Nothing is more inviting than swimming in a beautiful, turquoise pool to cool down or get your daily exercise. Cloudy water can put a damper on the whole experience, and while this is usually fairly simple to resolve, it must be dealt with as soon as it is detected.
In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the most common causes of cloudy pool water and give some tips on how to fix a cloudy pool.
Why Does Pool Water Get Cloudy?
If you’ve wondered why your salt water pool is cloudy, you’re not alone. Multiple factors can contribute to the cloudiness of saltwater and freshwater pools.
Unbalanced Water Chemistry
The pH levels of pool water play a vital role in maintaining water clarity. High pH levels, calcium hardness, and total alkalinity can cause water to turn cloudy. In addition, the accumulation of minerals like copper, iron, and magnesium can cause discoloration and hazy water in pools.
Poor Circulation
Inadequate circulation of pool water can result in stagnation, leading to a buildup of contaminants. The improper circulation of pool water can also weaken the effectiveness of disinfectants such as chlorine and make it difficult to maintain water clarity.
Poor Filtration
A pool’s filtration system plays a critical role in keeping the water clear. Clogged or dirty filters hinder the functioning of the filtration system, so it is paramount that filters are regularly checked, cleaned, and replaced when necessary
Is Cloudy Pool Water Safe or Dangerous?
The majority of cloudy pool water is not harmful, but it can pose potential health risks if not treated promptly. Cloudy pool water indicates the presence of contaminants, such as bacteria, algae, or other harmful microorganisms. Swimmers can ingest these microorganisms, which can cause infections, rashes, and other illnesses.
Fortunately, cloudy water can be solved easily.
Regularize Water Chemistry
Inappropriate water chemistry will likely cause water to turn cloudy. It’s essential to test water chemistry regularly and ensure that the pH, alkalinity, and calcium hardness levels are within acceptable limits.
Maintain a Regular Cleaning Routine
Filters must be checked and changed regularly. You might also consider using pool clarifiers, which work by binding small particles together, making them more prominent and easier to remove.
Shock the Pool
Pool shocking is essentially adding large amounts of chlorine to pool water to eliminate harmful bacteria and other contaminants. It usually involves adding two or three times the standard amount of chlorine to the water. Pool shocking should be done after testing the water chemistry to ensure that the pH levels are within the acceptable limits.
Clear Sailing
Why is your pool water cloudy after shocking, cleaning, and changing the filters? If any of these unlikely scenarios occur, we suggest getting a professional’s help. However, if you follow our advice, you should be able to resolve the most common cloudy water issues and get back to having a sparkling, safe pool in no time!
Hi, I’m Matt Harper, the founder of poolcareguy.com, a site I started with one simple mission: to help people around the world clean and take care of their pools and hot tubs on their own, without the hassle.
I’m not a professional pool cleaner and don’t have any formal training, I’m just an average guy who loves hanging out by his pool and hot tub and taking care of it. After many years on the job, I’ve become quite good at it.
On this website I will be teaching you absolutely everything I know about pools and hot tubs.
