November 2011
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Changing Your Hot Tub Water in 4 Simple Steps
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How to Choose the Right In-ground Pool for You
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It may seem like nothing ruins a day by the pool more suddenly than clouds settling in overhead. However, a cloudy sky isn’t nearly as problematic for pool owners as cloudy water. While clouds in the sky are a temporary inconvenience, cloudy water is usually a sign that something is wrong with your pool. Keep your water clear this summer by paying attention to the causes behind cloudy water and preventing clouds before they form.
Cloudy Pool Water: Causes
Whether you have a chlorine-free or chlorinated pool, the appearance of cloudiness in water is caused by the suspension of visible particles or impurities. These particles are most often created by poor filtration or circulation, improper water balance, or the early stages of algae, says Paul Loomis, a water scientist with Arch Chemicals, Inc.
Poor filtration can result from plugged filters or skimmers, or inadequate filter run time. Rips or tears in your filter screens will also allow impurities to leak through.
Water balance is important because high levels of pH, total alkalinity (TA) or calcium hardness make it more difficult for minerals to dissolve in your water. This can cause the suspension of crystallized calcium carbonate particles, which will make your water look cloudy.
Algae can form at any time, but it is especially problematic in warmer weather. Low levels of sanitizer will leave your pool water more vulnerable to algae spore formation.
Prevention of Cloudy Pool Water
To prevent cloudy water, you need to “maintain proper water chemistry, good circulation and filtration, and keep a good sanitizer residual,” Loomis says. Maintaining proper water chemistry means making sure your pH, TA and calcium hardness are all within their optimal ranges as directed on your product labels. Regular testing and application of treatments is the best way to keep your levels where they need to be.
To prevent filtration problems, be sure to chemically clean your pool filter at least twice per season — for pools open year round three times a season is recommended. Not only will this allow your filter to properly remove unwanted substances from your pool, but it will also keep your filter operating efficiently, allowing you to use less sanitizer.
To protect against algae, be sure to follow a routine pool care program that includes regular shock treatment and algaecide additions. Also be sure to brush your pool regularly.
Solutions for Cloudy Water
If you already have cloudy water and want to get rid of it, your first step should be to determine which of the causes mentioned above is clouding your water.
Water balance is one of the easiest of the problems to diagnose. Check here to see if your pH, TA and calcium hardness levels are outside of recommended ranges.
A close inspection of your filter screens (for DE or cartridge filters) should reveal any tears or rips. If there are holes, you will need to replace your filter media. To determine whether your filter is plugged, Loomis suggests observing your filter to see if it is blowing cloudy water back into the pool, or putting your hand in front of the pool water return jet to gauge how fast the water is flowing. If the water flow is minimal, the odds are likely that the filter is plugged. It is also important to check the pressure reading on your filter. If the pressure has increased 8 to 10 pounds per square inch (psi) above the starting pressure, your filter needs to be backwashed (Always use your filter manufacturers instructions as a guide). If you have not chemically cleaned your filter within the past 4 to 6 months, now would be a good time to complete this task.
If you suspect that early algae growth is the culprit, test the sanitizer levels in your pool. If your sanitizer level is below the minimum recommended range, for chlorine pools, shock treat according to product label directions, then add a preventative dose of algaecide. For chlorine-free pools the process is a little different — we have prepared an easy to follow reference sheet. (Requires Adobe Acrobat.) Always feel free to consult your professional dealer for specialized advice.
Take a pool water sample to your professional dealer each month for a full water analysis. Your dealer will also be able to troubleshoot any common pool problems you encounter during the season. Sometimes a simple solution is to check how long your filter operates during a 24 hour period — remember 8-12 hours are recommended — however in times of heavy use and high temperatures you may need to increase your filtration period.
