So you’ve gone on to see the health risks that maintenance chemicals in excess pose to you, or maybe you’ve always applied chemical solutions to every single issue in your hot tub, and now you’re currently not having enough money and you wonder what natural solutions are there for you.
This blog will be providing all the accurate information on how to treat your low pH level naturally without having to use any chemicals.
Vinegar, a natural solution you can find in your kitchen and a known pH level reducer among hot tub owners and users, is a game changer when it comes to treating your hot tub by natural means.
Here are some common steps to help guide you towards reducing the pH level of your hot tub with vinegar.
Step 1. First step, check the pH level of your hot tub water to get the right measurement of the vinegar you need to add.
Step 2. Add at least four cups of vinegar to your hot tub water. You can either decide to use your white household vinegar or apple cider vinegar.
Step 3. Check to make sure the water pump is running and ensure the water is circulating properly.
Step 4. Leave the hot tub for some hours and allow the solution to work. Go back after a few hours (you might be exhausted), and test the water again. Confirm that the procedure was a success; if it wasn’t, go ahead and test the water again.
What causes a high pH level in a hot tub?
The pH level of your hot tub is a pivot towards the safety of your hot tub; too low and there’s a problem; too high and there’s a bigger problem too, so it rests on balance. Your pH level has to be balanced in order for your water level to be hygienic and safe for you to use.
You don’t want to come home from a long day of duties and get into a hot tub filled with contaminants. As we proceed, you will become familiar with the causes of a high pH level in your hot tub. This will enable you to know the right measures you can personally take to prevent a high pH level in your tub water.
The main reason your pH gets high and stays high is the total alkalinity of your hot tub water. This is why most hot tub experts will advise that you first lower the total alkalinity level of your hot tub before going on to lower the pH, because if your alkalinity level is not balanced, it can not buffer the pH level to be in the ideal range.
Hot tubs are known to generate bubbles and tend to have higher temperatures. This combination then creates a gas called carbon dioxide immediately. The carbon dioxide then builds up and makes the pH level rise. This is why it is necessary for hot tub owners to check the pH levels of their hot tubs from time to time and balance them.
What to do if pH in hot tub is high?
The pH level of a hot tub is critical because of the problems it poses if ignored. Ideally, if the pH level of your hot tub is too high, the next thing to do is to add some chemical solutions geared towards reducing it. An acidic chemical generally has a low pH, which means that it is highly important in bringing down the alkalinity levels.
You might wonder what the word alkalinity is doing in a question about pH. Well, the truth is, if your alkalinity level is high, it can not buffer the pH to the needed range. This is why it is always advised to reduce the alkalinity level first. Alkalinity is a measure of your water’s ability to neutralize acids. It’s very important in balancing pH levels.
To successfully lower your total alkaline and pH levels, you can use an acid such as muriatic acid, sulfuric acid, or sodium bisulfate. They are all capable of lowering pH and alkalinity levels, although at different rates.
Take note: before going on to add any chemical towards reducing your hot tub‘s pH level, first test the water to know the exact amount of acid that will be needed to add to the water.
How can I lower the pH in my hot tub?
Knowing how to treat and maintain your hot tub yourself can save you a lot of money as you can use the money needed to hire the services of an expert for other purposes.
Unfortunately, the processes needed to maintain a hot tub are not something you can quickly learn in a day. It takes a bit of time and perseverance, coupled with the right information. You will be introduced to some of this information in this piece as we proceed.
There are three different solutions you can use to lower your hot tub water: one chemical solution and two natural solutions.
The chemical solutions are muriatic acid and sodium bisulfate (also known as soda ash), while the natural solution is vinegar. You can either use white vinegar or apple cider vinegar.
Now, since there has been an elaborate explanation on how to lower pH level using a natural means with vinegar in the earlier topics, we’ll be focusing on the steps to lower pH level using muriatic acid.
The first step towards lowering your hot tub water is to first test it. The reason is that it is necessary to know the pH level and the amount of acid that is needed to add to the hot tub water. The size of your hot tub will also decide the amount of muriatic acid to be added.
Having known the necessary amount to be added, scoop water from your hot tub and put it into a bucket until it is three-quarters full, then go on to pour the needed amount of muriatic acid into the water in the bucket and allow it to dissolve.
Take note that you must add the acid into the water and not the other way round, because first adding the acid into the bucket can cause damage to it and render the mixing ineffective.
Now, turn on the hot tub, ensure the pump and filters are running, and make sure the hot tub speed is set at its usual temperature and speed before continuing.
Add the diluted chemical into the hot tub. Gently pour it into your tub slowly. Adding all the acid too fast can cause Dave to the bottom and equipment. Also, ensure to add it without it spilling on the sides of the hot tub, as this can also damage the spa.
Then finally, allow the pump to circulate for at least three to six hours after you add the muriatic acid. Test the water again after this time might have elapsed to check progress.
Will baking soda lower the pH in my hot tub?
No, baking soda does not lower the pH level of your hot tub. Instead, what baking soda is capable of doing is raising your hot tub water’s alkalinity level and increasing your pH level.
If you’re looking for a natural means of decreasing the pH in your hot tub, the answer is vinegar. Whether it’s white vinegar or apple cider vinegar, either of them can do the job.
However, it is generally said that muriatic acid or sodium bisulfate (soda ash), which are both non-natural solutions to lowering the pH level in a hot tub, are more effective.
How much acid is needed to lower the pH in a hot tub?
It is necessary to determine your initial measurements of alkalinity because the pH will drop faster than the alkalinity, so it is important that you fix the alkalinity first. Immediately the alkalinity is fixed, the pH then adjusts to it.
Make sure you always follow the instructions before adding the alkalinity or pH chemical to your hot tub water.
Normally, you would need 1.6 lbs ( 725.25 g) of sodium bisulfate or 1.3 qts ( 1.23 L) of muriatic acid for every 10,000 gallons of water to drop the total alkalinity by 10 ppm.
Can I use vinegar to lower the pH in a hot tub?
Your hot tub‘s water balance is very important. If you’d like to enjoy it without developing any problems like rashes on your skin or scaling on the surface of your tub, you have to maintain and treat it appropriately.
Yes, you can use vinegar to lower the pH level of your hot tub. It is very possible. The natural solution that can be found in households is effective in bringing your pH level down in your spa.
To administer vinegar, after testing your hot tub water, measure four cups of vinegar and add them directly into your hot tub water. White household vinegar or apple cider vinegar can either be used to reduce the pH level of your hot tub.
