Clear water is healthy and clean water. The entire team here at Erik’s Aquatic Care advises you to steer clear of cloudy pool water. It’s the same principle as the vacation beach water versus the crystal-clear water in the Caribbean. You’re more likely to walk right into the water where you can see the bottom and know what is (or isn’t) in the water. When it comes to pools, unclear and cloudy pool water is a sign something is wrong. Cloudiness can be caused by plants and tree debris, rain water, bodily chemicals and compounds, nearby construction debris, or dead algae in the pool. Be safe about cloudiness and know what can cause cloudy pool water.
Causes Behind Cloudy Pool Water
- Misusing or malfunctioning filter—if you don’t run your filter often enough or if it’s not functioning properly, the result can be cloudy water. Your filter is the source, therefore if it’s dirty, the cloudy water will never be clean.
- Chemical imbalance—cleaning agents in your water such as sanitizers and other chemicals you use in your water could make your water cloudy if they’re not properly balanced. That way, algae and other contaminants can build up in your water and cause a stronger cloudy water.
- Shocking your pool—don’t be alarmed if you’re maintaining your pool regularly and your chemicals are balanced. A shock treatment will cloud your pool naturally through the cleaning process. Once it’s complete, your (clean) filter will clear everything up.
- The environment—dust or pollen in the air can settle on your pool’s surface and cloud your view to the bottom. this could settle into your pool and make it cloudy. If all the other options have been crossed off, and the environment is the factor, we advise incorporating a pool clarifier. This is something we’ll cover later on in this blog. For now, a pool clarifier clots the particles so more easily be removed by your filter.
Using A Water Clarifier
Your filter is your stronger line of defense in regards to cleaning your pool. However, your filter isn’t the only available option for cleaning and it shouldn’t be. Water clarifiers are strong secondary alternatives. As we mentioned earlier, the purpose of pool clarifiers is to clump the particles in your pool to be more easily filtered. By chance, if your filter is running and still see the cloudy water, it’s probable the particles are too small to be cleared out by your filter. Additionally, if you run your filter overnight and the cloudiness remains, that is a sign you need a water clarifier to successfully clean your water.
Types and Tips
There are different types of water clarifiers to choose from based on the size of pool, type of pool, and chemicals used. Once you add water clarifiers to the pool water, it will take time to coagulate (meaning for the liquid to change to a solid state) and then for those coagulated particles to be filtered out. Therefore, plan ahead to wait twelve hours for your pool clarifier to be fully functional. In some extreme instances, you might need to run your filter constantly for a few days to clear out the water.
In any residential pool, pool clarifiers are not meant to be used frequently. Pool clarifiers should be used sparingly to remove occasional cloudiness every pool experiences, especially when it is opened. If you find you can’t get a clean pool with a pool clarifier, it could mean there’s a bigger problem. If the problem is more persistent, you may need to consider improving your filter, correcting your sanitization methods, or properly balancing your chemicals. Past those points, it may be worth your time to call in the professionals. Get an experienced opinion before any more damage is done. Better safe than sorry, right?
REFERENCES:
- http://www.concordpools.com/help/245-top-10-things-that-will-negatively-affect-pool-water-chemistry
- https://www.thisoldhouse.com/how-to/how-to-maintain-pool
Erik’s Aquatic Care is always here to answer questions you may have as a current or future pool owner. Cheers!
