How to Clear Up Cloudy Water

How to Clear Up Cloudy Water

Cloudy pool water does not scream "jump on in!", plus it can introduce bacteria and damage the pool. Here's what you can do to clear up cloudy water and avoid expensive repairs and illness.

Sometimes, cloudiness can occur overnight. Why?

1. Low Sanitizer Levels

Not enough chlorine, bromine, or other types of sanitizers can result in bacteria growth and more filter stress. There are many reasons why you could have low sanitizer levels:

• Natural debris such as leaves use up the sanitizer before it has a chance to do its job.
• Sweat, sunscreen, beauty products, makeup and urine deplete chlorine levels.
• The sun's UV rays break down sanitizing hypochlorite ions so that they evaporate into the air.

When your chemicals are too busy attacking leaves, they're not attacking what they should be attacking: hazardous pathogens and bacteria, such as E. coli.

2. Filtration Issues

Issues with your pool's circulation system can cause cloudy pool water, which you can prevent by maintaining a healthy circulation system. Check that your:

• Filter isn't clogged.
• Pump isn't on its way out.
• Filter media (sand, DE, cartridge) doesn't need replacement.
• Filtration system is running for at least eight to 12 hours per day.

Your pool circulation system simply gets old after a while, or it can suffer damage from incorrect chemical levels or simple neglect. When the filter isn't able to remove contaminants, cloudy pool water results.

3. Poor Water Chemistry

High pH and alkalinity creates scale in your pool's plumbing system and on pool surfaces, making it harder for your sanitizer to work properly. The inevitable result is a filtration problem, bacteria growth, and cloudy water.

Also, when chlorine levels are off, you may have too many chloramines in your water, which is a byproduct of chlorine sanitizing. These can irritate and corrode your pool.

Steps to Clearing Up Cloudy Pool Water

Here's how you can clear up your cloudy pool.

1. Do a Deep Clean

Scrub the pool and remove large debris with a skimmer, brushing the walls well with a pool brush and then vacuuming.

2. Shock the Pool at Night

Shocking your pool will eliminate cloudiness caused by algae, bacteria, and organic contaminants. Doing this at night will give you the best results.

3. Run the Filter

Make sure you're running the filter at least eight hours per day, but clean it before you use it, after shocking the pool to ensure clean water distribution.

4. Use Bottom Drains

The main skimmer sits at your pool's surface, which means it can't get at the debris that settles on the bottom. Switch on the bottom drains of your pool to push that sediment right to your filter.

5. Balance Water Chemistry

Test and adjust chemicals as needed, using chlorine stabilizer to protect chlorine levels.

6. Floc the Pool

If the cloudiness isn't that bad, use floc, which will make all the debris sink to the bottom. Vacuum it out, top off the water, and then balance your water.

7. Use Clarifier

Do this weekly as a preventive measure. This works by coagulating debris so it's easier for the filter to catch.

How Long Does it Take For a Cloudy Pool to Clear?

Usually it takes just two to three days for the water to clear, but you have to run your filter 24/7, maintain balanced water chemistry and add the right amount of clarifier until clear.

Clearing up your pool doesn't have to take a Herculean effort. But we understand it can be a pain to troubleshoot these issues every time you see cloudy water. Plus, it can get expensive with all the chemicals, not to mention the time commitment. But that's OK: let Central Jersey Pools take care of your cloudy water. We'll have it clear in no time!