HOW TO TELL IF YOUR POOL HAS A SERIOUS PROBLEM

A swimming pool is a great asset to have in your home that can provide years of enjoyment. It fosters a fun environment of happy kids soaking up rays, splashing around and is a great way to take full advantage of the summer. However, keeping a pool in tip-top shape can be quite a hassle if you do not have the right source of support and the necessary chemicals that are required to maintain cleanliness and beauty of your pool. Swimming pools contain hundreds of gallons of water where the chemical balance must be maintained to a narrow ideal margin, and if it’s not carefully monitored, it can turn ugly fast. We’ve listed out a few examples of “swimming pools gone bad” and can help you identify when there is a minor problem you can fix yourself versus a major problem that would require professional help.

CLOUDINESS

Although there are many causes of cloudiness, the main one is too much pH in the water. This reduces the effectiveness of chlorine or whichever other sanitizer you use in your pool. Cloudiness may also be indicative of the onset of algae growth in the pool. Cloudiness can also be caused by a higher than ideal level of dissolved solids in the water. Accurate testing by a professional will reveal the exact solids present and the best way of dealing with them.

Suntan oil, perspiration, and other swimmers’ waste can also lead to cloudiness in the water. A proper analysis will help to know what to use to restore water clarity.

GREEN WATER

The ideal color of water in your pool is blue. If the water appears to turn green, there is something wrong with your pool. Green color indicates the growth of green algae. This is one of the most common algae affecting pools especially in warm humid environments. The green color is also accompanied by murkiness of the water. Green algae are caused by an inadequate amount of sanitizer. Poor water circulation also contributes to its rapid buildup.

BLUE GREEN ALGAE

This form of algae is also called black algae because it manifests as black spots on the sides and bottom of the pool. Black algae are rather stubborn and killing it requires time and persistence. It requires thorough scrubbing in addition to chemical treatment to eradicate completely.

ODORS

A musty odor emanating from your pool is another indication of algae that has had time to grow. It could also be a sign of bacteria activity in the water. The odor is a tell-tale sign that the water needs a shock treatment since it shows widespread growth.

A chlorine odor is indicative of higher than recommended chlorine levels. It is caused by free chlorine molecules combining with various swimmers wastes such as body oils, hair oils, and perspiration. Readjustment of the chlorine level will help solve this problem.

A mildew odor is caused by mildew that grows in areas where water or moisture is stagnant. It may be found is hidden crevices and under manhole covers around the pool area.

FOAMING

The overuse of algaecides can cause the water to foam. Foaming can also be caused by the excessive buildup of contaminants. Foaming is an undesirable outcome that makes the pool look back.

SCALES

Scales on the pool surfaces and piping are caused by a buildup of calcium carbonate which is formed as a remnant of precipitating water from the pool.Other reasons that cause calcium to remain suspended in the water include a high pH level and a higher than average concentration of calcium in the water due to calcium hardness.

STAINS

The stains form mainly on the walls but also on the floor of the pool. They are caused by metals precipitating out of the water in the pool.This can come about as a result of either chlorinating or shocking products which cause the metals to oxidize. It is also possible that your water source contains too much metal.

NEED FOR REGULAR WATER TOP UP

If your pool is in constant need of being refilled with fresh water, there is a problem. The most likely cause of this is a leakage. Before taking any steps to rectifying a leak, it is important to find out where it is coming from. Leaks on the plumbing are usually easy to detect by a casual visual inspection. If the leak is caused by a crack in the walls or floor of the pool, it may be difficult for you to find it. It will be best if you get a professional to troubleshoot for you.

Apart from the problems that arise out of structural failure of the pool, all the others are related to the chemical balance of the water, so it may be possible to sort out any of the issues by using the right chemicals in their correct proportions (of course, scrubbing and proper usage of the pumps and filters will help keep the pool running optimally).

If you live in the Southeast Houston area and are in need of professional pool cleaning service, contact us and we can offer a free quote to get your pool back in tip-top shape for the summer.