There’s nothing quite like getting the pool ready for a hot Adelaide weekend…only to find the water still looks milky after you’ve treated it.
You’ve added the chlorine…left the pump running…and expected things to clear up. Instead, it looks much the same the next morning. Before you add another round of chemicals, hold off for a moment. Cloudy pool water can have a few different causes and more chlorine isn’t necessarily going to fix the problem. Here’s what we’d look at first.
Check your water balance before adding anything else
Pool shock is useful when chlorine levels need a boost but it doesn’t correct every water problem. If your pH is too high, for instance, chlorine becomes less effective at doing its job.
Start with a proper water test. Check the pH and chlorine levels, along with other readings where needed, and work from there. Guessing can get expensive, especially when you’re buying products that aren’t addressing the actual issue. This is particularly worth remembering as the weather warms up and you’re using the pool more often.
Your filter might be the real problem
Sometimes the water chemistry is reasonably close to where it should be but the pool still won’t clear. That’s when the filtration system deserves a closer look.
Your filter catches the fine particles that make water look dull – from dust and debris to the little bits of dirt that seem to appear from nowhere. If the filter is dirty, blocked or not operating properly, those particles can keep circulating.
Check the pressure gauge and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning or backwashing. If the pressure keeps climbing or the water remains cloudy after cleaning, don’t assume another chemical treatment will sort it out.
Adelaide’s spring weather doesn’t help
Anyone who maintains a pool around Adelaide knows how quickly conditions can change. One windy afternoon can leave leaves, dust and other debris scattered across the water. Add pollen, sunscreen and a few extra swimmers and your pool has a fair bit to deal with.
As temperatures rise, you may also need to review how long your pump runs each day. The right schedule depends on your pool, equipment and how heavily it’s being used, so there’s no single setting that suits everyone.
Skimming the surface and emptying the baskets might feel like small jobs, but they help keep the system working properly.
Could you be using too many chemicals?
It’s an easy trap to fall into. The water looks cloudy, so you add a clarifier. It still looks cloudy, so you add more chlorine. Before long, you’ve spent money on several products without knowing what caused the problem in the first place.
Some products are useful in the right circumstances but they aren’t interchangeable and we recommend to always test the water first – follow label directions – never mix pool chemicals together. If the cloudiness keeps returning, check the calcium hardness as well. High calcium levels combined with an elevated pH can contribute to cloudy water and scale.
When it’s time to get your pool checked
If you’ve balanced the water and cleaned the filter but nothing seems to improve, there could be an equipment issue. A struggling pump, an ineffective filter or a problem with your chlorination system can all affect water quality.
At Adelaide Pool Mart, the team can help with pool water testing in Adelaide, chemicals, pool equipment and professional pool servicing. The aim isn’t to keep adding products until the pool looks clear, it’s to work out what’s causing the problem and fix it properly. That way, you can spend less time dealing with cloudy water and more time enjoying the pool when Adelaide’s hot weather finally arrives.
Contact us today at (08) 8431 9199 or visit our store at Shop 2, 443 Magill Rd, St Morris SA 5068. Let’s make your pool dreams come true.
