Pool water is a delicate matter and so many influences can change water. Sunlight, limescale, environmental contamination or incorrect cleaning all contribute greatly to how the water behaves. We've listed some of the most common contaminants and problems we see again and again. At the same time, we have developed measures to achieve the water values that pool water should have.
Cloudy or milky water
Possible Cause:
• too many organic pollutants in the water
• too little disinfectant supplied
• disturbed filter function
Suggested solution:
• Measure and adjust pH value
• Carry out shock chlorination
• Place flocculation cartridge in skimmer
• Backwash, empty skimmer basket and pre-filter basket
• Clean the filter if necessary
Cloudy or milky water - Pool walls are rough
Possible Cause:
• The pH value was too high, resulting in limescale precipitation
Suggested solution:
• Measure and adjust pH value
• Brush limescale mechanically from the floor and walls then remove it with a vacuum cleaner
• or drain the water and treat the pool with acidic cleaner
Prevent limescale:
• Add hardness stabilizer
Green, cloudy water - the floor and walls become slippery
Possible Cause:
• Algae growth (usually after thunderstorms)
• too little algaecide in the water
• Water contains phosphate (algae food)
Suggested solution:
• Measure and adjust pH value
• Remove algae mechanically from floors and walls:
• Brush, swirl and vacuum, and then backwash or clean the filter
• Carry out shock chlorination
• Let the circulation pump run for 24 hours
• Place flocculation cartridge in skimmer
Prevent algae:
• Apply double amount of algicide
• regularly
Green to brown water or lint/mucus colonies
Possible Cause:
• pH value too high, disinfectants cannot work properly
• too little disinfectant supplied
• Too little algaecide applied
• Filter too small
• Filter sand heavily contaminated
• Filter running time too short
• too much dirt in the water
Suggested solution:
• Measure and adjust pH value
• Clean and backwash filter
• Filter 3 whole days
• Carry out shock chlorination
• Apply algaecide
• Place flocculation cartridge in skimmer
Dark, blackish clouds in the water
Possible Cause:
• Heat exchanger defective
• Heating water presses into the swimming pool circuit
Suggested solution:
• Shut off or replace the heat exchanger
Water foams
Possible Cause:
• highly foaming algicide in the water (surfactants)
• Detergent in the water
• Residues of winterizing agent in the water
• pH value much too high
• Air in the circulation system
Suggested solution:
• Measure and adjust pH value
• longer backwashing – fresh water supply
Prevention measures:
• Use foam-free algaecide
• do not use household cleaners
Too many insects in the water
Oil film on the water surface
Suggested solution:
• Apply double amount of algicide
• Treat the border with algaecide solution
(1 part algicide and 3 parts water)
Bubbles
Possible Cause:
• Leaking pipe system
• Pump draws in air – pump cover leaks
• Water level too low – air enters the circulation system via skimmers
Suggested solution:
• Pay attention to intake noises
• Check seals and ball valves
• Check level controller
Oil film on the water surface
Possible Cause:
• too much personal care product in the water
• Pump seal defective
Suggested solution:
• Check swimming pool pump
• Place Styrofoam in the swimming pool water
Fine sand in the pool water
Possible Cause:
• unwashed filter sand filled into filter
• Filter star or piping in the filter is defective
• Filter sand used up – needs to be replaced
• Drifting sand, usually after thunderstorms
Suggested solution:
• Filter constantly for 1 – 2 days
• If the problem is not resolved, the filter must be checked
Possible Cause:
• pH value incorrect and corrected too late
• Flocculant not retained in the filter
• Filter pressure too high
• Filter too small
• no drainage or poor flow
Flocculants in the pool water - white flakes on the pool floor
Suggested solution:
• Check and backwash filter
• Turn off the pump
• Vacuum out lint
• Let the filter run constantly
• If necessary, use less flocculant
• withdraw more water via the floor drain