Shasta Pool Maintenance Tip: What Causes a Cloudy Pool?

Crystal clear pools are the idyllic state for any body of water to be in, but from time to time pool owners may pull back the pool cover only to discover that their pool looks cloudy, hazy, or even murky.  Wondering what makes a pool cloudy and how to clear a cloudy pool fast?  Below are the top 3 reasons why you’re likely suffering from less than pristine waters, as well as a cloudy pool remedy to each:

Improper Water Balance

An improper balance of your chemical levels is almost always to blame for your cloudy pool problem.  Start off by checking the pH levels, which should be anywhere between 7.2 and 7.4.  Anything above or beyond that number can cause scale building, bacteria, and algae growth.

Poor Filtration

If the water balance checks out, then it may be likely that your filters just aren’t able to get rid of the muck and scum that are often behind what makes a pool cloudy.  Check your filters and clean them (or backwash them if a sand or D.E. filter) if necessary, repair or replace them.  If that doesn’t solve the problem, check the circulation and filtration system.  Is the flow from the filter returns strong enough to easily push your hand away?  If not, you may have a blockage somewhere in the system.  It’s important to note that your filter should be running at least 8 to 12 hours a day for the best filtration.

If you are adjusting the chemicals to help clear up the pool, you can run it for 24 hours or until the water clears up. If you have a variable speed motor, you can set it for a longer run 24 hours, which involves setting it to run on low speed after the high speed cleaning cycle, for the best overall filtration. This means after your high speed filtration cycle, you should set it on a lower speed for continuous filtration.

Early Algae Growth

If you haven’t been keeping up with the regular maintenance of your pool over winter, than you very likely may be experiencing some early algae growth.  The solution:  super-chlorination.  This should clear up the water and leave you with crystal clear pools.

When in doubt, scoop up a sample of your pool water and take it to sample of your pool water to a local pool chemical store, like Leslie’s, where they can test your pool water.  They’ll be happy to test the water and make recommendations on chemicals to assist you.

Shasta Pools is a Phoenix pool builder who provides a variety of services including swimming pool remodeling, commercial pool building, and pool service and repair. Since its establishment in 1967, Shasta has helped over 80,000 families realize their dream of pool ownership. By providing exceptional value, quality craftsmanship and superior customer service, the Shasta team continues to fulfill the corporate mission of astonishing and delighting their customers and exceeding expectations. You can learn more about Shasta Pools & Spas by visiting them online, or by connecting with them on Facebook or Twitter.