What is pH and How to Raise It in Hot Tub Water

Maintaining proper water chemistry is essential for a safe, clean, and enjoyable hot tub experience. One of the most important factors in water balance is pH. The pH level in your hot tub affects everything from water clarity to the effectiveness of your sanitizer. If the pH is too low, it can cause problems, but luckily, adjusting it is simple. In this blog post, we’ll explain what pH is, why it matters for your hot tub, and how to raise it if it falls below the ideal range.

What is pH?

pH is a measure of how acidic or alkaline (basic) a substance is. It’s measured on a scale of 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral. Numbers lower than 7 are considered acidic, and numbers above 7 are alkaline. In the context of your hot tub, pH indicates the acidity or alkalinity of the water.

• Acidic pH (below 7) can corrode equipment, irritate your skin, and reduce the effectiveness of sanitizers.
• Alkaline pH (above 7) can cause scale buildup, cloudy water, and reduce sanitizer effectiveness.

For hot tubs, the ideal pH range is 7.2 to 7.8. This range ensures that your water is neither too acidic nor too alkaline, which helps maintain comfortable and safe water conditions.

Why pH Matters in Your Hot Tub

Maintaining the correct pH level in your hot tub is critical for several reasons:

1. Sanitizer Efficiency: Chlorine or bromine works best in a balanced pH environment. When the pH is too low (acidic), sanitizers can break down quickly, making it harder to keep the water clean. When it’s too high (alkaline), sanitizers become less effective, which can lead to bacterial growth.
2. Equipment Protection: Low pH can cause corrosion, leading to the deterioration of hot tub surfaces, heaters, and plumbing. High pH can cause scale buildup, which can damage the heating elements and jets.
3. Skin Comfort: Water that is too acidic or too alkaline can irritate your skin and eyes, making your hot tub experience uncomfortable. A balanced pH helps keep your skin soft and the water soothing.
4. Water Clarity: Unbalanced pH levels can contribute to cloudy or murky water, making it unpleasant and harder to enjoy your hot tub.

How to Test the pH Level

Before you can adjust the pH, you need to know where it stands. Testing the pH of your hot tub water is easy, and you can do it using either test strips or a liquid test kit. Here’s how:

1. Test Strips: Dip a test strip into the water and hold it for a few seconds. Then compare the color change to the chart on the packaging to determine the pH level.
2. Liquid Test Kits: Fill the provided vial with water from your hot tub, then add the chemicals from the test kit according to the instructions. The color change will indicate the pH level.

Test your hot tub water at least once a week, or more often if you use the tub regularly or notice any changes in water quality.

How to Raise the pH in Hot Tub Water

If your pH level is too low (below 7.2), it’s time to raise it. Here’s how you can safely increase the pH in your hot tub:

1. Use pH Increaser (Sodium Carbonate)

The most common way to raise the pH in hot tub water is by using a pH increaser, which is typically made from sodium carbonate (also known as soda ash). It’s easy to use and designed specifically for hot tubs.

Steps:

1. Test the Water: First, test the pH level to confirm that it’s below 7.2.
2. Add pH Increaser: Refer to the instructions on the pH increaser package for the appropriate dosage based on your hot tub size and current pH level.
3. Distribute Evenly: Add the pH increaser to the water by sprinkling it evenly across the surface. Turn on the jets to help it dissolve and circulate throughout the water.
4. Retest the Water: Wait at least 30 minutes and then retest the pH level. If it’s still too low, you can add more pH increaser as needed.

2. Add Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate)

In some cases, you can also use baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) to raise the pH slightly, though it also raises alkalinity. This method works well if your alkalinity is low in addition to the pH.

Steps:

1. Test the Water: Check the pH and alkalinity levels.
2. Add Baking Soda: Add 1 teaspoon of baking soda for every 100 gallons of water to increase the pH. If you also need to raise the alkalinity, baking soda will help with that as well.
3. Turn on the Jets: Allow the jets to circulate the water for better mixing.
4. Retest: After 30 minutes, retest the pH. If needed, repeat the process in small amounts.

3. Adjust the pH Gradually

If your pH is significantly low, raise it gradually. Adding too much pH increaser at once can overshoot the ideal range, resulting in a pH level that’s too high. By adding small amounts of increaser at a time and testing frequently, you can avoid this.

When to Add pH Increaser

You should add pH increaser when:

• The pH is consistently below 7.2.
• You’ve noticed skin irritation or discomfort while soaking.
• The water looks cloudy or you notice sanitizer issues.
• You’ve recently drained and refilled the hot tub, as new water may often have a low pH.

Other Tips for pH Balance

• Regular Water Testing: Make water testing a weekly habit to catch any imbalances early.
• Maintain Alkalinity: pH and alkalinity are closely related. Ensure your alkalinity is between 80 and 120 ppm to help maintain a stable pH level.
• Avoid Overuse of pH Increaser: If you add too much pH increaser, it can overshoot the ideal range. Always add small amounts and retest before adding more.

Conclusion

pH is a crucial element of hot tub water chemistry. Keeping your pH within the recommended range of 7.2 to 7.8 will help protect your equipment, enhance sanitizer efficiency, and ensure a more comfortable soaking experience. If your pH is too low, you can raise it safely using pH increasers like sodium carbonate or baking soda. Regular water testing and small adjustments will keep your hot tub water clean, clear, and balanced for maximum enjoyment.

Have questions about the pH of your hot tub water? Visit us in-store for a free professional water test!