantly raise the pH in a hot tub while only having a minimum impact on alkalinity. Additionally, running the jets and water features will also raise pH and have no impact on alkalinity.
Did I cover all you wanted to know about using baking soda to raise the pH in your hot tub?
Baking soda is a home item that can be used to affect both the pH and alkalinity of your hot tub’s water.
Is soda ash better than baking soda to raise pH?
Simply put, soda ash is much better at raising your hot tub’s pH level than baking soda.
What to use for a hot tub with low pH?
If your hot tub has low total alkalinity and good pH, use baking soda. But if you have low pH and good total alkalinity, use soda ash or magnesium oxide powder.
Why is my hot tub water cloudy?
Low or high pH in your hot tub can lead to an increased chance to be exposed to harmful bacteria that can cause hot tub folliculitis or legionnaires disease. Your hot tub’s water can also become cloudy, scale can grow, and your eyes and skin can become irritated, itchy, and red.
What is the difference between baking soda and soda ash?
The main difference when using soda ash is that it dramatically raises both the TA and pH level of the water, whereas baking soda is a bit more conservative. This can cause an issue if your pH doesn’t need much altering to begin with.
What is the best way to increase alkalinity in a hot tub?
Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is an extremely common way to raise alkalinity in a hot tub. In fact, it’s so common that products such as Alkalinity Increaser or Alkalinity Up are basically baking soda in a fancy bottle.
How to raise alkalinity in a tub?
Start by testing your water ’s alkalinity level. You can do this using test strips, a liquid testing kit, or a digital tester. Once you have this level, calculate how much you need to raise the alkalinity to at least 80 ppm. Measure out the dosage of baking soda your tub requires.
What is the alkalinity of a hot tub?
Hot tub alkalinity must measure above 80 ppm. If it doesn’t, the following issues will start to take hold of the tub:
Why is my hot tub water out of balance?
If you don’t use a hot tub cover, you may find your water out of balance after a downpour. Chlorine could also be the culprit. Using chlorine tablets in the tub can bring down the alkalinity, as these tablets have a low pH level.
What happens when alkalinity is low?
Damage to the tub. Depending on the tub’s material, staining, etching, delamination, and cracking are all possible outcomes when low alkalinity is present. A vinyl cover can also be damaged, becoming stiff and brittle over time.
Why does pH fluctuate?
pH will fluctuate. With not enough alkalinity in the water, this will cause the pH level to fluctuate wildly. One minute you may have an acidic tub, the next, an alkaline one. This is also referred to as pH bounce, and it happens when there isn’t enough pH buffer present in the water. Irritation to bathers.
