There are a number of factors that help your pool water stay crystal clear and irresistible. If any one of them goes wrong or stops working, you can end up with cloudy pool water. The bad news is that it’s easy for pool water to turn cloudy when one of those factors goes wrong. The good news is that the problem is fixable. Here are the reasons your pool water becomes cloudy.
The Pool Pump Isn’t Running Long Enough
One way to keep your pool water clear is to make sure that the pool pump runs for at least eight hours a day during the pool season. When it runs, the pump moves the water around and keeps it from becoming stagnant. Stagnant water is perfect for the proliferation of contaminants such as bacteria and algae. If you find operating your pump for long hours a bit more expensive than you’d like, you can run it at night. You can also ask a pool professional to install a timer to break up the eight or so hours into more manageable units of time.
Low Chlorine
The purpose of chlorine is to destroy the bacteria that can cloud your pool water. It can’t do this job if its levels are too low. Have a professional test your water for its chlorine level. If it’s too low, the professional will adjust it.
High pH Levels
High pH levels in your pool water mean that it’s too alkaline. Like low levels of chlorine, high pH levels let algae and bacteria flourish. This also makes the water uncomfortable for swimming. It can cause itchy skin, irritate the eyes, and leave lime scale on pool surfaces. Again, call in a professional to adjust the pH levels.
Different Kinds of Algae
Though low chlorine and high pH can encourage algae to grow, you might need to use an algaecide to be rid of it for good. One thing to know is that there are different types of algae that can grow in your pool, and they may need different types of algaecide. Some professionals also recommend following the algaecide with a clarifier. This is a chemical that grabs tiny bits of dirt and other contaminants and allows them to be flushed out of the pool.
Too Much Calcium
Too much calcium in the water can also make the water cloudy. Adding a clarifier removes too much calcium, as well as other contaminants.
Contact Us if Your Pool Water Is Cloudy
A pool that looks like it’s been half-filled with a truckload of skim milk quickly turns a joyous pool party into a dud. If you need pool service such as water testing, don’t hesitate to call our professionals at Aloha Pool Service in Medford, NJ.