Pool pH Chemistry: Caring for pH Pool Sensors in the Off-Season

To keep your pool water clean and protect equipment from damage, the chemical balance is important. Pool pH chemistry is vital, but here we focus more on caring for pH pool sensors in the off-season. You’ll find that it is essential pool maintenance. Pool Works Pools & Spas of Auburndale, FL, shares the information you need, as follows.

Why is pH Important?

Briefly, before going into caring for pH pool sensors when the pool is closed for a season, here are five reasons pH balance is important:

• If the pH is high, the effectiveness of chlorine is reduced, and you spend more money on pool maintenance.
• A pool’s vinyl liner will wrinkle and age faster if there is an unbalanced or high pH.
• Low pH corrodes plaster and causes corrosion on ladders, slides, and other pool mechanical equipment.
• Acidic water and high pH water—aka improperly balanced water—cause irritation and stinging in the eyes, on the skin, and in the nasal passages.
• High pH causes cloudy, murky water and mineral deposits.

Types of pH Sensors

The pH sensors make it possible to avoid the problems described above. There are two types of pH sensors used in pools and they are replaceable electrode sensors and non-replaceable electrode sensors. If you want to test pH in pool water on a long-term basis, replaceable sensors are the best of the two options. Non-replaceable sensors are the least expensive option, and they are ideal if you don’t intend to use the sensor for more than one year.

Preparing pH Sensors for the Off-Season

There are several steps involved in making sure your pH sensors are kept in good condition until you are using your swimming pool again. These are the steps for preparing them for storage:

• Remove the pH sensor from the pool. Be gentle so that you don’t damage the electrode.
• Clean the pH sensor, and the method you choose is determined by what contaminants are on the sensor. It may be enough to simply rinse the sensor with deionized water. But if you see algae growth on the sensor, place the sensor in a soap solution or in rubbing alcohol for 15 minutes.
• Check the pH sensor for damage because it may need to be replaced.

Storing pH Sensors for the Off-Season

Follow the steps below precisely so that you store the pH sensor properly and don’t do any damage.

• Store the pH electrode in an electrode storage solution.
• While in the liquid solution, keep the pH sensors in a dry and cool location. It is important to avoid exposure to hot temperatures or high humidity levels.
• Another way to protect the pH sensor is to place it in a protective case so that it won’t be damaged if it falls.

Caring for pH Pool Sensors Made Easy

Remember that pool care made easy requires only that you schedule help from Pool Works. The maintenance and care we provide maximizes the protection of your pool equipment. And your pool will be remarkably clean when caring for pH pool sensors in the off-season is complete. Call us today at (863) 967-2863 or reach out online with the convenience of our contact form.