Having a clean pool is great for you and your family, but keeping it crystal clear and free of contaminants takes consistent effort. Besides being careful about how much chlorine you add to the water, you must also inspect it for signs of contamination. Here are some subtle signs to look out for.
Hazy Pool Water
One of the subtle but alarming signs is hazy pool water. This could result from poor filtration, debris in the water, or a chemical imbalance. If you have a clogged or malfunctioning filter, it can’t effectively remove contaminants from your water.
You also may not be running your pool pump long enough. To efficiently filter out contaminants from a pool, a pump needs to run 8-12 hours a day. Debris in the water, such as lotions or body oils, can also contribute to cloudy water.
Greenish Tint
A greenish tint to your pool color typically means that algae is growing in the pool. Low chlorine levels provide an ideal environment for algae to bloom. Running your pump for shorter times than recommended can also cause stagnant water spots. These “dead spots” create the perfect climate for algae to thrive.
However, algae growth can occur even if you stay on top of maintenance. Algae tend to grow in unusually warm weather, which means when temperatures soar, your pool could easily turn green in a couple of days.
Foam or Bubbles
Foam or bubbles in the water usually mean there’s a high concentration of organic waste, such as sunscreen, lotions, cosmetic waste, or hair products from swimmers. In addition, your pool’s calcium levels could be low, resulting in soft water, which foams more than hard water.
On the other hand, if the bubbles are coming from your return jets, it could mean air is getting sucked into your filter system. If this is the case, contact professionals to inspect your pump’s O-ring or its strainer pot lid.
Scale Buildup
Notice a chalky residue on the walls of your pool? Does the bottom of the pool feel rough? This buildup is often the sign of higher-than-normal calcium levels. Swimmers may also notice dry, itchy skin after swimming in the pool. If you suspect you elevated calcium levels, have a professional test your water’s chemicals. They can test pH, chlorine, and total alkalinity levels.
Less Water
If you notice you have a lot less water in your pool than a day or two before, you may want to check for leaks. Leaks don’t just drain water; they also drain your pool of chemicals. So, if you’re suddenly adding a lot more chemicals than you should to maintain your pool’s balance, a hidden leak is probably to blame.
What Water Testing Can Do
Having a pool that you can enjoy means scheduling routine water testing and balancing services. A water test will look for imbalanced chemicals, such as high pH levels and low chlorine levels.
When you need your pool water tested in Hillsborough, NJ, turn to S&R Pool & Spa.