Problematic Symptoms and Solutions

Chlorine smells

Symptoms:

Problem Cause:

Solution:

Bad “chlorine” smells next to the swimming pool.

Chlorine smells are caused by not enough free chlorine commonly known as available chlorine. The smell is caused by a build-up of chloramines (dead chlorine) as a result of free available chlorine reacting with ammonia and other nitrogen containing compounds. (swimmer waste, sweat, urine)

Destroy the “chloramines” by shock treating the swimming pool with chlorine.

Check pH – Adjust pH to 7.2 – 7.6

Sore eyes

“Superchlorinate” 3 – 5 times the normal recommended dose and add a water clarifier.

Check pH – Adjust pH to 7.2 – 7.6

Symptoms:

Problem Cause:

Solution:

Burning red eyes.

pH level is incorrect water i.e. being too acidic or too alkaline.

Test the swimming pool water and re-balance.

Adjust alkalinity levels accordingly.

Adjust pH to 7.2 – 7.6.

Adjust chlorine levels.

Combined chlorine (Chloramines) is the culprit causing your eyes to turn red.

Scaling

Symptoms:

Problem Cause:

Solution:

Scales developing on the pool surfaces.

Hard water

Reduce alkalinity levels.

Calcium comes from, rainwater passing through rocks such as chalk and limestone, a certain quantity of mineral salts such as Calcium and Magnesium Carbonate dissolve into it. These “hardness” salts are then carried into the mains and borehole water supply.

Swimming pool water becomes dull and cloudy.

Calcium precipitating (out of solution) into the water rather than onto a surface.

Reduce pH to make water acidic.

Chemicals contribute to this problem as well.

Drain some swimming pool water in pool and fill with new water.

Test and balance calcium levels.

Adjust pH to 7.2 – 7.6.

Cloudy Water

Symptoms:

Problem Cause:

Solution:

Dull, hazy water.

Early algae growth.

Backwash filter

Inadequate filtration time.

Swimming pool pump not running long enough, therefore poor filtration, fine matter in suspension in the water.

Check and see the swimming

pool filtration time is adequate.

Difficult to see the bottom of pool.

Dead algae are still present in the swimming pool water.

Add algaecide.

Cloudy milky water.

Over dosing of chlorine.

Adjust pH to 7.2 – 7.6,

pH levels incorrect.

Add liquid, gel or powder flocculent

Bather load is too high for the swimming pool size.

Reduce bather load.

Foaming Water

Symptoms:

Problem Cause:

Solution:

The water tends to be soapy, bubbly or foamy.

Too high a concentration of algaecide.

Allow algaecide to dissipate.

Excessive organic debris in water, (build-up of body oils, lotions, deodorants, and cosmetics).

Add chlorine to the swimming pool water.

Elevated levels of algaecide or a foaming algaecide in pool.

Adjust pH, total alkalinity, and free chlorine residual to proper ranges .

Foaming can also occur due to low calcium hardness levels.

Check calcium hardness levels.

Foaming can also be caused by a foreign contaminant such as soap or oil entering the pool.

Foam should dissipate over time, but the use of anti-foam will help clear the foam much more rapidly.

Backwash the filter thoroughly.

Algae

Green Algae

Symptoms:

Problem Cause:

Solution:

Water turning green or green areas on the pool surfaces.

Leaves and other organic debris in water.

Clean swimming pool of leaves or other debris as well as all baskets.

Algae growth can lead to slimy surfaces.

Insufficient free chlorine.

Shock dose (Super-Chlorinate) with chlorine.

Incorrect pH levels.

Have swimming pool water properly analysed. Balance the swimming pool water especially pH, alkalinity, and chlorine levels.

Too high or too low

Rain and excessive warm conditions can introduce algae to the swimming pool water.

Add the correct type of algaecide and correct dose to be determined by the size of swimming pool.

Brush walls of swimming pool.

Add flocculent to the swimming pool water to assist the filter to trap suspended spores.

Black Algae

Symptoms:

Problem Cause:

Solution:

Algae stains on the surface of pool.

Failing to clear or remove light algae infestation causes black algae.

Clean swimming pool of leaves or other debris as well as all baskets.

Black algae spots appear in the pool.

Black algae spots become more difficult to treat.

Add the correct amounts and type of algaecide.

Under sanitation.

Shock dose (Super-Chlorinate) with chlorine, to raise the free chlorine level.

Contaminated swimsuits or swimming pool equipment.

Add an algaecide dose to be determined by the size of the swimming pool.

Lack of proper water circulation and filtration

Vigorously brush the surface of swimming pool.

Swimming pool water out of balance

Have swimming pool water properly analysed. Balance the swimming pool water especially pH, alkalinity, and chlorine levels.

Add flocculent to the swimming pool water to assist filter to trap suspended dead spores.

Mustard Algae

Symptoms:

Problem Cause:

Solution:

Mustard algae have a yellow-green to brown, powdery appearance.

Under sanitation.

Add chlorine to the swimming pool water to raise the free chlorine levels.

Algae like stains appearing on the swimming pool surface.

Swimming pool water out of balance.

Have swimming pool water properly analysed. Balance the swimming pool water especially pH, alkalinity, and chlorine levels.

Lack of proper water circulation and filtration.

Add the correct algaecide.

Brush the affected areas vigorously to remove any of the algae.

Stains/Discolouration

Symptoms:

Problem Cause:

Solution:

Metals may be present in sufficient concentrations in the swimming pool water to cause problems of discolouration. They usually colour the water yellowish or brownish (without making it cloudy) and can stain the swimming pool surfaces.

Most commonly, it is introduced into the water in the form of a copper algaecide, or other swimming pool products.

It is necessary to act very quickly to prevent serious damage such as staining of the surface of the swimming pool.

Black stains on surface of pool.

High levels of dissolved metals in your pool water.

Add a metal remover into the swimming pool water.

Water from a borehole is used and the source may contain these metals.

Backwash filter thoroughly.

Metal objects in pool.

Remove metal objects from the swimming pool.

High alkalinity levels.

Adjust and balance alkalinity levels.

High pH levels

Adjust pH to 7.2 – 7.6

Municipal water, while usually well purified, may pick up the metals in the pipes (plumbing pipes before it reaches the pool).

Have swimming pool water properly analysed. Balance the swimming pool water especially pH, alkalinity, and chlorine levels

Water Neon Green

Symptoms:

Problem Cause:

Solution:

Pool water appears neon green in colour especially after adding non- stabilised chlorine.

High levels of copper in the swimming pool water.

Have swimming pool water properly analysed. Balance the swimming pool water especially pH, alkalinity, chlorine, and metal (copper and iron) levels.

Metals may be present in sufficient concentrations in the swimming pool water that they cause problems of discolouration. They usually colour the water yellowish or brownish (without making it cloudy) and can stain the swimming pool surfaces as well as the hair and nails of the swimmers.

Copper being introduced through certain chemicals in the market.

Adding a metal remover product.

Rain, tap water etc.

Water from a borehole may have been used, the source may contain high metals readings.

Backwash the filter

thoroughly and top up with fresh water.