Cloudy Water

The Problem

Having trouble seeing the bottom of the pool because your pool water is too cloudy? Cloudiness is small particles in the water that are not removed by filtration or oxidation. The most common causes of cloudy water are poor filtration and/or circulation, buildup of organic contaminants, algae growth, high pH, high Total Alkalinity (TA), or a combination of these.

Recommended Solutions

Poor Filtration: Check filter operation and clean filter with hth® filter cleaner per label directions. Circulate the water at least 8 hours per day.

High pH or TA: Use hth® pH decreaser to lower pH and/or TA back to the recommended ranges.

Organic contaminants or early algae growth:

  1. Test the pH of the water.
  2. Adjust the pH into the range of 7.2-7.4 using either hth® pH increaser or hth® pH decreaser. Wait at least one hour.
  3. Shock treat the pool with an hth® shock product.

Preventative Maintenance

  • Shock treat the pool weekly.
  • Maintain TA in the range of 60 - 120 ppm.
  • Maintain pH in the range of 7.2 - 7.8.
  • Check and clean filter twice a year.

View "How To" Video

Green Water

The Problem

Algae in a pool can cause cloudy water, slippery pool surfaces on steps and ladders, pH rise, filter blockage and excessive chemical consumption. Algae can occur due to poor circulation, poor filtration, improper chemical maintenance, or poor housekeeping and environment. Algae do not cause disease, but their presence is not inviting to swimmers.

  • Green Algae - Tend to be free floating, making the water cloudy with a pea-green color.
  • Mustard Algae - Cling to walls, leaving the water clear unless they are physically disturbed. When brushed, mustard algae appears to be a fine brown powder.
  • Black Algae - Clings to walls are are very difficult to brush.

Recommended Solutions

  1. Adjust the pH into the range of 7.2-7.4 using hth® pH increaser or hth® pH decreaser. Wait at least one hour.
  2. Shock treat the pool with an hth® shock product.
  3. Brush pool walls thoroughly with an 18" curved wall brush.
  4. Run filter for at least 24 hours until water clears.
  5. Vacuum the pool.
  6. Backwash or clean the filter as appropriate.
  7. Add an hth® algaecide.

Preventative Maintenance

  • Maintain pH levels between 7.2 - 7.8.
  • Shock treat the pool weekly.
  • Use an hth® algaecide weekly.

View "How To" Video

Discolored water

The Problem

If your pool is green, black, purple, or brown, let us help transform this to a clear, sparkling blue. Possible causes of discolored water are algae growth or excess copper, manganese or iron. Don't let the color overwhelm you; it may be a simple fix.

Recommended Solutions

  • Green, cloudy water (algae growth): See the Algae section for more detailed instructions.
  • Clear, blue-green water (excess copper): Use hth® metal & stain defense according to label directions.
  • Dark green or brown water (excess iron): Use hth® metal & stain defense according to label directions.
  • Black or purple water (excess manganese): Use hth® metal & stain defense according to label directions.

Preventative Maintenance

  • Maintain balanced water.
  • Shock treat the pool weekly.
  • Use an hth® metal & stain defense.

View "How To" Video

Overstabilization

The Problem

Overstabilization is the buildup of cyanuric acid (CYA) in swimming pool water resulting from the use of stabilized sanitizers and stabilized shock products. It significantly decreases the effectiveness of chlorine in killing germs, bacteria and algae. While small levels of CYA do serve a purpose in protecting chlorine from sunlight degradation, too much can cause problems.

HTH Pool Care offers granular sanitizer and shock products that are non-stabilized -these are calcium hypochlorite (cal-hypo) products. Cal-hypo products do not contain stabilizer and will not cause overstabilization.

Common Side Effects:

  • Can make your pool water unsafe
  • Puts your family at risk
  • Causes algae growth
  • Makes chlorine less effective, decreasing its bacteria-killing power
  • Will reduce the life expectancy and integrity of your pool's plaster surfaces and cause costly repairs
  • Could require you to drain your pool and rebalance the water

 

Recommended Solutions

  1. Test the CYA level, this should be between 20 - 50ppm.Shock treat the pool with an hth® shock product.
  2. If the CYA level is >90ppm, adjust this by partially draining some water from the pool and topping up with fresh water. Run filter for at least 24 hours until water clears.
  3. Adjust the total alkalinity to 80 – 120ppm, the pH to 7.2 – 7.8 and the chlorine to 1 – 4ppm. Backwash or clean the filter as appropriate.
  4. Continue with routine pool maintenance program.

Note: Adjust dosages to suit your pool capacity.  Ensure pH and chlorine levels are within the corrected ranges before swimming.

Incorrect water test results

The Problem

While unbalanced water, algae, heavy rains, heavy bather use and other problems can cause sudden changes to test results, the problem might also be the kit or strips, water sampling technique, or testing methods.

Recommended Solutions

  • Check to see that the kit or strips are not out of date.
  • Be sure to follow label directions on how to do the test. Failure to use the correct procedure may cause errors in results.
  • Always let the water circulate at least 30 minutes to one hour prior to testing.
  • Take the water sample away from the skimmer or a return. Use the "elbow-deep" guide for taking the sample.

Preventative Maintenance

  • Do not use old or expired test kits or strips.
  • Keep test kits or strips out of the heat and direct sunlight.
  • Establish a routine for testing; day of the week, time of day, etc.
  • Be aware that heavy rains, heavy bather loads and other conditions can cause significant changes to water balance, sanitizer readings, etc.

View "How To" Video

Incorrect chlorine levels

The Problem

When people complain that a pool smells like it has too much chlorine, the problem could be too much Total Chlorine (TC) and not enough Free Available Chlorine (FAC).

If you've added sanitizer or shock and still can't get a reading, or your favorite swim suit shows signs of bleaching, the problem may be too much Free Available Chlorine (FAC).

Recommended Solutions

  • For high Total Chlorine (TC): Shock treat the pool using an hth® shock product. For additional help, contact one of our hth® pool care experts.
  • For high Free Available Chlorine (FAC): Stop adding chlorine. Allow the FAC levels to decrease to 1-4 ppm. For additional help contact one of our hth® pool care experts.

Preventative Maintenance

  • Verify pool volume and use the correct product dosage.
  • Test FAC and maintain 1-4 ppm.
  • Shock treat the pool weekly and after heavy rains or heavy bather loads.

View "How To" Video

Other problems: Stains, Scaling, Eye & Skin Irritation

Stains

The Problem

Iron, copper and manganese can cause green, brown and purple stains on pool surfaces. Leaves, sticks and other organic debris can cause brown stains on pool surfaces. If the stains are ignored they may become impossible to remove.

Recommended Solutions

  • Take action as soon as the stains are noticed.
  • Ensure water is properly balanced. Lower pH to 7.2-7.4.
  • Brush the stained areas daily for at least 5-7 minutes using an 18" curved wall brush.
  • Use hth® metal & stain defense according to label directions.
  • Organic stains will slowly disappear with the regular use of chlorine sanitizer and shock products.
  • Brush the stained areas to help remove the stain.

Scale

The Problem

Higher levels of calcium combined with high pH and/or high Total Alkalinity (TA) can cause scale buildup on pool surfaces. Scale is noted by the off-white, gray or tan color, rough texture and release of chalky dust when brushed.

Recommended Solutions

  • Check and adjust water balance. Adjust pH to the lower end of the range (7.2-7.4).
  • Use hth® metal & stain defense according to label directions.
  • Brush the scale areas at least daily. More frequent brushing will help speed up the removal of the scale.
  • If softer water is available, the Calcium Hardness (CH) level can be reduced by draining some of the water in the pool and replacing it with softer water.

Preventative Maintenance

  • Maintain water balance parameters at all times.
  • If the fill water already has high hardness, keep the pH and Total Alkalinity (TA) in the lower half of their respective ranges.
  • Add hth® metal & stain defense weekly.

Eye and Skin Irritation

The Problem

Do your eyes or skin feel irritation after leaving your pool or spa? It is possible that the pH is out of the desired range or that you have high combined chlorine, low FAC or low bromine.

Recommended Solutions

  • Adjust water balance as needed. Adjust the pH to 7.2-7.4 at least one hour before shocking.
  • Shock treat the pool with an hth® shock product according to label directions.

Preventative Maintenance

  • Maintain the FAC in the range of 1-4 ppm.
  • Shower before entering the pool.
  • Shock treat the pool weekly.
  • Maintain the pH in the proper range. Follow label directions on the sanitizer for specific pH range recommendations.

Foamy Water

The Problem

Foamy water can be caused by a buildup of organic contaminants like body oils, lotions and cosmetics. It can also be caused by low CH.

Recommended Solutions

Preventative Maintenance

Corrosion of Metal Parts, Damage to Pool Surfaces

The Problem

Corrosive water can damage metal components, cause stains or discolored water, pitting and erosion of plaster and concrete surfaces, and wrinkles in vinyl liners. Low pH is a primary factor in corrosive water, especially for metals and vinyl liners. But low TA and low CH also contribute to corrosive water, especially for plaster and concrete surfaces.

Recommended Solutions

Preventative Maintenance

  • Maintain proper water balance; pH, TA and CH.
  • Monitor pH daily.