How to Reduce Alkalinity in Your Swimming Pool

There’s nothing quite like jumping into a sparkling, clean pool on a hot summer day. But if your pool water looks cloudy or feels off, it might not be sunblock or that sandwich you dropped in last week. 

It could be your pool’s alkalinity acting up.

Too much alkalinity in your swimming pool can mess with the water’s balance. And when that happens, you get cloudy water, irritated skin, and a whole lot of “Why does my pool hate me?” vibes. 

Keeping your pool happy means keeping the water balanced. It’s not just about chlorine and floaties. 

Alkalinity plays a big role too.

Lowering alkalinity in a pool isn’t rocket science, but it does take a little know-how. 

And let’s be honest, no one wants to swim in water that smells like a science lab or feels like it came straight out of a swamp.

If you’ve been wondering how to reduce alkalinity in swimming pool water without turning it into a chemistry class disaster, you’re in the right place. 

Let’s make pool care simple, chill, and a little less dramatic, like it should be.

Understanding Pool Alkalinity

Alright, let’s break it down. Pool alkalinity sounds like one of those fancy science terms people throw around to sound smart at backyard BBQs. 

But really, it just means how stable your pool water is. 

That’s it.

Total alkalinity is like the bodyguard for your pool’s pH. It keeps things in check so your pool doesn’t turn into a moody teenager, up one minute, down the next. 

The PHTA’s guidelines on total alkalinity management explain how proper alkalinity keeps pool water balanced and prevents surface damage.

If alkalinity is too low, the pH goes wild. Too high, and it still goes wild. Basically, your pool turns into drama central.

So, what exactly is alkalinity?

It’s a measure of how much stuff is in the water that can neutralize acids. 

Still confused? 

Think of it like this: alkalinity helps stop your pH from throwing tantrums. Without it, you’ll spend more time adjusting pool chemicals than actually swimming.

What are the right levels?

If you’re wondering how to adjust pool pH and alkalinity without a meltdown, here’s your magic number: 80 to 120 parts per million (ppm). 

That’s the sweet spot. 

Not too low, not too high. Like the perfect amount of creamer in your coffee.

Anything higher than that? Well, you’re entering the zone of high alkalinity. This is when your water starts turning cloudy, your skin feels itchy, and your pool’s like, “Hey, are you even paying attention to me?”

For more detailed numbers and targets, check out this comprehensive guide to pool water quality standards.

Why should I care?

Because high alkalinity messes everything up. It makes chlorine less effective. Your pool gets cloudy. 

And worst of all? 

The water gets rough on your skin and eyes. It’s like swimming in soup. Not the good kind.

Plus, the longer you ignore it, the more time and money you’ll spend trying to fix it. Trust me, we’ve seen pools go from oasis to disaster faster than you can say “Who added bubble bath to the deep end?”

We’ve handled this many times at Creative Structures Omaha. 

Some clients come to us thinking their pool is cursed. 

Spoiler alert: it’s not. It’s just high alkalinity.

Quick side note: pH and alkalinity are best friends

You can’t adjust one without messing with the other. It’s like trying to diet while living next to a donut shop. Lower the alkalinity, and pH shifts. Raise the pH, and alkalinity throws a fit. 

The trick is finding balance like convincing your dog not to bark during Zoom calls.

Signs of High Alkalinity in Pools

If your pool could talk, high alkalinity would be its way of screaming for help. But since it can’t (yet), you’ll need to look for the obvious and not-so-obvious signs.

Let’s start with the big one: cloudy water. 

If your pool looks like someone dropped a gallon of milk in it, that’s not normal. That’s a clear red flag. Or well, a cloudy one.

Another clue? 

White crusty buildup on the tiles or ladders. That’s called scaling, and no, it’s not a weird pool disease. It’s just your pool trying to decorate itself with calcium. 

Charming, right?

Then there’s the one everyone hates: chlorine that doesn’t work. You toss in chemicals, but nothing happens. That’s because high alkalinity makes chlorine act like it’s on a break. 

Your sanitizer is slacking off.

And don’t forget how it feels. Skin that itches and eyes that sting? That’s not just the kids splashing too hard. It’s one of the common signs of high alkalinity in pool water.

Oh, and here’s the kicker, pH starts drifting like it’s on vacation. One day it’s fine, the next it’s all over the place. 

You’ll start wondering if your test strips are messing with you.

Sometimes the pool’s so off-balance, it needs more therapy than a bad breakup. But don’t worry, it’s fixable.

Got white buildup around the edge? 

You might also want to read our Essential Guide to Pool Repairs and Renovations. 

Spoiler alert: high alkalinity likes to leave a mess behind.

Causes of Elevated Alkalinity

High alkalinity doesn’t just happen out of the blue. It usually shows up after a few small mistakes or a little too much “help” from your pool chemicals.

One of the biggest causes? 

Alkaline chemicals. 

These are meant to balance your pool, but using too much can do the opposite. It’s like adding salt to fries, great in small amounts, but nobody wants a mouthful of ocean.

Another sneaky culprit is your source water. 

Yep, the water coming straight out of your hose might already have high alkalinity. Some areas just have naturally “hard” water. 

Lucky you.

And let’s not forget the all-time favorite pool hack gone wrong: baking soda. 

Sure, it’s great for cookies, but if you keep tossing it into the pool like you’re on a cooking show, you’re asking for trouble. Overusing alkalinity increasers is one of the most common ways pool owners get into this mess.

People mean well, but sometimes their pool ends up with more powder than a donut shop.

If your pool’s chemistry feels off, chances are one of these causes is behind it. Time to check that chemical stash.

Methods to Lower Alkalinity

Getting your pool’s alkalinity under control doesn’t mean turning into a chemist. You just need the right method and a little patience.

If you’re wondering exactly how to reduce alkalinity in swimming pool water without making a mess, these methods work well when done step by step.

Whether you’re using muriatic acid or sodium bisulfate, both can help bring your water back to balance without turning your pool into a science experiment gone wrong.

Using Muriatic Acid

Using muriatic acid to lower alkalinity is one of the most common methods. It works fast, but it does need care. This is not the time to freestyle it.

Step 1: Turn off the pool pump.
Weird, right? But this keeps the acid from spreading too fast. Let it settle in the deep end like a kid hiding from chores.

Step 2: Pour the acid slowly into the deepest part of the pool.
Don’t just dump it in. Measure it. You can use a pool calculator or call a pro like us. A little too much and you’ll be fixing pH problems instead.

Step 3: Let it sit for about an hour.
No swimming, no pump. Just let the acid hang out and do its thing.

Step 4: Turn the pump back on.
After an hour, circulate the water to mix everything properly. This helps balance out both alkalinity and pH.

And hey, always wear gloves and eye protection. Add acid to water, not the other way around. It’s not just a chemistry rule, it’s a don’t-burn-your-face-off rule.

Also, store your chemicals far away from anything flammable or curious kids. Or pets. Or your nosy cousin visiting from out of town.

The CDC’s pool chemical safety guidelines are a good reminder to always handle and store chemicals with care.

Many pool owners in Omaha ask us about this all the time, especially when their water starts to look murky or they notice scaling on tiles. It’s a simple fix when done right.

Want to know what else murky water means? Check our guide on pool repairs and renovations. Spoiler: cloudy water has feelings too.

Using Sodium Bisulfate

If muriatic acid feels a bit too strong for your taste (or your nose), there’s another gentler option: sodium bisulfate.

It’s less corrosive and doesn’t have that strong smell. But heads up, it’s usually more expensive. 

You’re paying for the convenience and lower risk.

Step 1: Read the label.
Seriously, read it. Different brands have different strengths. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for how much to use.

Step 2: Sprinkle it evenly around the pool.
No need to toss it all in one spot like it’s fairy dust. Spread it out so it works properly.

Step 3: Let your pool circulate.
Give it a few hours. The water needs to move around to mix it well. If your pool pump sounds tired, maybe it’s time to check your pool maintenance service.

Sodium bisulfate is slower than muriatic acid, but safer for beginners or for pools that don’t need a big drop in alkalinity. 

It’s a gentle nudge instead of a slap.

In both methods, the goal is the same: bring that total alkalinity back into the safe zone, between 80 and 120 ppm. 

Do it step by step, and your pool will thank you with clear water, better chlorine performance, and less side-eye from your guests.

We always remind pool owners this: chemicals are tools, not magic. Be patient, measure carefully, and never guess.

Balancing pH and Alkalinity

Now here’s the part most pool owners don’t realize: when you lower alkalinity, your pH also drops. 

It’s like fixing one thing and accidentally making another wobble. 

So once you’ve gone through all that effort lowering alkalinity in pool water with muriatic acid or sodium bisulfate, don’t walk away just yet. 

You’ll need to test your pH right after. Chances are it dropped more than you wanted.

If your pH falls below 7.2, the water gets a little cranky. It might sting eyes, make chlorine go overboard, or even mess with your pool surfaces over time.

According to the CDC’s recommendations for maintaining safe pH levels in pools, keeping pH between 7.2 and 7.8 is important for swimmer comfort and disinfectant efficiency.

Here’s where it gets interesting. 

If your alkalinity is now in the safe range, between 80 and 120 ppm but your pH is still too low, there’s a simple trick to raise it without touching alkalinity: aeration.

Yep, we’re talking about turning on your water features, bubbling jets, or even pointing the return jets toward the surface. 

Air bubbles help raise pH slowly, and the best part? 

It doesn’t mess with your alkalinity.

We’ve helped tons of Omaha homeowners with this step, especially after they tried DIY fixes that left their water a little moody. 

We always say: test, then tweak.

Knowing how to adjust pool pH and alkalinity is the key to a clear, happy pool. Don’t just throw stuff in and hope for the best. A little patience goes a long way and saves you a lot of chlorine.

And if you’re not into bubbling your pool like it’s a soda fountain, don’t worry. We’ve got plenty of no-fuss solutions that’ll keep your water smiling.

Preventing Alkalinity Imbalances

Once you’ve fixed your pool’s alkalinity, the goal is simple, keep it that way. You don’t want to go through the whole acid-aeration-wait-repeat cycle every other week.

The first (and easiest) step? Test your water weekly.
You can use a test kit or those little strips that change color. They’re not fancy, but they do the job.

Keeping tabs on your water helps you catch problems early, before your pool turns into a cloudy soup.

Next, go slow with the chemicals. Add small amounts at a time.

It’s tempting to dump in a bunch of baking soda or acid and walk away. But that usually ends with your water jumping from one extreme to another. 

Think baby steps, not cannonballs.

And don’t forget your fill water, the stuff you use to top off your pool. Some areas, like parts of Omaha, have naturally high mineral content in the tap water. 

According to EPA guidelines, your source water can affect the pool’s balance before you even add a single chemical.

So if your alkalinity is high right from the start, it’s not your fault, it’s just your water. That’s why it helps to know what you’re working with.

We always say: it’s easier to prevent a problem than to fix one. A few minutes a week can save you hours of pool drama.

Want more pool care tips that actually make sense? 

Dive into our pool maintenance blog. We keep it simple because nobody has time for complicated pool math.

Comparison Table: Muriatic Acid vs. Sodium Bisulfate

Not sure which chemical to use to lower alkalinity? 

Here’s a quick side-by-side look at muriatic acid and sodium bisulfate to help you decide what’s right for your pool:

If you’re comfortable handling stronger chemicals and want faster results, muriatic acid might be your pick. 

But if you prefer something easier to handle with fewer fumes, sodium bisulfate is a safer choice, even if it costs a bit more.

For local help choosing the right method in Omaha, feel free to reach out to Creative Structures Omaha. 

We’ve helped dozens of pool owners make the right call without making a mess.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I swim after adding acid to the pool?
   Not right away. You should wait at least 4 to 6 hours after using muriatic acid to lower alkalinity, or any other chemical. Always test the pH and alkalinity before jumping back in. If the water’s not ready, your skin and eyes will tell you first.

    

2. How often should I test my pool’s alkalinity?
   At least once a week. If you’ve had a pool party, a storm, or added a bunch of water, test again. It’s like checking your fridge after grocery day, you never know what changed.

    

3. What happens if alkalinity is too low?
   The water becomes unstable. pH will bounce up and down, your pool surfaces may start to wear out, and swimmers might feel like they took a dip in lemon juice.

    

4. Can I use baking soda to raise alkalinity?
   Yes, but go slow. Add it in small amounts and test afterward. Don’t turn your pool into a bakery.

    

5. Do I need both pH and alkalinity balanced?
   Yes. They work together. Learn how to adjust pool pH and alkalinity to keep your water clean and your chlorine doing its job.

    

6. Why does my chlorine stop working sometimes?
   It’s usually because of high alkalinity or pH that’s out of balance. Water might look fine but still be off. Check your levels before blaming the chlorine.

    

7. Where can I get help with this in Omaha?
   Our team at Creative Structures Omaha helps pool owners all the time. Whether it’s cloudy water or flaky tiles, we’ve probably fixed it.

Conclusion

Keeping your pool’s alkalinity in check isn’t just about clear water. 

It’s about comfort, safety, and saving yourself from weekly water drama.

By testing often, adjusting slowly, and knowing how to reduce alkalinity in swimming pool water the right way, you can avoid cloudy water and itchy skin.

Need a hand in Omaha? 

Creative Structures Omaha is just a click away. We’ll help you keep the good times (and clean water) flowing.