Interpreting the Color of Your Pool Water
It’s amazing how much you can learn about the health of your pool water by simply taking stock of its color and level of clarity. If you own a pool, you should regularly assess the quality of the water to catch issues that may cause severe damage if left untreated.
There are many reasons why your pool may change color. Some are pretty harmless, and others can spell trouble if not handled quickly. Understanding what your pool’s watercolor means is crucial as a pool owner. It can help you make treatment decisions that will ensure your pool is at its absolute best year-round.
Most Common Reasons for Changes in Water Color
- Shallow areas of a pool can sometimes appear lighter than deeper areas. The change in depth contributes to the differences.
- If your pool is exposed to the sun for long periods of time, the exposure can cause a change in its appearance.
- Algae can grow in your pool water, distorting its color and clarity.
- Hard metals present in your pool water will react with the chlorine, causing cloudiness and a noticeable change in color.
- Occasionally, organic matter from trees, grass, and other foliage can get into the water and distort the color. Be sure to keep your pool clear of debris or call a professional pool cleaner to rid your vents and pool floor of hard-to-remove debris.
- On rare occasions, the dye colors used to finish your pool’s surface may leak and cause discoloration of the water. If this happens, reach out to the contractor or installer for a solution.
What Does It Mean When Your Pool Water Is…
Cloudy – Cloudy pool water indicates a filtration issue. Cleaning your filter will remedy the issue. If you are not familiar with the process, you can always contact the professionals.
Purple – Purple water indicates that there is manganese or magnesium in the water. These minerals will have a reaction with the chlorine when added.
Green – If your pool water is green, it is a sign of copper in your water. Adding chlorine to the water where copper is present will cause it to oxidize, making the water appear a bright shade of green.
Brown – Iron in your pool water will make it appear a shade of reddish-brown. This is due to iron’s tendency to rust once it encounters water.
Black – If there is silver present in your pool water, it can make the water turn black once it begins to oxidize. This is caused by a reaction to chlorine and other added cleaning chemicals.
Here’s What You Should Do When Your Water Isn’t Blue
If you walk past your pool and notice that the water appears discolored or cloudy, the first thing you should do is check to see if you can spot any noticeable debris inside the water. If nothing is clearly visible, call the professionals.
Pools of Fun wants to make sure that our customers’ pools are properly inspected and cleaned on a regular basis, especially next spring when pool opening season begins once again. Contact us with any questions or consult with one of our 5 Pools of Fun Customer Care Locations.