I had my pool replastered in the beginning of 2017. We had issues that summer with pH/CH rising all summer. I was continuously draining the pool and adding muriatic acid to keep the pH in range (1-2 gallons a week). When we closed the pool, all the chemicals were balanced. I did everything the same way i had closed things the past 4 years for mine and my in-laws pools.
When I opened it this spring, the pH was off the charts high, and the TA was also sky-high. After adding 7 gallons of acid over the first few days, the pH was balanced (and the TA by association). It left a ring stained around the pool where the water level was over the winter. It also made the plaster very rough with lots of pitting (requiring lots of brushing all summer to get it somewhat smooth again). The hot tub was also covered in scale from the high pH, discoloring it dramatically.
This summer we haven't had had the same issues, other than pH rising maybe slightly faster than it used to. But before I close the pool this winter, I wanted to ask for suggestions about preventing this from occurring again this winter. I have a solid cover, and i've never opened it to add chemicals mid-winter. I've never had to test the water mid-winter to make sure things were still balanced because they always were when i opened in the spring. If I should be doing either of those, or adding something additional before I close it (like lowering the pH much lower in advance), let me know what you think.
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Btw, this is what the hot tub looked like when I opened it this spring. It was way worse than the pool because the smaller amount of water in it seemed to do more damage quicker. I was thinking of leaving it open this winter to ensure it doesn't get worse (and hopefully enjoy it some in the cold months).
When I opened it this spring, the pH was off the charts high, and the TA was also sky-high. After adding 7 gallons of acid over the first few days, the pH was balanced (and the TA by association). It left a ring stained around the pool where the water level was over the winter. It also made the plaster very rough with lots of pitting (requiring lots of brushing all summer to get it somewhat smooth again). The hot tub was also covered in scale from the high pH, discoloring it dramatically.
This summer we haven't had had the same issues, other than pH rising maybe slightly faster than it used to. But before I close the pool this winter, I wanted to ask for suggestions about preventing this from occurring again this winter. I have a solid cover, and i've never opened it to add chemicals mid-winter. I've never had to test the water mid-winter to make sure things were still balanced because they always were when i opened in the spring. If I should be doing either of those, or adding something additional before I close it (like lowering the pH much lower in advance), let me know what you think.
- - - Updated - - -
Btw, this is what the hot tub looked like when I opened it this spring. It was way worse than the pool because the smaller amount of water in it seemed to do more damage quicker. I was thinking of leaving it open this winter to ensure it doesn't get worse (and hopefully enjoy it some in the cold months).
