The swimming pool is a complicated system that requires balance. Insufficient water circulation, filtration, and having too many suspended particulates caused by foreign substances brought in by people using the pool contribute to this delicate balance tipping over. In a well-maintained pool, the balance can be restored by the system. A properly working pump, a perfectly functioning filtration system, and a lack of leaks from incoming and outgoing piping can restore the swimming pool to its balanced state. However, if you see the following signs, that is the time your pool needs major cleaning and a thorough system check. Once these signs persist for a few days, your swimming pool (click here) can be a health hazard.
Cloudy or Murky Water
You may expect cloudy water to appear temporarily after heavy rains. However, once it persists for a few more hours up to a day, it suggests that you have too many suspended particles in your pool. The immediate cause could be soil, and other particles washed into the pool. However, once this persists, you should look at insufficient water filtration and circulation as the root cause of the murkiness of your water. Moreover, this is also a sign of poor chemical balance as chlorine is not enough to counteract the suspended particles in your swimming pool.
Bad Chemical Balance
Once your instrument indicates that your alkalinity, pH, free chlorine and bromine levels, and calcium content are imbalanced, you may need to work immediately to bring it back in order. However, once the chemical balance persists, you may look at the other system components of your pool, such as your water circulation and filtration system, as these may not help maintain the delicate balance in your swimming pool.
Strong Chlorine Smell
Another indication of a bad chemical balance is a strong smell of chlorine. It may sound counterintuitive initially, but a strong smell of chlorine indicates that you may not have enough chlorine in your pool. The strong chlorine smell is caused by chloramine. The more the chlorine reacts to more suspended particles, the more chloramine is produced. Hence if the chlorine smell persists, you may need to clean your pool and check the entire system for issues.
Green Water
Also known as green pools, green water is caused by the uncontrollable growth of the green algae population in your pool water and surface. They grow and proliferate, especially on the plaster, cracks, and rougher surfaces at first, until they spread on smoother surfaces and in the water itself. It takes significant scrubbing and acid cleaning to get rid of the algae. Moreover, your entire pool system will need to be thoroughly checked to ensure a delicate balance can be maintained in your swimming pool.
Yellowish or Brownish Water
Like green pools, yellowish or brownish water is also caused by the unabated population growth of brown algae. Any discoloration is a sign that your chlorine is not enough to keep out the algae, and these creatures have found your swimming pool as a breeding ground.
Living Organisms in the Pool
Ideally, your swimming pool is a sterile environment. Once you see mosquito larvae, water beetles, and other insects in your pool, your swimming pool is a breeding ground for even more harmful organisms, most of which you can't see. Once you see living organisms in your pool, your swimming pool isn't safe to swim anymore.
Bubbles or Foam
Too much sunscreen, lotion, soap, body oils, and soil minerals cause the water tension on the pool's surface to become stronger. Hence, bubbles take longer than usual to pop. Once foams form, you may have a severe contamination problem that even chlorine can't counteract.
Takeaways: Call a Pool Professional If The Problem Persists
Experienced pool owners may counteract most of these signs by thoroughly checking their system and restoring the balance once they fix the most apparent issues, such as a poorly-working pump or filter clogs. However, if the problem persists, the situation has causes that are much more difficult to solve, requiring professionals to help you.