Would you believe there are over 10.7 million swimming pools in the United States, according to Pool Research? And 97% of those are privately owned residential pools! That means a lot of people in the US are enjoying the benefits of having a pool in their backyard. As marvelous as that is, owning a pool brings with it a host of potential issues that can cause owners grief. Juniper is here for you to sort a few of those most common issues out. Here we address three worrisome water care issues and how to fix them. We don’t want any pesky water care issues to interfere with your enjoyment of your backyard pool, so let’s get started.
1). Algae Water Care Issues
Algae growth is one of the most common water care issues to plague pool owners. If you notice that your pool has a greenish tinge it may mean that your pool’s chlorine levels are low. Poor filtration and other chemical imbalances can also be the culprit. At any rate, if you notice your pool water is looking green, it is important to act fast because algae multiply quickly and can become a real mess. Here’s what to do:
- Vacuum your pool.
- Brush your pool walls thoroughly, paying particular attention to corners and crevices.
- Test your pool water and get the chemicals balanced. If pH levels are off, your next step won’t be effective.
- Add pool shock. The proper dose will depend on the type of algae you have. This extra dose of chlorine should do the trick and eliminate any trace of algae.
- Run your filter for at least eight hours to clear any remaining algae particles from the water.
- Clean out your filter.
- Use an algaecide after all these steps and on a regular basis in the future as a preventative measure.
2). Cloudy Pool Water
There aren’t too many things more disappointing than discovering your previously crystal-clear blue pool water has turned cloudy. There is more than one reason that could occur. Let’s examine the most common situations and what to do about them.
- Improper filtration is the most common reason for cloudy pool water. Check the filter for clogs or buildup and backwash if necessary. Clean out your pump and skimmer baskets of any debris. Replace your filter medium if it’s been a few years since you did it last. Make sure you are running your pool filtration system 8-12 hours per day. Finally, if you have an older pool pump or filter, it may be time to replace them.
- Low chlorine levels can cause cloudy pool water. To rectify this water care issue, test and balance your free chlorine and combined chlorine levels and shock your pool.
- Poor water chemistry can cause a host of water care issues including cloudy water. Be in the habit of testing and balancing your pH, total alkalinity, and calcium levels.
- The easiest way to clear up a mild case of cloudy pool water is to use a pool clarifier. After cleaning your pool, checking the filter, running the filter for eight or more hours, and shocking the pool, you can add a clarifying agent. Clarifier makes floating minuscule particles clump together so they can be removed easily by the filter. You may need to run your filter 24/7 for a couple of days until the water is clear again.
3). Foamy Pool Water
Ugh, is there anything worse than seeing an ugly build-up of foam in your pool water? Foamy pool water is one of the water care issues that are easy to get rid of and even easier to prevent entirely. Pool foam often occurs after a party or other high-bather-load occasion. Organic material is left over from hair products, sun tan oil, deodorants, and lotions. When these organic particles meet up with the agitation caused by the pool’s return jets, foam is formed. How do you fix it?
- Use good quality chemicals and test and balance the water often.
- Shock the pool to eliminate pool foam.
- Having swimmers shower prior to entering the pool will prevent it in the first place.
We hope that addressing these three worrisome water care issues and how to fix them has been helpful. Juniper carries Poolife™ pool care products because we know they are effective in solving many water care issues quickly and efficiently. And with free in-store water testing, you can get exactly what you need for your water care woes. Our pool care specialists can advise you on just what products can sort out whatever water care issues you may be experiencing. In addition, Poolife also has a helpful website that offers more suggestions on common water problems and how to solve them.
