How to Lower Pool Chemical Conditions
- 1). Test your pool water with a pool test kit that reports free chlorine, combined chlorine, pH and alkalinity. You can purchase one from your local pool supply store or you can take a few cups of your pool water to the store to be tested. The free chlorine level should be between one and three parts per million (PPM), while combined chlorine should be kept below .2 PPM. The pH level of pool water should fall between 7.2 and 7.6. Alkalinity should range between 80 and 120 PPM for gunite and concrete pools while vinyl, painted and fiberglass pools should have an alkalinity range of 125 to 170 PPM.
- 2). Remove all of the pool chlorinators from the water and filter your pool frequently to help chlorine levels to dissipate when they are too high. Time and filtration are required to lower chlorine conditions. Test the chlorine level a couple of times a day until it returns to a safe level. You can place the chlorinators back into the pool at that point.
- 3). Add pH decreaser to your pool when the pH level is too high. Purchase the decreaser from your local pool supply store. The cap of the decreaser container acts as a measuring cup. Follow the directions on the container to determine how much decreaser to add to your pool. Sprinkle the decreaser evenly over the deep end of the pool. The amount is determined by the size of your pool and the pH reading.
- 4). Purchase muriatic acid from the pool supply store and add it to your pool by dumping it directly into pool skimmers. The cap doubles as a measuring cup. Add only a couple of ounces at a time while the filter is running. Retest the alkalinity in two hours. Repeat this process until the alkalinity level is normal for your pool type. The muriatic acid directions contain a chart to help you know how much acid to add based on your pool size and the acid levels. Never add muriatic acid to your pool with in a few hours of adding liquid chlorine.
- 5). Complete a partial water change if adding chemicals to the pool does not lower the pool chemical conditions. When too many chemicals are in the pool, the water becomes saturated and will not take in any of the chemicals necessary to alter pH and alkalinity. Rent a submersible pump with a rubber bottom from your local home improvement store. Attach the hose that comes with it to the water export valve on the pump. Lower the pump into the pool until it rests at the bottom. Place the other end of the hose out into your yard. Plug the pump in to turn it on. Turn the pump off when 50 percent of the water has been pumped out.
- 6). Fill the pool until the water level is at least to the half way point of the skimmers. Test the water again and follow the first few steps to balance the water.
Source...