Sodium bicarbonate, often called buffer or total alkalinity increaser, helps keep your pool's pH stable. Think of it as a cushion that prevents your pH from changing too quickly.

When your buffer level is within the recommended range, your pool is much easier to maintain because the pH remains more consistent. Without enough buffer, the pH can swing up and down dramatically whenever chemicals are added, after heavy rain, or even with normal pool use.

Maintaining the correct buffer level helps to:

• Stabilise your pH, making it easier to keep between 7.2 and 7.6.

• Reduce chemical use, as you'll spend less time correcting pH fluctuations.

What happens if the buffer is too low?

Low total alkalinity can cause the pH to become unstable.

If pool acid is introduced, the water can become too acidic very quickly because there is not enough buffer to absorb the change. Low buffer can also cause the pH to rise faster than normal, making it harder to keep the water balanced.

This instability can damage pool equipment, etch pool surfaces, and cause eye and skin irritation.

What happens if the buffer is too high?

Excessively high buffer makes the pH difficult to adjust. Even after adding acid, the pH may continue drifting upwards, especially in saltwater pools. High alkalinity can also contribute to cloudy water and calcium scale forming on pool surfaces and equipment.