Examining the Color of Your Pool’s Water
After a hot, sweaty summer day, you want to treat yourself to a refreshing dip in your luxury swimming pool. Just as you prepare to dive in, you notice something weird. Your pool’s beautiful blue water transformed into a sickly shade, which instantly kills any intention you had of taking a dip.
Understanding how the color of your pool’s water changes remains critical in diagnosing water conditions that can make swimming unpleasant or unsafe. A color change can indicate situations that may cause costly damage to your pool liner. While a color change in pool water will not drastically harm swimmers, few people feel enticed to dive in. By pinpointing the probable causes for discolored water, you can determine when you will need professional pool cleaning services to resolve the issue.
What Causes Pool Water to Change Colors?
There are several reasons why the water in your pool can change colors. The surrounding foliage can cause the water to become cloudy if filtration systems are turned off or if large parcels of debris clog the filter. Similarly, skin, hair, makeup, or sunscreen products can cause a film on the pool’s service if not properly filtered. Below are some telltale reasons why specific color hues will appear in your swimming pool. Fear not because the experienced service team at Shoreline Pools can restore your pool’s beautiful appearance.
Cloudy Pool Water
Filtration and pump issues are common culprits for cloudy water. When pool filters clog or break, pathogens and organic matter circulate the pool, causing debris buildups. If you own a larger in-ground pool, you will want to invest in an effective filter to support proper cleaning. Chemical imbalances, such as improper pH, alkalinity, and high calcium hardness, can also influence the clarity of your pool water.
A cloudy hue in your pool’s water typically arises after being chemically shocked. But your luxury swimming pool may require professional maintenance when cloudy water fails to clear up. Shoreline Pools’ weekly service plans can preemptively prevent water discoloration while the emergency maintenance service fixes problems in two hours or less before any serious issues arise.
Green Pool Water
Green water reveals the presence of algae lurking in your pool. Sure, you may not worry if you spot a small trace of algae, but it can rapidly multiply in warm summer conditions or if chlorine levels drop, even in one day. Chemical shock treatments or algaecide supplements are often done in shady conditions to ensure that unstable chlorine particles do not burn in the sun. You can gauge the algae levels in your pool by examining how saturated the green hue appears.
A lighter green shade signifies lower algae levels, whereas a green color connotes medium algae levels. You may need professional pool draining and cleaning services if your pool is a shade of black or deep green, which makes it difficult to see the pool floor. By contacting Shoreline Pools, you can ensure harmful algal blooms are not present; our dedicated team has years of pool cleaning experience and can restore your pool’s pristine appearance in no time.
Brown, Orange, & Black Pool Water
Brown pool water often suggests the presence of metals (most commonly iron) oxidizing. Just as rust may manifest on a piece of steel after exposure to moisture and oxygen, the presence of iron can turn pool water into an orange-brown color. This is a concern when using well water to fill an in-ground pool. While using well water proves cost-effective, the water sits deep in the ground for a long time. As a result, well water becomes more susceptible to traces of metals or minerals, such as silver or magnesium.
If pool water turns black, other heavy metals such as copper or manganese may be present. Homeowners should always test water taken from a well to see if it contains heavy metals or other contaminants. Testing for heavy metals before filling your pool with well water reveals what chemical treatments may be necessary and what kind of filtration system can treat water with high metal content. Exposure to toxic metals can cause severe sicknesses such as acute to chronic toxicity, liver damage, anemia, or kidney damage.
Even the most extensive test kits only test for copper and iron; therefore, sending a water sample to a laboratory will yield more comprehensive results. Chemical reaction tests and color tests, which are performed by Shoreline Pools Services, can offer more conclusive results to effectively treat water impurities.
Restore Your Pool’s Beautiful, Crystal-Clear Water
While cloudiness and an abnormal pool color can be frustrating, Shoreline Pools’ maintenance services can help you with any problems that arise. With over fifty years of experience, our on-call service team is at your disposal 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Boasting an impressive 11,000-square ft, fully stocked warehouse, you will never have to worry about waiting for chemicals or parts to be shipped to fix your problem.
Dial (203) 357-1544 or fill out an inquiry form on our website. Make sure to follow us on HOUZZ for unlimited backyard design inspiration.
