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3 Ways to Fix Your Cloudy Pool Problem
time2013/01/03
- 3 Ways to Fix Your Cloudy Pool Problem
Do you hate when you head for a dip in your crisp blue pool only to find cloudy and murky waters in its place? Not only is cloudy pool water unpleasant to look at and gross to swim in, but it can also harbour bacteria you don't want all over your body.
Thankfully, you don't need to drain and refill your pool to get that crystal clear water back. Milky pool water has a variety of possible causes, but each one has a solution. Check out three of the most common culprits and how to fix them.
1. Replace your pump
One common cause of cloudy pool water is a filtration system that functions below capacity. In particular, a broken, ageing or worn-down pool pump could be to blame.
Pool pumps help to keep your pool water clear by drawing water into the filtration system, pushing it through your filter and out of the other end. As such, a working pool pump is crucial to your pool's sanitation. If your pump doesn’t work as strongly as it should be, it won't be able to help clean all the contaminants from your pool, leading to cloudy water.
To work out whether your pool pump is the problem, look out for signs of wear and tear. Rumbling, grinding or screeching sounds are all signs that your pump needs replacing. Alternatively, you may notice excess bubbles or low suction.
A pump motor that turns off when it shouldn't is also a cause for concern, and motors over 11 to 15 years old will generally have lost a lot of function.
2. Replace your filter
If your pool pump isn't the problem, look to the next core part of your filtration system: the filter itself.
Your pool filter works to remove contaminants from the water the pool pump pushes through. The filter media itself (usually sand, diatomaceous earth or a cartridge) traps unclean particles to get them out of your pool water. If your filter is clogged or worn out, it won't be able to remove the bacteria and contaminants that cause cloudy water.
You might have some signs that your pool filter is clogged or worn out. You may notice your pump turning off or grinding naturally when it should operate smoothly or air bubbles coming out of the water.
If your pool filter doesn’t clean your pool as quickly as it should, the filter media looks damaged or worn, or you find yourself needing to backwash the filter more often, you likely need to replace it.
3. Adjust your pool chemistry
Aside from pool equipment itself, unbalanced water chemistry is another common cause of uninviting cloudiness.
To keep your pool chemistry in check, add the right mix of chemicals to keep the water safe and clean for swimming. Inadequate or excessive amounts of any one chemical could be the reason your pool is so milky.
High alkalinity levels, for example, can cause scale to form in the pool, while excess calcium hardness leads to an unpleasant flaky buildup. These can lead to cloudy water if they break up into the water or clog up your filtration system.
If you haven't kept on top of your pool chemical levels, now could be the time to start. Pick up some pool water testing strips to work out what the problem is, then use high-quality chemical additives to restore the water to its best.