Why is my swimming pool cloudy?
Posted on Wed, Jun 29, 2011 @ 04:29 PM
So you are wondering what to do with your pool because it just won't seem to clear up? You may be planning a party or a special weekend BBQ and you just don't know what to do!
The first thing to do is start with the pool equiptment. Is the pump working correctly and pushing the water through the filter and back into the pool at full power? You can check the pressure at the pool returns to make sure you have good flow. If not, then you may need to have a pool company remove the pump and check the impeller. Impeller's sometimes will get clogged and perhaps jammed up.
Next you will want to check the filter sytem itself depending on what filter media you are using.
Sand - When was the last time you backwashed it? If you have backwashed it frequently then you will want to check the sand. Remove the valve and or split the tank and visually check the sand to see if it is caked up with oil and grease. You can use a product such as Strip Kwik to clean the grease and oil build up to restore the filter sand to full efficiency. This should make it work great with peak performance.
DE - A diatomaceous earth filter has white powder that needs to be flushed and replaced periodically. See your local pool and spa company to help you get the right products to restore your D.E. filter to full efficiency and capacity.
Cartridge filter - these filters have cartridges that need to be periodically cleaned by spraying them down with Kleen it and then rinsing them off or soaking them overnight.
Once you make sure the filters are clean and working to peak efficiency and the pump is running perfect it is time to check the water chemistry.
There are a few things to check in your water chemistry if the water is cloudy. The first thing to do is take your water to a professional BioGuard Pool Dealer or Pool or Pool and Spa Connection and have them perform a full test of all water chemistry parameters.
pH and Alakalinity - These can really affect the clarity of water expecially if they are too high. Use Low n Slo to help lower high pH and alkalinity levels.
Calcium - if your calcium is too high sometimes it can contribute to cloudy water.
If your water is balanced and all water chemistry parameters are correct then it is time to look at the chlorine level and whether the pool needs to be shocked.
Your local BioGuard Pool Dealer can test the chlorine to make sure it has enough free chlorine and that there is not chloramines in the water. If there is a presence of chloramines than the water will need to be shocked at a rate of 1lb of Burn Out Shock per 10,000 gallons of water for every .1ppm of chloramines.
Now to recap - your filter is running perfect, your water is balanced and you shocked your pool. If your water is still cloudy then you will want to use a fiber product called Sparkle Up to help your filter super clean the water. The fiber makes your filter a "Super Filter" and removes the finest particles.
Also Polysheen Blue can be a big help in polishing the water by making the particles larger so they can be filtered out.
Please post your questions or comments so we can help with answers that are based on facts not opinions.
Thank you,
The Team at Pool and Spa Connection