top of page

Dry, Itchy, Irritated Skin - Have You Checked Your pH & Alkalinity Levels Lately?

Oftentimes people complain of having dry, itchy skin after using their pool or spa. This is a common misconception that leads to the idea that lowering the sanitizer levels or even switching the type of sanitizer being used will solve this problem. Most of the time that is NOT the proper solution. The single most important factor to keep swimmers’ skin comfortable, to protect pool surfaces and keep equipment in pristine working condition, is proper pH and alkalinity balance.


The pH and alkalinity scale is a measurement of how acidic or basic the water is. It’s based on a scale from 0-14, with a pH reading of 7 being neutral. Anything below 7 is considered acidic, while anything above 7 is considered basic or alkaline.



Balanced pH and alkalinity allows your chlorine to work most effectively. This will help to keep your pool clean and clear, as well as algae free.



Customer Perspective :

A few days ago, we had a customer come into our store asking about the best process to follow in order for him to switch his spa from bromine to chlorine. After a short conversation and asking a few questions, we found out why he was proposing this change. His family has been experiencing skin irritations, such as dry skin, and skin tightening after use. No matter how they adjusted the bromine level, their skin irritations did not get any better.


When a customer uses bromine in a spa, this makes the water acidic. This same reaction happens when chlorine tablets (trichlor) are used in a pool. To prevent the water level from becoming acidic, add a dose of pH and alkalinity increaser each time bromine or tablets are added to the water. This will help balance the pH and alkalinity of the water. Your spa and your skin will thank you!



In-Store Results :

If you are ever in doubt of how your water levels are reading or any issues you are having, bring in a water sample. We offer FREE water testing. Our knowledgeable staff gives you real answers AND we show you how to apply that to YOUR pool. We test everything manually for accurate results and get you the right products you need.



Pro Tip :

Have a spa at home? Thinking about getting one?

We carry the complete Sirona line. Here’s the essential products to have on hand to make sure you're maintaining a top notch spa!



Comments


bottom of page