Hi, I’m going to be closing my new gunite pool in about a month and I’m curious how the constant ph rise is addressed during a winter close. I’m waiting to close the pool until it is about 60 degrees consistently as you guys suggest however that just helps avoid opening to algae. Do I just leave it covered all winter and ignore the constant ph rise? I know high ph leads to scaling, does the cold water also lower the risk? With no pump running there is no way to circulate acid even if I wanted to test and add it during the winter.
Ph rise in new gunite pool during winter closing.
- Thread starter Liz315
- Start date
- Jul 21, 2013
- 65,758
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
There is not a constant pH rise. The pH will rise until it reaches equilibrium. Probably in the high 8s.
All you can do is close the pool and deal with it on spring opening.
All you can do is close the pool and deal with it on spring opening.
Thanks, high 8’s is bad though right? That’s why I have to lower it constantly. I’m glad to hear there’s nothing that needs to be done as I couldn’t even imagine it possible. Im just curious how the ph high during winter effects the plaster.
- Jul 21, 2013
- 65,758
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
The worst that can happen is it can lead to some scale on the plaster. It takes a while for the pH to get there and then for any scale to form. By then you are likely opening the pool in the Spring. Run the pH and CSI low for a few weeks after you open the pool and you reverse any scaling effects.
When are you talking about? When the pool is open or closed?
Onlya s described above.
Great, I was talking about being happy I can ignore the ph while closed. I didn’t realize scale is reversible. I was scare once it’s on there it’s hard to get rid of.
“That’s why I have to lower it constantly” refers to my constant drifting of ph to 8.2 every few days and adding acid to lower it to 7.2 for it to drift back up to 8.2 in a few days and repeat the process during the entire open season. It’s our first year so it will also be our first close too.
- Jul 21, 2013
- 65,758
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Looking at your PM logs you get about 3 days between adding MA when your TA is 80 and 7 days when your TA is 60.
Keep your TA around 60 and you will get more times between acid additions.
Needing to add MA once a week or so is normal.
