If you want to enjoy soaking in a warm and relaxing bath anytime, you must ensure that your hot tub is in its best condition. That includes having hot tub maintenance and ensuring its ph levels and total alkalinity levels are sufficient.
Keeping the suitable pH and alkalinity levels in a hot tub is one of the most crucial aspects of maintenance. Low pH levels in hot tubs can lead to issues including corrosion of metals, a buildup of bacteria, and can cause burning in the eyes.
But what happens if your PH scale is low? Are you going to say goodbye to a warm and relaxing bath? Thankfully, there is no need to. This article will help you raise hot tub Ph level naturally, so stick until the end.
5 Easy And Effective Ways To Raising Low PH Level
No hot tub owner would want to experience the effects of low PH levels, as stated above. So to get rid of that, or to prepare you in case things get worse, here are the five proven and practical steps you can take at home to raise it naturally.
Step #1. Check The Water First
In chemistry, an acidic pH is lower than 7, and an alkaline pH is over 7. However, it is different for hot tub water. Any pH value lower than 7.2 is regarded as having a low pH or overly acidic. Any pH value greater than 7.8 is considered high or excessively alkaline water. This 7.2�7.8 optimum ph scale is where spa pools function best. So the first thing that you should do is to test the water.
You’ll need test strips, a water test kit, or a smart tester to determine the water level. It is advised to utilize items specifically designed for hot tubs and pools. Check your total alkalinity level while planning to boost or lower pH levels. Both are inextricably linked, and neither can be increased without the other.
Step #2. Put A Baking Soda Or Sodium Bicarbonate
Using chemicals as a ph increaser can leak and cause harm to the storage space or cause severe blisters to your skin when added to water. Fortunately, a simple household item like baking soda can raise pH levels without the risks associated with strong chemicals.
Baking Soda is a popular method used to raise lower PH levels in hot tubs. The rule is to use one tablespoon of every 100 liters of spa water. You’ll need to use a trial-and-error method. You should weigh out the quantity you anticipate using for the hot tub.
If you add it straight into the water, thoroughly blend it to ensure that no particles adhere to the shell’s edges or flooring. After adding it to the tub, you can pre-dissolve the baking soda in a pail of water for faster dispersion. Another method to use is soda ash.
Step #3. Make Sure The Jet Is On And Wait For The Water To Circulate
Turn on the hot tub’s jets while maintaining the air valves covered. The water will start to move. Take a break for 3 hours. Avoid covering your spa tub. Never leave it unattended.
Step #4. Shut Down The Jet And Check The Water
After 3 hours, stop the jets and allow the water to settle. The next thing to do is to test the water using test strips once more to see whether the levels are within the desired range.
Step #5. Re-do The Procedure, Or Empty And Reload The Hot Tub Again
If the levels weren’t too off, you could be finished balancing the level in your hot tub quickly. If it’s not, just repeat the process until you hit the normal range. Another option would be to drain and reload it with fresh and clean water.
What Is A Hot Tub PH Level?
Let’s understand what a PH level in a hot tub is and why it’s essential to have it at an average level.
The pH of water in its purest state is 7. Any value higher than seven is alkaline. Acidic is a level under 7. The ideal water temperature for your spa is between 7.2 and 7.8.
If it’s below this level, it will throw off the chemistry of your water and will eventually have an unfavorable impact on your hot tub. The hot tub water has more acidity than it ought to be once your pH is low. You may find that the water makes your skin itchy and your eyes sting. It is unsafe to swim when your hot tub pH is low.
Additionally, it indicates the presence of bacteria or other pollutants.
What Causes Low PH Levels?
So you might wonder who or what�s the cause of your PH level dropping low.
Bather load is the leading cause of pH levels dropping in hot tubs. More contaminants enter the water due to more people using the tub.
Users can bring bodily oils, shampoo and conditioner residue, sunscreen, hair and skin strands, and even urine into the tub. If the disinfectant in the water isn’t replenished, the hot tub’s pH level may fall because this depletes it.
Pollutants from the outside environment are another factor. The sanitizer can be consumed by rainwater and lawn waste like leaves and dirt. To get rid of it, you can utilize a hot tub cover.
Other elements may be the fluid you used to refill the tub or any chemical you applied. Your pH will be low if the water source is corrosive, to begin with, and acidic substances like bromine and chlorine can also lower the pH.
What Happens When You Have A Low Ph Level?
Well, you may expect the worst. Since having a low level indicates that your hot tub is not in its proper condition, there is a huge chance for you to experience undesirable effects.
Irritation
It can be harsh on the human skin. It will hurt the nasal passages and lungs, cause itching skin, and sting the eyes. Swimwear fabric may fade as a result of this rough water.
Damage To The Hot Tub
It will continue to damage your tub and the machinery that keeps it running. As the water circulates continuously, it will penetrate the pump, the filter, and the pipes, inflicting damage along the way. These can be expensive to fix and must sometimes need to be entirely replaced.
Growth Of Bacteria
You’ll get an overwhelming algae growth with a� warm water temperature. Because bacteria can enter the hot tub system, getting rid of this green water issue can be a headache. Your only option is to drain the tub, scrub it properly, and wash the plumbing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about how to raise the ph level of your hot tub water.
How Frequently Should I Check My Hot Tub’s pH And Alkalinity Level?
It’s advisable to check both levels in your hot tub once or twice per week.
How Are Alkalinity And pH Connected?
Simply expressed, pH values indicate how much acid protons are in the water. The hot tub’s alkalinity levels are an indicator of its acid-neutralizing or acid-buffering properties. As a result, alkalinity levels influence how well water maintains its pH levels.
What Happens If The pH Level Or Alkalinity Level Is Too High Or Excessively Low?
High alkalinity levels in your hot tub water can lead to murky water, lower chlorine effectiveness, trouble stabilizing pH levels, and continual pH rise even when a pH reducer is used. Rapid pH level changes, stinging eyes, dry skin, and hot tub metal component corrosion are all related to low alkalinity levels.
Why Is The pH level In My Hot Tub Constantly Too High Or Too Low?
The effectiveness of the disinfectant or chlorine in your hot tub water will be reduced if the pH levels are excessively high. On the water surface of the hot tub, calcium deposits can start to appear. Furthermore, the water may begin to look drab or hazy and smell strongly of chlorine. Additionally, algae growth is prevalent. On the contrary, low pH levels in your hot tub may result in troubles with dryness and burning eyes, erosion of sealant and plaster, rusting of metal components, and other problems.
Conclusion
As hot tub owners, hot tub maintenance is not a drastic job compared to the expenses and effort it will cause you once the damage is done. Most chemistry issues in the hot tub and the negative impacts that water imbalance can have on your hot tub and your well-being can be avoided by maintaining a hot tub clean.
Follow the steps mentioned above if you encounter a low Ph level in your hot tub and get a warm and relaxing bath!
