Raising Pool pH with Borax: How Much to Use and When to Apply
If you own a pool, you know how important it is to maintain the right chemical balance. It is important to keep the pH of your pool water in the right range. If it is too high or too low, you need to find a way to adjust it. Borax can help you with this.
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What is Borax?
In more scientific terms, Borax is known as sodium tetraborate and disodium tetraborate. It is a white, odorless powder that is easily soluble in water, with a pH of 9. Each borax molecule consists of two sodium atoms, four boron atoms, seven oxygen atoms and ten water molecules. As an alkaline substance, it can act as a pH buffer to help adjust the pH of the pool, prevent the water from being too acidic, which can reduce the effectiveness of disinfectants and damage pool equipment, and inhibit the formation of calcium carbonate.
Why Borax is a Cost-Effective Option for Pool Care
Maintaining a sparkling pool doesn't have to drain your wallet. While traditional pool chemicals can be pricey, borax presents a budget-friendly alternative with multiple benefits.
Affordable Maintenance
Cost-Efficient Balancing : Borax effectively maintains the pH level of your pool water. This can reduce the need for other expensive products that often hike up pool care costs.
Versatile Use : It serves not only as a pH buffer but also as an algae preventative, saving you from investing in multiple specialized treatments.
Benefits Beyond Cost
User-Friendly : Easy to apply, borax requires no special equipment or skills, making pool maintenance accessible for everyone.
Availability : As a common household item, borax is readily available in most grocery stores, eliminating the need for trips to specialized pool supply shops.
Incorporating borax into your pool care routine can simplify maintenance and save money, all while ensuring your pool stays clean and inviting.
The All-Know-How of Pool Maintenance: What Does Borax Do and When Do You Need to Add Borax?
pH adjustment and alkalinity control:
pH reflects the acidity and alkalinity of the pool, ranging from 0-14. The ideal range for swimming pools is between 7.2 and 7.8. A pH that is too low can cause corrosion of equipment and irritation to swimmers' eyes and skin; a pH that is too high can promote scale and algae growth. Alkalinity reflects the ability of water to resist changes in pH. When alkalinity is too low, pH will fluctuate rapidly, causing a series of problems. Borax can effectively increase the alkalinity level while helping to stabilize pH, preventing it from fluctuating violently and causing a series of problems.
When it comes to adjusting pool chemistry, several options are available. Borax stands out due to its ability to raise pH levels quickly without significantly increasing total alkalinity. This makes it a preferred choice for those who seek a more balanced approach.
In contrast, soda ash is another common pH increaser, often labeled in stores as "pH Up" or "pH Plus." While effective, soda ash can lead to a higher total alkalinity increase, which might not be desirable if you're trying to maintain a specific balance.
For those looking for even more gradual methods, aeration can be considered. However, it takes more time compared to chemical additions like borax or soda ash.
In summary, choosing the right chemical depends on your specific needs. Borax offers a more controlled adjustment, making it a reliable option for maintaining both pH stability and overall pool health.
Maintaining the effectiveness of disinfectants:
Chlorine helps to kill bacteria and disinfect, keeping pool water clear and transparent, and is the most common active ingredient in pool disinfectants. Borax helps stabilize the chlorine level in the pool, preventing it from decomposing due to factors such as sunlight and heat, reducing its effectiveness, and inhibiting the growth and reproduction of harmful microorganisms such as bacteria.
When to add borax:
As a stable chemical, borax only flows with the flow of pool water and is not affected by factors such as light: it will not be decomposed, used up or expired. Therefore, unless your pool has had a major water change, filter backwash or leak, you don't need to add borax a second time.
How to Use Borax in Pool Water
Although you rarely need to add borax a second time, you should always have a start. When the pH of your pool water is too low, it's time to take action. Luckily, the process of adding borax is quite simple and effective. With a pH test kit, borax and safety gloves, you can follow the steps below to achieve a balanced pool chemistry.
Evaluating Your Pool's pH
First, you need to test the pH and alkalinity of your pool water, as well as how many gallons of water your pool contains. This will help you calculate how much borax you need to add in total.
Calculating Borax Dosage: How Much Borax You Need to Add
You can check how much borax you need to add by looking up a website that can calculate the amount of borax you need for your pool online. Generally speaking, 20 ounces of borax will raise the pH of a 5,000-gallon pool by 0.5.
Pour Borax into Your Pool
Before adding the borax, make sure your filtration system and pool pump are turned on and running properly to ensure that the borax added is evenly mixed in the pool water. Add the required amount of borax to the skimmer a small amount at a time and then let the pump run for 24 hours.
Monitor and Adjust pH
After the 24-hour circulation period, you will need to retest the pH to verify that the chemical balance has returned to the ideal range. If the pH is still low, simply add more borax and repeat the above steps.
Additional Tips
If the pH exceeds the ideal range by less than 0.2, don't worry, it will naturally drop to your desired level within a few weeks.
By following these steps, you can effectively use borax to adjust the pH of your pool and ensure a balanced and healthy swimming environment.
What to Do if You Accidentally Add Too Much Borax to Your Pool
If you've mistakenly added an excess of borax to your pool, there's no need to worry. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you correct the pH imbalance.
Adjust the pH Level
Measure Current pH and Alkalinity:
Begin by testing your pool's pH and total alkalinity (TA) using a reliable pool test kit from brands like Taylor or LaMotte. Knowing these values helps you understand how much adjustment is needed.Use Muriatic Acid to Lower pH:
If the pH is excessively high, add muriatic acid in small increments. This chemical efficiently brings down the pH level. Always follow the manufacturer's guidelines for safe handling and dosing.Retest After Adjustment:
Allow the pool water to circulate for several hours after adding acid, then test the pH and TA levels again. This ensures the changes have taken effect and allows you to make further adjustments if necessary.
Monitor and Maintain Balance
Keep Total Alkalinity in Check:
Since using muriatic acid can also lower total alkalinity, balance it by adding a substance like baking soda if necessary. Always recheck levels to maintain ideal water chemistry.Regular Testing:
To prevent future imbalances, test your pool water regularly. Frequent checks help ensure that any chemical additions are precise and safe.
By carefully following these steps, you can restore your pool's water balance, ensuring a safe and pleasant swimming experience.
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About the author
Nathanael Greene
Nathanael Greene is a seasoned professional with over 15 years of experience in the realm of pool design, construction, and maintenance. His love for swimming pools originated in his childhood, and over the years, this passion has evolved into a deep understanding and expertise within the pool industry. As a blog writer for Beatbot, Nathanael is dedicated to sharing his wealth of experience and insights with a wider audience, aiming to enhance and enrich people's outdoor living experiences.
