The ultimate FAQ on swimming pool problems: causes and solutions
A swimming pool is a wonderful way to cool off on hot days or to swim a few quiet laps. But alongside all that water fun, a swimming pool also requires proper maintenance. And that’s exactly what we’re often asked about. That’s why we’ve compiled the most frequently asked questions about swimming pools for you: from green or cloudy water to skin irritations and everything in between. Dive into our comprehensive guide below and discover how to keep your swimming pool clean, clear and ready for swimming!
Table of contents:
• My pool water has turned green!• My pool water looks cloudy!
• My pool water looks brown!
• There’s a lot of dirt in my pool!
• I suffer from itchy eyes, irritated skin or a chlorine allergy!
• Can I fill my swimming pool with rainwater?
• Rain on the way? Cover your swimming pool!
I’m having trouble with green swimming pool water!
Green swimming pool water is one of the most common problems, particularly during hot summer periods or after a holiday when the pool has been neglected for a while.
The cause is usually an imbalance in the water. When there is too little chlorine (or an alternative disinfectant) in the pool, algae are given free rein and the water can quickly turn green.
Before adding extra chlorine, it is important not only to measure the chlorine level but also to check the pH level. Is the pH too high (above 7.6)? If so, the chlorine will be less effective and its ability to control algae will be limited. Warm temperatures and plenty of sunlight also create ideal conditions for algae growth.
A lesser-known cause of green swimming pool water is an excessively high cyanuric acid level. Do you use stabilised or organic chlorine? If so, you are automatically adding cyanuric acid to the water. This has an advantage: it protects the chlorine from being broken down by UV rays, meaning it remains active for longer and you need to top it up less often.
However, over time, the cyanuric acid level can rise too high (above 70 ppm). The chlorine then becomes less effective at disinfecting the water. The result: despite having sufficient chlorine, you may still end up with green or cloudy water.
Is an excessively high cyanuric acid level the cause? If so, it is advisable to top up part of the pool water. You can also temporarily switch to unstabilised chlorine to prevent the cyanuric acid level from rising further.
My pool water looks cloudy!
As well as green pool water, milky or cloudy water doesn’t look very inviting for a refreshing dip either. Intense swimming, sun cream, dirt from outside and warm temperatures can all affect the clarity of your pool water.
Fortunately, there are several causes that are easy to spot and fix.
• An imbalance in the water chemistry
The main cause of cloudy swimming pool water is an imbalance in the water chemistry. When the water parameters are not correct, bacteria and dirt particles are more likely to build up. You should therefore first check the key water parameters using test strips and adjust them where necessary.
The ideal swimming pool parameters:
- alkalinity: 80-120 ppm (mg/l)
- pH: 7,2-7,4
- free chlorine: 1-3 ppm (mg/l)
All these swimming pool parameters are interlinked and important for ensuring that the water functions properly. For example, a good level of alkalinity is important for a stable pH level, which in turn is essential for the chlorine to work effectively.
• A malfunctioning filter pump
The filter pump is essential for cleaning the swimming pool water. It ensures that dirt particles, dust and other contaminants are removed from the water. However, to continue operating efficiently, the pump must be serviced regularly.
How do I maintain my swimming pool pump?
Maintenance of the filter pump depends on the type of pump:
- Sand filter pump:
With a sand filter pump, you need to carry out a backwash regularly. This flushes the dirt out of the filter sand. You do this via the selection menu on the pump, and it’s done in a matter of minutes.
During the swimming season, we recommend doing this weekly or fortnightly. Have you noticed that the pressure on the gauge is rising or that the water flow is decreasing? If so, it’s definitely time for a backwash.
- Cartridge filter pump:
A cartridge filter works using a filter cartridge that removes dirt from the water. Rinse it thoroughly and regularly with a garden hose to remove any accumulated dirt. For an extra thorough clean, you can soak the cartridge in a bucket of filter cleaner.
With intensive use, it may be necessary to replace the cartridge more frequently. Proper maintenance extends its lifespan and ensures that your pool water remains clear.
You can read more about this in our FAQs on swimming pool pumps
A filter pump must run for a sufficient number of hours to ensure that all the pool water is circulated and filtered regularly. Particularly in hot weather, after a busy day of swimming, or when the water starts to become cloudy, extra filtering time can help to restore the water’s clarity.
• Use a flocculant and clarifier
As well as proper maintenance, water treatment products can also help to make your swimming pool crystal-clear again. So these handy products are definitely worth keeping in stock!
- A flocculant binds small particles of dirt together to form larger particles, making them easier to trap in the filter or to be sucked up by a pool vacuum cleaner.
- A clarifier, on the other hand, helps to remove fine suspended particles from the water and can provide a quick solution for slightly cloudy swimming pool water. Waterboost works wonders on cloudy water and is therefore our absolute top pick!
My swimming pool water looks brown!
The brown colour in your swimming pool is often caused by metal particles getting into the water. This happens quite often when you use groundwater to fill your pool. Groundwater naturally contains more minerals and metals, which can cause a yellow-brown or rust-coloured tinge.
When you then add chlorine, these metals can oxidise. This results in a yellow, brown or rust-coloured discolouration. It may look as though the water is dirty, but it is often simply a case of undissolved metals becoming visible. This is a surprising result, as you would naturally expect chlorine to ensure clear and fresh water.
What can you do if your pool water is brown or yellow?
• In this case too, the first thing to do is to check the water parameters (alkalinity, pH and chlorine) and adjust them as necessary.
• Run the filter pump for a sufficiently long time to ensure the water circulates properly and the metal particles can be filtered out of the water.
• If necessary, use a flocculant or metal remover. A flocculant helps to bind small particles together, making them easier for the filter to trap.
• Keep a particularly close eye on your filter and clean it more frequently. During this treatment, the filter has to process more debris, which can quickly build up: therefore, rinse cartridge filters more often and carry out a backwash more frequently if you have a sand filter pump.
I’ve got floating debris in my swimming pool!
After a few swims, it’s quite normal for small particles of debris to end up in the water, such as blades of grass, insects, pollen, dust or traces of sun cream. Fortunately, this is easy to deal with.
A flocculant helps to bind these fine particles together into larger flocs. This makes it easier for the filter system to trap them or for you to remove them using a pool vacuum or pool cleaner.
Flocculant is available in various forms: as a liquid or in handy flocculant bags that you place directly into the skimmer. This keeps your pool water clear and clean.
My eyes itch or my skin gets irritated after swimming!
Don’t worry – even if you’re sensitive to chlorine or have a chlorine allergy, you can still enjoy a refreshing dip.
• Liquid chlorine alternatives
With Famiflora Always Blue or BSI Poolsan, you can keep your swimming pool water clean without using traditional chlorine. This means you won’t suffer from itchy eyes or the strong smell of chlorine.
An additional benefit is their flocculating effect. Organic contaminants, such as sun cream, skin oils and other fine particles of dirt, are aggregated into larger flocs. This makes it easier to filter out the dirt or remove it with a pool vacuum cleaner.
• Saltwater system
You can also choose to maintain your swimming pool using a saltwater system. This is not a replacement for a filter pump, but an additional step. Through electrolysis, this system converts pool salt into natural chlorine, thereby killing algae, mould and bacteria. This allows you to enjoy a clean swimming pool without the use of chemical chlorine.
Make no mistake: a salt-water system is not entirely chlorine-free. This is because it naturally produces chlorine from salt. Would you like to know more about this?
Be sure to read our FAQ on saltwater systems!
Can I use rainwater for the swimming pool?
Rainwater is the cheapest option for filling your swimming pool. Although tap water is a better choice, you can also use rainwater to fill or top up your swimming pool. But you’ll need to keep a close eye on the water quality! Rainwater is acidic (low pH) and contains a lot of bacteria, pollen, sand and other particles that can contaminate your swimming pool. You’ll therefore almost always need to adjust the pH using a pH-raising agent.
The ideal swimming pool parameters:
- alkalinity: 80-120 ppm (mg/l)
- pH: 7,2-7,4
- free chlorine: 1-3 ppm (mg/l)
If the levels differ from those shown above, it is important to adjust them in that order. Then let the filter pump run for a sufficient length of time to clean the water and ensure that the maintenance products are thoroughly mixed.
Rain on the way? Cover your swimming pool!
A rain shower may seem harmless and even refreshing on hot days! But it can affect the water quality of your swimming pool. Rainwater can disrupt the water balance, causing the pH level and other water parameters to change. Is rain forecast? Then you’d be wise to cover your pool. What’s more, this also protects the water from additional contamination by leaves, insects or dust.
After a heavy downpour, it’s a good idea to check the pH level and adjust it if necessary. You can do this using pH up or pH down, available in liquid or powder form. Also, let your filter pump run for a little longer to get the water circulating properly again and keep it clear.
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