Problem solving must always begin with balancing water chemistry
Staining can be on the walls, floors or steps of the pool surface. There are two main types of stains which are caused from either metals or organics.
Pool Staining
Chlorine Generator Scaling (Salt Pools)
Salt water pools require maintenance to keep the generator performing at optimum efficiency. The main problems salt water pools can have are:
- Scale build up on the generator
- Excessive amounts of acid being added
- Chlorine generator not operating efficiently due to phosphates
- Low CYA
- Excessive organic contamination
Chlorine Generator Scaling (Salt Pools)
Evaporation & Heat Loss
Swimming pools lose energy in a variety of ways such as ambient temperatures, humidity, wind speed, extremely dry conditions, etc; however, evaporation is by far the largest source of energy loss.
Evaporation & Heat Loss
High Phosphate Level
Problem solving must always begin with balancing water chemistry
High phosphate levels have been known to cause cloudy water. Phosphates are introduced into water by:
- Pool chemicals containing phosphonic acid & phosphonates which include most metal removers and sequestering agents
- Personal hygiene products
- Soaps & Detergents
- Plant debris
- Fill water
- Body fluids & waste
- Fertilizers
- Rainwater
- Soil
High Phosphate Level
Excessive Sanitizer Loss
Excessive sanitizer loss can be caused from many things, however, the most common are: unbalanced water chemistry, and low CYA (conditioner/stabilizer).
Excessive Sanitizer Loss
Water Discoloration
Water discoloration can be caused from metals and algae. When metals come out of solution but have not "stained" the pool surface it can cause the pool water to take on another color such as: pretty green, purple, brown, etc.
Water Discoloration
Waterline Rings
Many swimming pools eventually get a buildup of "waterline rings" which are caused from non-living organic contamination. Over time such things such as; sweat, lotions, oils, vegetation, soaps, etc. build up to cause waterline rings.
Waterline Rings
Skin and Eye Irritation
Skin and eye irritation from pool water can be caused by numerous things; however, the most common is unbalanced water chemistry and non-living organic contamination.
Skin and Eye Irritation
Cloudy Water
There are numerous conditions that can cause cloudy pool water, such as: algae, dead algae, small particles not getting trapped in the filter, poor circulation, heavy bather loads, excessive non-living organic contaminants, unbalanced water chemistry, and high calcium levels.
Cloudy Water
High Filter Pressure
High filter pressure can be caused by the following:
- Algae clogging the filter
- Too much PHOSfree added at one time (or added to a dirty filter)
- Not enough DE added when recharging the DE filter
- Dirty Filter
High Filter Pressure
Calcium (Scale)
Calcium Hardness is an important part of water chemistry. If Calcium Hardness is too low it can cause the water to become corrosive and can result in the etching of pool surfaces. High Calcium Hardness will result in scale formation on pool surfaces as well as in pipes, filter, etc. It can also cause cloudy water and eye and skin irritation.
Calcium (Scale)
Spa Staining
Staining in spas can be caused from metals and non-living organics. Metal staining can appear in color as: blue, green or black (copper), rusty brown or greenish/brown (iron). Non-living organic staining is usually brown in color.
Spa Staining
Spa Water Discoloration
Water discoloration may be caused by either metals or algae. Metals in the water can come out of solution, which in turn can cause water discoloration or staining.
Spa Water Discoloration
Spa Calcium (Scale)
Calcium Hardness is the measurement of calcium minerals in the water. The calcium hardness level in spas is an important part of water balance. If the Calcium Hardness level is low (soft water), it can corrode the heaters, damage the surface of the spa and contribute to foaming issues. If Calcium Hardness is too high (hard water), it can cause scale build up and cloudy water.
Spa Calcium (Scale)
Spa Excessive Foaming
Foaming is usually caused by a high organic load in the spa water. Organics are introduced to the spa by bathers from hair products, deodorants and lotions, laundry soap residue, etc. Another cause of foaming is from a high Total Dissolved Solids level. They only way to reduce your TDS level is by draining the spa.
Spa Excessive Foaming
Spa Odors
Odors can directly be caused from organic contamination. On average, a person contributes 16oz of organic waste in 45 minutes in a spa. Another cause of odors could be from improper water balance.
Spa Odors
Spa Skin and Eye Irritation
Skin and eye irritation may be caused from the following:
- Combined chlorine
- Excessive organic contamination
- Unbalanced water chemistry
Spa Skin and Eye Irritation
Cloudy Water in Spas
There are many issues that may contribute to cloudy water. Some of them include:
- Suspended insoluble particles
- High non-living organic load
- High phosphates
- Poor filtration
- Unbalanced water chemistry
Cloudy Water in Spas
- Pool Staining
- Chlorine Generator Scaling (Salt Pools)
- Evaporation & Heat Loss
- High Phosphate Level
- Excessive Sanitizer Loss
- Water Discoloration
- Waterline Rings
- Skin and Eye Irritation
- Cloudy Water
- High Filter Pressure
- Calcium (Scale)
- Spa Staining
- Spa Water Discoloration
- Spa Calcium (Scale)
- Spa Excessive Foaming
- Spa Odors
- Spa Skin and Eye Irritation
- Cloudy Water in Spas
