Ask Me Help Desk - Legal PH level in HOMES ?

Legal PH level in HOMES?

All right, so the legal PH level in water I assume are different from citites to cities? Anyhow, I had a water softner rep. come out a few months back to test the water, he said its 1 level below the legal PH level, I was wondering what is the legal PH level? Because I would really like to have my water retested for the PH level and see where it stands also does anyone know if I can just get me a regular PH test strip say from a local fish store and use the test strip for the PH testing, and if so how accurate would it be ? Thanks..

-Steph'

It would appear that there is no "legal PH limit" in the home. The average PH value runs from 0 to 14.

pH, range of numbers expressing the relative acidity or alkalinity of a solution. In general, pH values range from 0 to 14. The pH of a neutral solution, i.e. one which is neither acidic nor alkaline, is 7. Acidic solutions have pH values below 7; alkaline, or basic, solutions have pH values above 7. A pH value provides a measure of the hydrogen ion concentration of a solution. In pure water the concentration of hydrogen ions is equal to 0.0000001, or 10−7, moles per liter. (A mole is the amount of a substance, expressed in grams, that is equal to the molecular weight, or formula weight, of the substance.) When an acid is added to pure water, the hydrogen ion concentration increases above this level. When an alkaline substance, or base, is added to pure water, the hydrogen ion concentration decreases below this level. Once the concentration is determined, the pH value is found by taking the exponent used in expressing this concentration and reversing its sign. This is expressed as pH=−log10 [H+]. For example, if the hydrogen ion concentration of a solution is 10−4, or 0.0001, moles per liter, the pH is 4.
Regards, Tom

Great thank you.. because a water softener companny was over a few months back tested the water and said my home water PH level was at 13?

Pure water has a pH of 7. Lower pH values indicate acidic water, higher pH values mean the water is basic. Generally, we are talking modest ranges, pHs from 5.5 to 8.0. (Vinegar, I think, is about 3.) Going beyond those pHs would give water a taste.

The problem with acidic water is that it can solubilize metals, including lead, from old pipes or solder. In the area where I live (metro Boston), the water is intentionally made slightly basic to reduce lead dissolution from old pipes.

The pH paper from the fish store would be good enough to measure your pH.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coupee36

great thank you.. because a water softener companny was over a few months back tested the water and said my home water PH level was at 13 ??

Your water doesn't have a pH of 13. A solution of lye with that pH would take your skin off. Yeah, get the pH strips at the fish store and test your water.
Please let us know what you find.

If you have a mineral problem or water outside say 6-8 pH, talk to a different water softener company.

Quote:

Originally Posted by labman

Your water doesn't have a pH of 13. A solution of lye with that pH would take your skin off. Yeah, get the pH strips at the fish store and test your water.
Please let us know what you find.

If you have a mineral problem or water outside say 6-8 pH, talk to a different water softener company.

OK great, thank you.. see I am new to this whole water/plumbing stuff.. all I know is I have hard water, because the fact shower glass always ends up with water spots.. (its a pain to remove as well).. then the water softerner rep guy came and said the ph level test showed up 13 which is way above normal? Anyhow thanks again.. I'll do the testing tomorrow.. when store opens..

Think "sales" gimick, They have various things to "show" you that will make you believe you are posioning your family.

With that said a water softner is great as is the water purifier, the softner is great for your clothes to get them clean with almost no soap.

So while I dislike the maketing of many of the firms, they are a wonderful system for a home if you can afford one and have room for one.