Direct answer: pH is raised using an alkaline pH-increaser product, added gradually with re-testing between doses, the same disciplined process as lowering pH but in the opposite direction.
General Steps
- Test current pH and total alkalinity — see our glossary entry on Total Alkalinity, since low alkalinity often accompanies low pH and both may need addressing
- Calculate the dose from the product manufacturer’s chart for your pool’s actual volume
- Add with the pump running, distributed across the pool
- Wait for circulation, then re-test
- Repeat gradually if still below target
What Not to Do
Don’t assume low pH is always the “whole story” — if total alkalinity is also low, correcting only pH without alkalinity can leave the water prone to swinging back down quickly.
When to Call a Professional
If pH won’t hold in range even after correcting alkalinity, a broader water-chemistry review (including calcium hardness and cyanuric acid) is worth having done.
