Pool Water Chemical Troubleshooting Guide
Most small water and surface problems with your pool can be handled by you without the need for involving expensive specialists. Below is a guide for troubleshooting an clearing up most common pool water issues. To start, always make sure that your pool water is properly balanced prior to the addition of any chemicals.
Problem | Description | Possible Cause | Solution |
---|---|---|---|
Algae And Other Growths | |||
Green Algae | Murky, green water possibly some growth |
Low Sanitizer Poor Maintenance Improper Water Balance Poor Circulation |
Shock Treatment Algaecide Clean the Filter Check the System |
Black Algae | Rough, black spots on the bottom of the pool that brushes off with effort |
Low Sanitizer Poor Maintenance Improper Water Balance Poor Circulation |
Algaecide Brushing Clean the Filter Check the System |
Mustard Algae |
Yellowish-gold growth that easily brushes away Yellowish-green water |
Low Sanitizer Poor Maintenance Improper Water Balance Poor Circulation |
Brush Algaecide |
Pink Slime | Pink, slimy bacterial growth that brushes off easily |
Low Sanitizer Poor Maintenance Improper Water Balance Poor Circulation |
Brushing Algaecide Clean the Filter Check the System |
Water Mold | White mucous or tissue paper-like substance |
Low Sanitizer Poor Maintenance Improper Water Balance Poor Circulation |
Shock Treatment & Algaecide Clean the Filter Check the System |
Animals & Insects | Water bugs, ducks, dogs, frogs, etc taking a dip in the pool | Environmental |
Shock Treatment (to kill organic elements) Algaecide |
Chlorine Demand | Unable to maintain the free chlorine level or cannot break the high combined chlorine |
Foreign Environmental Contaminants Poor Maintenance | Shock Treatment |
Cloudy Water |
Hazy or Extremely Cloudy Water Difficulty Seeing the Pool Bottom |
Poor Filtration & Circulation Chloramines or Low Santizer Poor Water Balance Particulate Matter |
Check the pump and filter Clean and run the pump continuously Shock treatment Balance the water Crystal Bright and Filter Cleaner & Degreaser |
Discolored Water | |||
Grey, Clear Green or Turquoise Water | Copper |
Equipment Corrosion Outside Contamination Fill Water Use of Copper Algaecide |
Metal Out Algaecide |
Coffee Brown or Purple Water | Manganese |
Equipment corrosion Outside contamination Fill water |
Super Floc Vacuum out waste Add Metal Out |
Reddish-Brown or Rust | Iron |
Outside contamination Fill water |
Super Floc Vacuum Out Water Add Metal Out |
Filtration Problems | Clogging Filter or Short Filter Runs |
Dirty filter Media not cleaned Improper amount of filter media Water Balance |
Replace Filter Media Clean with Filter Media |
Odor & Eye Irritation | Pool Has a Sharp, Irritating Odor |
Chloramines Swimmer Waste, Oils and Organic Wastes | Shock Treatment |
Surface Problems | |||
Scale Build Up |
Sandpaper-Like Buildup on the Surface Grayish or Tan Coloration That is Difficult to Brush Away | Improper Water Balance – High TA (Total Alkalinity) pH and/or CH (Calcium Hardness) |
Metal Out or Stain Out Balance Water Acid Wash |
Etching | Pitting of Plaster Surfaces | Improper Water Balance – High TA (Total Alkalinity) pH and/or CH (Calcium Hardness) |
Balance Water Replace the Plaster Surface |
Liner Wrinkling | Wrinkles in a Vinyl Liner | Improper Water Balance – High TA (Total Alkalinity) pH and/or CH (Calcium Hardness) |
Replace Water Replace the Liner if Necessary |
Bleaching | Pale to White, Spotty Discoloration on the Surface | Improper Chemical Addition |
Replace the Liner if Necessary Repaint the Surface Pre-Dissolve Dry Substances Before Addition |
Staining | Black, Green, Turquoise or Brown Spots on the Bottom that do Not Brush Up |
Metal Stains Fungus Under the Liner Tannic Acids Stains (Leaves and Debris) |
Metal Stains Fungus Under the Liner Tannic Acid Stains (Leaves and Debris) |
Testing Problems | |||
Reagent Bleaching | Color of Test Fades to Clear | High Chlorine or Bromine Levels | Add up to 5 Drops of a Chlorine Neutralizer |
Reagent Discoloration | Reagent Color is Different Than it Should Be – (ex: the pH Test Turns Purple or the DPD Test Turns Brown |
High Chlorine or Bromine Levels Old Reagents |
Let the Chlorine Levels Come Down Then Retest Replace Reagents |
Other Problems | |||
Foaming | Bubbles on the Pool Surface |
Excessive Algaecide Foreign Substance |
Defoamer Determine the Source and Partially Drain if Necessary Use Algaecide |
Green Hair | Blonde Hair Turns Green After Swimming | Copper |
Metal Out lemon Juice of Vinegar in the Hair to Remove the Color |
Rain | Rain Washes Debris into the Pool and Raises the Water Level, Increasing the Demand for Sanitizer | Environmental |
Rebalance the Water After Circulating for 24 Hours Shock the Pool |
Water Loss | Noticeable Difference in Water Level |
Less than 1/2″ Daily: Evaporation 1/2″ to 1″ Daily: Active User Load Over 1″ Daily: Possible Leak |
Solar Cover for the First 2 Levels of Water Loss Professional Assistance for Anything Over 1″ Daily |
Want To Save Money Running Your Pool This Year?
Check Out Our HydroJet Solar Pool Pumps