Even the most experienced pool owners who have a clear understanding of what it takes to maintain optimal water chemistry, how to test chemicals, and how to make correct chemical adjustments will experience pool water problems from time-to-time. There are simply too many variables, some of which you cannot control, that can deter optimal water chemistry and therefore its clarity if conditions are favorable. During these times, regardless of your tenure as a pool owner, you must be able to troubleshoot the various pool chemicals and water conditions so that you can understand the root of the problem and then start the proper remedy to re-gain water chemistry and clarity.
As a pool owner, here is what you must be able to troubleshoot concerning pool chemicals and water chemistry:
- algae
- cloudy water
- murky cloudy water
- hazy cloudy water
- milky white cloudy water
- discolored water
- green (but clear) discolored water
- brown (but clear) discolored water
- blackish-gray (but clear) discolored water
- stains
- scale
- build-up at the waterline (surface) of the pool
- foam
- eye and skin irritation
- musty odor
- excessive sanitizer use with no change to water clarity
- sanitizer-lock
- consistently high pH levels
- dramatically fluctuating pH levels
- excessive overall chemical use
- an unexplained tint to the color of the water
- the chemicals are good but the water is still uclear
While the list may look intimidating, with a cheat-sheet you'll have all of the information you need to remedy any water problem to be able to re-gain water chemistry and clarity and get back into that clean, clear, and inviting pool.
You can read the Pool Manual for additional information about how to troubleshoot pool water problems and also use the cheat-sheet in the form of a detailed Pool Chemical Troubleshooting Chart.