Swimming Pool Water Treatment - Troubleshooting
We have put together a general guide to help troubleshot water treatment issues within a swimming pool. Most common water problems are easily treatable for any individual pool owner.
Algae & Other Growths of Bacteria
GREEN ALGEA
Murky green water with possible growth
Possible Causes:
- Low sanitizer
- Poor maintenance
- Improper Water Balance
- Poor circulation
Suggested Solution:
- 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
Problem Causes:
- Low sanitizer
- Poor maintenance
- Improper Water Balance
- Poor circulation
Suggested Solution:
- Algaecide
- Brushing
- Clean the filter
- Check the system
MUSTARD ALGAE
Yellowish-gold growth that easily brushes away
Problem Causes:
- Low sanitizer
- Poor maintenance
- Improper Water Balance
- Poor circulation
Suggested Solution:
- Algaecide
- Brushing
PINK SLIME
Pink, slimy bacterial growth that brushes off easily
Problem Causes:
- Low sanitizer
- Poor maintenance
- Improper Water Balance
- Poor circulation
Suggested Solution:
- Algaecide
- Brushing
- Clean the filter
- Check the system
WATER MOLD
White mucous or tissue paper-like substance
Problem Causes:
- Low sanitizer
- Poor maintenance
- Improper Water Balance
- Poor circulation
Suggested Solution:
- Algaecide
- Shock Treatment
- Clean the filter
- Check the system
ANIMALS & INSECTS
Water bugs, ducks, dogs, frogs, etc. taking a dip in the pool
Problem Causes:
- Environmental
Suggested Solution:
- Algaecide
- Shock Treatment
CHLORINE DEMAND
Unable to maintain the free chlorine level
Problem Causes:
- Environmental
- Poor Maintenance
Suggested Solution:
- Algaecide
- Shock Treatment
CLOUDY WATER
Hazy & Cloudy Water
Problem Causes:
- Poor Filtration
- Low sanitizer
- Poor water balance
- Particlate Matter
Suggested Solution:
- Service Pump
- Clean & run pump
- Shock Treatment
- Balance water PH
- Filter cleaning
GREY, TURQUOISE WATER
Cooper active within water
Problem Causes:
- Equpment Corrosion
- Outside contamination
- Fill Water
- Use of copper algecide
Suggested Solution:
- Metal Out
- Algaecide
BROWN & PURPLE WATER
Manganese within the water
Problem Causes:
- Equpment Corrosion
- Outside contamination
- Fill Water
Suggested Solution:
- Vacuum Waste Out
- Add metal out
- Super Floc's
RED & ORANGE WATER
Iron within Water
Problem Causes:
- Outside contamination
- Fill Water
Suggested Solution:
- Vacuum Waste Out
- Add metal out
- Super Floc's
FILTRATION ISSUE
Clogging filter or short run time on filter
Problem Causes:
- Dirty Filter
- Media not cleaned / changed
- Improper amount of filter media
- Water balance
Suggested Solution:
- Replace filter media
- Clean with filter cleaners
ODOR & SKIN / EYE IRRITATION
Pool has strong odor
Problem Causes:
- Seimmer waste, oils & organic waste
- Chloramines
Suggested Solution:
- Shock Treatment
SCLAE BUILD UP
Grey coloration that is difficult to remove when brushing
Problem Causes:
- Improper water balance
- High Total Alkanlity
- High Calcium Hardness
Suggested Solution:
- Metal Out
- Stain Out
- Balance Water
- Acid Wash
LINER WRINKLING
Wrinkles in a vinyl liner
Problem Causes:
- Improper water balance
- High Total Alkanlity
- High Calcium Hardness
Suggested Solution:
- Replace Liner
- Balance Water
BLEACHING
Pale to white spotting and discoloration on the surface of water
Problem Causes:
- Improper chemical additon
Suggested Solution:
- Replace Liner
- Repaint the surfaces
- Predissolve dry substances before addition
STAINING
Black, green spots that can not be removed with brushing
Problem Causes:
- Metal Stains
- Fungus under liner
- Tannic acid
- Stains from leaves
Suggested Solution:
- Pull up liner and clean from the underside
- Shock the water
REAGENT BLEACHING
Colour of test fades to clear
Problem Causes:
- High Chlorine or bromine levels
Suggested Solution:
- Pull up liner and clean from the underside
- Add chlorine OR shock
REAGENT DISCOLORATION
Reagent colour is different than it should be - for example the pH test turns purple or the DPD turns brown
Problem Causes:
- High chlorine or bromine levels
- Old reagents
Suggested Solution:
- Let the chlore level come back down then retest
- Replace reagents
FOAMING
Bubble on the pool surface
Problem Causes:
- Excessive algaecide
- Foreign substance
Suggested Solution:
- Defoamer
- Determine the source and partially drain if necessary
- Use algaecide
GREEN HAIR
Blonde hair turns green after bathing
Problem Causes:
- Cooper
Suggested Solution:
- Metal Out
- Lemon Juice / vinegar in the hair to remove the colour
RAIN
Rain washes debris into the pool and raises the water level, increasing the sanitizer demand
Problem Causes:
- Environmental
Suggested Solution:
- Rebalance the water
- Shook the pool
WATER LOSS
Noticeable difference in water level
Problem Causes:
- Less than 1/2" daily - evaporation
- 1/2" to 1" - active bather load
- Over 1" daily - possible leak
Suggested Solution:
- Solar cover for the first two levels of water loss
- Professional assistane for anything over 1" daily
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