Part of the Water Wisdom Series for Home Inspectors by: Scott J. Bradley Aquacheck Laboratory, Inc. www.Aquacheck-VT.com 1-800-263-9596

Home Inspector: What’s pH? pH is the relative strength or concentration of the hydrogen ion (H + ) in a given solution or matrix. So – what exactly does that mean, and how does pH affect the water? How can we control pH in drinking water? What is the scale, and how do we test for it? Hydrogen gas…. www.rkm.com.au

pH is the relative strength or concentration of the hydrogen ion (H + ) in a given solution or matrix.

So – what exactly does that mean, and how does pH affect the water?

How can we control pH in drinking water?

What is the scale, and how do we test for it?

Hydrogen gas….

www.rkm.com.au

The pH Scale The pH scale extends from the most Acidic side - 0, to the most basic at 15. At 7.0, the pH scale is in balance between the hydrogen ion (H + ), and the hydroxyl ion, (OH - ). This means the water is pH balanced, and is neither basic, nor acidic, but neutral. pH can change, sometimes rapidly, depending on the reason for change and the alkalinity of the water. Notice that the above two added = H2O! www.science company.com

The pH scale extends from the most

Acidic side - 0, to the most basic at 15.

At 7.0, the pH scale is in balance between the hydrogen ion (H + ), and the hydroxyl ion, (OH - ).

This means the water is pH balanced, and is neither basic, nor acidic, but neutral. pH can

change, sometimes rapidly,

depending on the reason for

change and the alkalinity of

the water.

Notice that the above two added = H2O!

www.science company.com

Home Inspector: pH Implications The USEPA maximum contaminant level (MCL), for pH in drinking water is 6.5 to 8.5. The problem is often times low, or acidic pH. This does not present a health issue so much but low pH can make water corrosive to plumbing. Low pH can prevent calcium carbonate from being deposited on the inside of copper pipes, or scaling, and the corrosive water then dissolves the interior of the pipes. A small amount of scaling (CaCO 3 ) is good for pipes for protection from corrosion.

The USEPA maximum contaminant level (MCL), for pH in drinking water is 6.5 to 8.5.

The problem is often times low, or acidic pH.

This does not present a health issue so much but low pH can make water corrosive to plumbing.

Low pH can prevent calcium carbonate from being deposited on the inside of copper pipes, or scaling, and the corrosive water then dissolves the interior of the pipes.

A small amount of scaling (CaCO 3 ) is good for pipes for protection from corrosion.

Testing and Recommendations Home inspectors can help their clients understand the importance of pH as a potential indication of the longevity of the plumbing in the home. Field testing of pH is recommended, if possible, because the pH can change in moments from the time the sample was taken. Otherwise, testing at the laboratory is warranted. Field testing: Lab testing: www.alpinebiomed.com www.futurepkg.com

Home inspectors can help their clients understand the importance of pH as a potential indication of the longevity of the plumbing in the home.

Field testing of pH is recommended, if possible, because the pH can change in moments from the time the sample was taken.

Otherwise, testing at the laboratory is warranted.

Field testing: Lab testing:

www.alpinebiomed.com www.futurepkg.com

Remedies for low pH Home inspectors can recommend a professional water treatment company to add equipment to raise the pH. Often times, a sodium hydroxide injector (NaOH), is used to raise the pH to a manageable level. Once the pH is raised, some available calcium carbonate should coat the inside of the copper pipes, and create a protective coating, (scaling). The lower the alkalinity, (carbonate and bicarbonate in the water), the easier it is to influence, or change pH the water. If there is no available calcium carbonate, pipes can be coated with applications like polyphosphates.

Home inspectors can recommend a professional water treatment company to add equipment to raise the pH.

Often times, a sodium hydroxide injector (NaOH), is used to raise the pH to a manageable level.

Once the pH is raised, some available calcium carbonate should coat the inside of the copper pipes, and create a protective coating, (scaling).

The lower the alkalinity, (carbonate and bicarbonate in the water), the easier it is to influence, or change pH the water.

If there is no available calcium carbonate, pipes can be coated with applications like polyphosphates.

Home Inspector Series: pH in Drinking Water I hope you have enjoyed this issue of Water Wisdom for Home Inspectors, brought to you as a courtesy learning tool from Scott J. Bradley at Aquacheck Laboratory, Inc. http://www.aquacheck-vt.com 1-800-263-9596

I hope you have enjoyed this issue of Water Wisdom for Home Inspectors, brought to you

as a courtesy learning tool from

Scott J. Bradley at

Aquacheck Laboratory, Inc.

http://www.aquacheck-vt.com

1-800-263-9596