It’s finally summer, so you, your family, and all the kids in the neighborhood want to use your pool. But if you’ve been neglecting it all winter, it might need a little tune-up before anyone will want to jump in. But if you’ve already spent hours with the skimmer and the water’s still cloudy, we’ve got you covered.
Chemical imbalances, algae, or particles generally cause cloudy swimming pool water. The good news is that figuring out the problem is pretty straightforward. The bad news is that you might have to spend a few days mucking around with pool chemicals and cleaning. But first, let’s talk about how to diagnose your problem.
You do have a water testing kit. Go ahead and dust it off. If you’ve never looked at it, figure out what it tests for. Even the most basic tests should tell you your water’s pH, alkalinity, free chlorine, and total chlorine levels. You want your pH number to fall between 7.2 and 7.6 and your alkalinity between 80 to 120 ppm. If your kit also tests for calcium (a complex water indicator), that number should be between 200 and 400 ppm. If any of these numbers are way out of range, follow the directions for your pool chemicals to balance them out. Wait a couple of days and test your water again.
If the water’s balanced but cloudy, you might have an algae problem. This one’s easy: is the water gray and green? Algae. Is it blue or grey? Dead algae. Kill any algae by ensuring your free and total chlorine levels fall between one and three ppm.
OK, but what if all your chemical levels are acceptable? Then you’ve got some sediment, and it’s time to call the pros or get dirty. You’ll want to remove your pool filter and hose it off if you can. Some pool filters require replacement, backwashing, or treatment instead. If you’re not sure which treatment your filter needs, it’s time to call for backup.
If all your chemicals are fine and you’ve just cleaned your filtration system, your last resort is to use a clarifier. These chemicals bind tiny particles together so that your filter can grab them. However, using these treatments too much can clog your filter and make it less effective, so use these as a last resort.
No matter how deep you are, if you’re in the Houston area, we’re available to answer your questions and help you with all your pool maintenance needs. Cleaning up your pool water can take days and get pretty gross. But we all know that nothing beats a crystal-clear pool in the hot summer months! Contact us at ABC Home & Commercial Services today.