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Top Troubleshooting QUESTIONS
8. What causes cloudy water and how do I clear it up?
Cloudy water is one of the most common pool problems and can be caused by a number of factors. It can be a symptom of inadequate filtration, pH imbalance, or inadequate chlorine levels. The cure depends on the cause. Look below for a breakdown:
Inadequate filtration
Failure to run the filter long enough, insufficient or inconsistent backwashing, or a dirty/ worn filter are the first potential causes to consider. Solutions can include:
- Checking the filter for worn or broken parts and replacing.
- Checking operating instructions and increasing filter running time to an 8-hour daily minimum.
- Backwashing your filter until a clear stream of water flows.
- Cleaning a dirty filter with Aqua Chem Filter Cleaner.
- Adding a clarifier to gather smaller particles into larger masses that can be filtered out of the water.
pH imbalance
If filtration is not the problem, pH is the next likely cause. pH is the single most important aspect of pool maintenance. When pH rises above 7.6, calcium precipitates out of the water in the form of scale or suspended particles that can cloud the water. The solution is to add Aqua Chem pH Decreaser according to label directions to achieve a pH level of 7.2 – 7.6.
Although not the same as pH, proper total alkalinity does help stabilize pH. If your total alkalinity is too low, the pH level will be very sensitive and may suffer drastic swings. A high alkalinity level, in addition to contributing to cloudy water and scaling, can keep your pH rigidly fixed.
Here are proper total alkalinity levels according to pool type:
- Plaster 80 – 125 ppm
- Gunite 80 – 125 ppm
- Concrete 80 – 125 ppm
- Vinyl 125 – 150 ppm
- Fiberglass 125 – 150 ppm
- Painted 125 – 150 ppm
Chlorine level deficiencies
Failure to maintain adequate free available chlorine levels and to shock regularly can also cause cloudy water. When chlorine levels are too low, algae and other microbes multiply freely, creating an organic haze. The solution could be to increase the amount of sanitizer being delivered to the pool to maintain a free available chlorine residual of 1.0 - 3.0 ppm to shock the pool according to label directions. Do not use the pool until the chlorine level is between 1.0 - 3.0 ppm.
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