What Is Soda Ash for Swimming Pools?

pH Levels

• The normal range for pH in your swimming pool should reside somewhere between 7.0 and 7.6. In order to determine if you need to use soda ash in your water, you must first determine if the pH levels in your water are low. The only time you need to use soda ash is to raise the pH in your pool. Use a water testing kit or pH strips, which are available at pool supply stores, to receive an accurate pH reading of your pool water.

Balance Alkalinity First

• The pH level indicates how acidic or basic water is. Alkalinity, another aspect of pool maintenance, goes hand in hand with the pH measurement. If the alkalinity levels of the pool are low, there is a good chance that the pH is low as well. Alkalinity serves as a buffer to the pH and prevents it from fluctuating. Think of it as a stabilizer to the pH. If the alkalinity is low or high, adjust this level first with either alkalinity up or alkalinity down chemicals, run the filter for eight hours and then retest the water with a testing strip or testing kit. Alkalinity levels should be somewhere between 80 and 120 parts per million as indicated by the testing strips. If the pH is still low despite the alkalinity being balanced, then you need to add soda ash.

Raise pH

• Pool retailers will market soda ash as pH increaser or pH up. All these products are interchangeable and contain the same chemical you need to raise pH levels. Follow the instructions on the container, as dosages will vary. Factors that determine how much sodium carbonate you must add to the water are the size of the pool and exactly how much the pH level needs to be raised.

Consequences

• Low pH can cause burning eyes and nose and dry and itchy skin and scalp for swimmers. Low pH can also cause corrosion of swim accessories, such as floats and your pool ladder, whether it's plastic or metal. Low pH can also deteriorate the pool liner and cause fading. If the pool liner corrodes, it can leak and require replacement.