Cloudy water makes your pool unsightly, which in turn makes you feel less enthusiastic about going for a swim. Murky pool water, however, is more than just a cosmetic issue. It could also mean that something’s wrong with your pool — it might be dirty, chemically unbalanced, or the filter may be broken.
With that, it’s important to look into what’s causing the cloudiness immediately to prevent more serious problems from occurring. Weber Pools, a local residential pool repair specialist in Dallas, shares the common causes of cloudy pool water and how to resolve them.
1. Environmental waste and debris
Leaves, twigs, pollen, and other environmental debris can make your pool water murky. These can also build up in your filter and prevent it from cleaning the water thoroughly, which, in turn, makes your pool even more cloudy.
Remember to clean your pool filter at least once a month to keep it from getting clogged. But if you live in an area that experiences harsh weather conditions, you need to clean your filter more frequently.
2. Improper pH and chlorine level
Your pool’s pH level affects how chlorine and other chemicals work in the water. For instance, if the pH level is too high, it could prevent the calcium from dissolving properly, which causes cloudy pool water and calcium scaling.
On the other hand, low pH levels react with chlorine, causing it to deplete faster than normal. This produces high amounts of combined chlorine or chloramine, which is known to make pool water cloudy. Chloramine also reduces chlorine’s effectiveness at killing bacteria, algae, and other microorganisms in your pool.
The recommended combined chlorine level is less than 0.2 ppm. If you have a higher chloramine measurement than that, then you need to shock your pool to replace the depleted chlorine—shocking means adding chlorine to your water.
3. Young Algae
Algae doesn’t only make your pool water green, but it can also cause cloudiness, specifically in its early stages of growth. It can be difficult to spot young algae growth since its color isn’t as vivid yet. A great way to determine if algae is present in your pool is by measuring your pH level.
If your pH level is above 7.6, it could create the perfect breeding environment for algae. You need to lower your pH level to prevent algae from growing in the first place. You can do this by using made-for-pools chemical additives called pH reducers. These additives are easier and safer to use than muriatic acid, which is the popular way to lower pH levels.
4. Broken Filter
If the three solutions mentioned above didn’t clear your pool water, that could be a sign that your filter’s broken. Your filter system is responsible for cleaning the water and making sure that your pool is safe and comfortable to swim in. A broken filter won’t be able to do its job properly, resulting in cloudy water.
Hire a pool repair specialist to check the condition of your filter. They’ll tell you if the filter is indeed causing water cloudiness. If not, they’ll inspect your pool to determine the real cause and come up with a solution.
Residential Pool Repair Services in Dallas
Weber Pools is a certified pool operator in Dallas, providing commercial and residential clients with a range of services that make pool maintenance easy and hassle-free. Our cleaning and repair services make sure that your pool stays sanitized and safe for your family all year.
Get a quote on our cleaning and repair services by filling out our online form.