Water Chemistry /
How much pH increaser should you add to a pool?
There’s no universal dose. The right amount depends on your pool volume, current pH, and the product label, so test first and retest after circulation.
Archive date: this article was written for PoolSkimmer on Oct 24, 2026 and given the earlier archive date of Dec 25, 2025 so the blog reads as an organized archive. It was not published on that date.
Determining the right amount of pH increaser
One cannot put a single figure on how much to add to a pool. The proper dose is dictated by the volume of your pool, what the pH is at present and the product in question. The best approach is to test the water, then let it circulate and retest before you make any further moves; in the meantime, be sure to follow the label.
Precautions before application
A good rule is to consult a dependable test kit or strips and consider the overall water balance rather than fixating on a solitary number.
1. Run a test on the pool’s current pH. 2. Check your records, builder information or equipment papers for the pool volume. 3. If your kit allows, review the alkalinity since the two are interrelated. 4. Do not add anything without first reading the product label.
Should the chlorine be off or the water prove irritating or cloudy, low pH may not be the only issue at hand.
On the type of increaser
Soda ash is the go to for most pool owners, though some will use borax or similar ingredients. They do not all act the same in every pool, which is why the label is more reliable than a general rule.
Do not confuse baking soda with a standard pH increaser. While it can alter pH, its primary use is to put up total alkalinity, and it does so in a way that is different from soda ash. Low alkalinity in particular will affect how the pool reacts to correction.
A safe method for raising pH
Proceed in this order:
1. Note the result of a pH test. 2. Be certain the pool requires this specific correction. 3. Put in the chemical as the manufacturer has directed for that exact product. 4. Have the pump on to ensure circulation. 5. Retest once the water has moved around.
Hayward would have it that you test regularly and let the treated water mix properly in accordance with their maintenance advice.
Common errors to steer clear of
Pool owners should not be guessing at doses, nor should they add more before the initial treatment has had time to circulate. It is also a mistake to treat a problem with debris or sanitizer as though it were merely a matter of pH. And never reach into the skimmer or other equipment with the pump still running. For that matter, if the water is out of whack or there is reason to suspect an electrical fault, stay out of the pool.
Time to call in a pro
There are instances when qualified assistance is warranted. This includes when the pH will not hold after repeated efforts, or if the water remains unstable and irritating. If you are unsure of the pool volume, or if you are dealing with a feeder, salt system or automation trouble, get some help. Equipment issues like leaks can throw off the water balance.
If you need to get to the skimmer basket, shut the pump down and refer to the manual. In the event of unsafe electrical conditions, do not attempt to make repairs and do not swim.
Sources and further reading
- [Hayward: Weekly pool maintenance](https://www.hayward.com/maintenance/weekly-pool-maintenance)