Some chemicals can be very dangerous to be left in an environment where there are children. Some pool maintenance chemicals are so highly corrosive that they should never be mixed or added to your pool at the same time. Chemicals like muriatic acid and chlorine should never be added together immediately, or else you’ll be producing a very deadly gas called hydrochloric acid.
At least thirty minutes after adding muriatic acid to your pool, it is important to wait at least thirty minutes before adding chlorine. Most pool experts will advise you not to mix any pool chemicals together at all.
Also, after adding muriatic acid to your pool, it is not safe to begin using the pool immediately. You have to at least wait for thirty minutes before allowing swimming. To avoid entering a highly concentrated area, it is okay to wait.
Lastly, ensure you don’t just pour your muriatic acid straight into the pool. First dilute it in a bucket of water before going ahead and adding it to the swimming pool. Make sure your water pump is on and functioning very well after applying muriatic acid. This will help the acid circulate very well in the water.
Is muriatic acid safe for swimming pools?
Yes, muriatic acid is safe to use in your pool, but it is generally advised to not add it directly into your pool without diluting it as it might bleach your swimming pool floor if it settles in a particular area.
However, how safe muriatic acid is depends largely on how you add it to your pool. The amount of muriatic acid you add to the pool will determine if it can cause problems or not. A high dose of muriatic acid can cause structural problems to your swimming pool structure.
In order to know the actual dosage to use, make sure you test your alkalinity and pH level in your pool first. You can use liquid tests or test strips. If the test strip affirms your pH levels are above 7.8 and you have an average sized pool, consisting of at least 15,000 gallons, you’ll need at least a quart of muriatic acid to reduce your levels to the needed range. You’ll normally find instructions on dosage by the manufacturer on the muriatic acid bottle that direct you on the processes to follow towards using it in treating your swimming pool.
How do I lower the pH in my pool with muriatic acid?
More pool owners are getting familiar with the necessary methods and ways to treat and maintain their pools instead of hiring water experts and chemists. This is because it is less costly to do it themselves. If you’re one of these pool owners, and you’ve come here to look for answers, especially on how to lower your swimming pool‘s pH with muriatic acid, then you’re at the right place. Kindly keep up as we’ll be providing details on what muriatic acid does and how you can use it to lower your pH level.
Do realize that muriatic acid, as the name implies, is an acid. It is hydrochloric acid but with a lower concentration. Still, it is an acid and, if exposed to your skin, can cause severe burns or damage. So it is necessary that you be careful when handling it. It is advised that you wear gloves, eyeglasses, and a cloth that covers you properly.
Now, muriatic acid is used to lower the pH and alkalinity levels in your pool. It is also effective in cleaning chlorine filters or D.E grids and removing stains on your pool surface.
These are common steps to take towards adding muriatic acid to your swimming pool.
Step 1. Test your pool: first get the accurate amount of pH and alkalinity levels in your pool before going ahead and adding any treatment to it. Use a test strip to run a test on and determine actual levels.
Step 2. Determine the dosage of muriatic acid to be used: To begin this process, you’ll first have to know the amount of water that your swimming pool holds. The next step is to check the label of the muriatic acid and follow its instructions to know the actual dosage to use. The goal is to bring your pH level down to the optimal range. 20 ounces of muriatic acid will likely bring down or lower the alkalinity in a pool of 10,000 gallons by 10 parts per million.
Step 3. Turn on your pump: Before you go ahead and add the necessary amount of acid to the pool, first turn on your pump and ensure it is running properly. This will help in circulating the acid and dispersing it to different areas of the pool.
Step 4. Put the muriatic acid into the pool: get a bucket and use it to scoop an average amount of water from your pool, then pour the acid inside and dilute it. Generally, diluting the acid makes it easier for you to handle.
Step 5. Allow the muriatic acid to circulate: leave your pump on for at least 30 minutes and allow the acid to circulate. This helps the acid get to work faster and prevents it from damaging your pool surfaces as it doesn’t settle.
How long after shocking a pool should you add acid?
Muriatic acid If shocked, the shock into the swimming pool water can literally burn or irritate your skin. The general rule of thumb is to allow the pool for 30 minutes after shocking, before going on to add muriatic acid.
Also, take note that it is not safe to use your pool immediately after administering muriatic acid; it can cause serious burns if used. It is advised that you allow it to rest for at least 30 minutes before using the pool.
Should I add chlorine or acid first?
Questions like this are very important to ask before going on to apply treatment chemicals to your swimming pool, as they can be very harmful.
It is okay to add acid before chlorine if the alkalinity level of the pool is very high. This is because, if the alkalinity level is high, your chlorine is likely to be rendered useless since high alkalinity neutralizes any chemical that is added to the swimming pool.
So it is important to first add muriatic acid and lower the high alkalinity level before going on to shock the pool to properly sanitize it.
What happens if you mix muriatic acid with chlorine?
As stated earlier, swimming pool chemicals can be very corrosive and can pose a strong danger if they come into contact with your skin, eyes, or inhalation. Chlorine and muriatic acid, if mixed, can even be more dangerous in your pool as it can cause massive burns or skin irritations.
In some serious cases, it causes blindness. This is why you need to be very careful when handling these chemicals and wear proper personal protective equipment before embarking on the process.
Also, avoid carelessly keeping pool maintenance chemicals in your environment if you have children or there are children around the area. They can cause serious damage, especially when they are not diluted.
How long does it take for muriatic acid to lower pH?
One thing muriatic acid literally does is lower the alkalinity, and then the pH adjusts to it. Since alkalinity serves as a buffer to pH, the pH gets high or low based on the level of alkalinity. So when alkalinity is reduced, the pH level adjusts and follows suit.
If you add muriatic acid to lower the alkalinity of your pool, it will take about 24 hours for the acid to react with the water.
Take note: Never pour acid directly into your pool, as this will likely cause damage to the surface of your pool. What you should do is get a bucket, scoop an average amount of water from your pool with the bucket, then dilute the acid in it, and then pour it into your pool.
Diluting reduces the risk of you damaging your eyes, skin, lungs, and even your pool surface. Ensure you wear proper PPE before beginning the process.
How often should I add muriatic acid to my pool?
It is highly recommended that you add muriatic acid to your swimming pool on a weekly basis. Adding a minimum amount every week can save you extra money in the long run. No matter the amount of muriatic acid you’ll be adding to your pool, ensure you dilute it first before adding it to your swimming pool. Do not add it directly to your swimming pool as it can still cause damage to your pool’s surface and you.
However, take note that you must continue to accurately test your pool water levels consistently to properly balance it. Testing your overall water chemistry helps you know the needed amount of chemicals to add, the chemicals to add, and when to stop adding a certain chemical entirely. Also, follow the muriatic acid manufacturer’s instructions on the label to successfully administer it in your pool.
