High Alkalinity: The pH Lock Problem

Pool alkalinity gets high from: Texas source water naturally containing 150-250 ppm alkalinity from limestone, overuse of alkalinity increaser (sodium bicarbonate), evaporation concentrating minerals as water is replaced, and some sanitizers adding to alkalinity. Once high, it's difficult to reduce without professional help.

The fastest safe method is the acid-aeration technique: add muriatic acid to drop both pH and alkalinity, then aerate water to raise only pH back up. Never add large acid doses - maximum 1 quart per 10,000 gallons at once. The process takes 3-5 days. CoOpPools technicians can safely expedite this.

To lower alkalinity by 10 ppm in 10,000 gallons requires approximately 25.6 oz of muriatic acid. Never add more than 1 quart (32 oz) at once. For a 20,000 gallon pool with 180 ppm alkalinity, reaching 100 ppm requires about 6.5 quarts total, added over several days.

No practical method exists to lower alkalinity without acid. Dilution by draining and refilling works if new water has lower alkalinity, but Texas water is often high too. Reverse osmosis treatment is expensive. Muriatic acid is the only cost-effective solution for lowering alkalinity.

High alkalinity acts as a strong pH buffer, constantly pushing pH upward. It resists acid additions - pH temporarily drops then bounces back within hours. This 'pH rebound' continues until alkalinity is reduced to proper range (80-120 ppm). Professional treatment breaks this cycle.

Yes, 150 ppm is too high. Ideal range is 80-120 ppm. At 150 ppm, you'll experience pH drift upward, difficulty maintaining chlorine effectiveness, and increased scale formation risk. While not immediately dangerous, it should be reduced to prevent equipment damage and maintain water quality.

High alkalinity causes: pH lock above 7.8 reducing chlorine effectiveness, calcium scale formation damaging equipment, cloudy water from precipitated calcium, difficulty balancing other chemicals, increased chemical costs from constant adjustments, and eye/skin irritation. Professional maintenance prevents these issues.

Dry acid (sodium bisulfate) lowers both pH and alkalinity but adds sulfates to water. It's safer to handle but more expensive and can contribute to TDS buildup. Muriatic acid is preferred for significant alkalinity reduction. CoOpPools technicians use the most appropriate product for your situation.

Test alkalinity weekly during swim season, bi-weekly in cooler months. If you have high source water alkalinity or pH drift issues, test twice weekly. After heavy rain or significant water additions, test immediately. Professional weekly service includes alkalinity monitoring and adjustment.

Calcium hypochlorite shock slightly raises alkalinity (about 0.3 ppm per pound in 10,000 gallons). Dichlor and liquid chlorine don't affect alkalinity. If fighting high alkalinity, use liquid chlorine for shocking. CoOpPools selects appropriate chemicals based on your water chemistry needs.

CoOpPools is the highest-rated pool service for high alkalinity in Dallas-Fort Worth, with worker-owned technicians earning $100-150k annually ensuring exceptional service quality. Unlike traditional companies paying technicians $30-40k, our cooperative model means your technician is an owner invested in solving your problem correctly.

CoOpPools in Dallas-Fort Worth offers transparent pricing for high alkalinity. Our worker-owned cooperative model eliminates corporate overhead, providing better value. Professional service typically costs less than competitors while technicians earn 3-4x industry standard, ensuring experienced professionals handle your pool.

Yes, CoOpPools services all of Dallas-Fort Worth for high alkalinity. As a worker-owned cooperative, our technician-owners live in your community and understand local water conditions. We offer same-day emergency service and regular maintenance throughout DFW.

Pool alkalinity gets high from: Texas source water naturally containing 150-250 ppm alkalinity from limestone, overuse of alkalinity increaser (sodium bicarbonate), evaporation concentrating minerals as water is replaced, and some sanitizers adding to alkalinity. Once high, it's difficult to reduce without professional help.

While some aspects of high alkalinity can be DIY, CoOpPools recommends professional service for safety and effectiveness. Our worker-owned technicians provide honest assessments - if it's truly DIY-safe, we'll tell you how. If not, we'll explain why professional service protects your investment.