When the pool water turns whitish or milky, this is not normal. It is therefore essential to find the cause, knowing that the water can take on this color for different reasons. Once the problem has been identified, all that remains is to apply the appropriate solution in order to restore clear and healthy pool water. Let’s see together why bathing water can become cloudy, what to do to stop the problem but also to prevent it from happening again.
Whitish or milky pool water: a solution for every cause
When bathing water loses its clarity to the point that the basin bottom is barely visible, the swimming pool loses all its appeal. We don’t really want to dive into it anymore and we have to admit that the whole aquatic area is no longer as aesthetic as before. It is important toact without delay, because the pool water does not turn whitish / milky for no reason. Analyzes are necessary to know the origin of this turbidity. There are different solutions, each responding to a very specific problem.
pH imbalance (Hydrogen potential)
The pH should always be between 7.2 and 7.6. If it is lower or higher than this standard, we speak of an imbalance. This may cause a water turbidity, that is to say that it becomes cloudy. The only solution is to use a swimming pool pH corrector product through which it is easy to find a ideal rate. Depending on the test results, we use:
- Either a pH Plus (to increase the rate): the product must be diluted and then poured into the skimmer.
- Either a pH Minus (to lower the rate): it must be deposited over the entire surface of the water, but the quantity should be adapted to the depth of the pool since it is not the same everywhere.
When the pH is really very low or very high, it is necessary to use a corrector over several days. On the other hand, do not increase the dosage hoping to obtain a faster result because it is useless. This product acts when the dosage is right, and new tests show that the return to a normal pH is gradual. Note also that a pH corrector for the swimming pool can be marketed in powder or under liquid form. You should only resort to this second solution if you have a automatic pH regulator. If this is not the case, it is absolutely necessary to opt for powder.
Dead algae cloud the pool water
It can be seen that the pool water becomes whitish or milky after shock chlorination. This is somewhat logical since this treatment leads to the destruction of many algae. These then float in the water, giving it this more or less cloudy appearance. In this case, there is only one solution to quickly solve the problem, namely:
- Start by pass the landing net in order to recover the majority of the algae,
- Check that the filtration system is activated and works correctly,
- Pour directly into the water a pool clarifying product scrupulously following the supplier’s instructions in terms of dosage, action time, precautions, etc.
After such treatment, the water in the swimming pool becomes completely crystalline.
Poor pool water filtration
It only takes one filtration system malfunction or simply a filter clogging by an accumulation of debris so that the pool water becomes milky. This whitish coloring is then due to the scale particles. There are two solutions to find clear water:
- First check if the filtered is in good condition using a manometer, a device that measures pressure. This increases abnormally when the filter is clogged. It must therefore be cleaned and then used a flocculant to eliminate all the limescale particles.
- If the filter is clean, then check the entire filtration system. Do not hesitate to ask the swimming pool specialist to carry out a diagnosis and also to analyze the condition of the pump. A part may be defective. It must therefore be replaced.
To quickly remedy a problem that makes the pool water milky, you should not seek a solution in a haphazard way because trial and error may aggravate the situation. If you feel unable to find the right solution yourself, it is wiser to quickly contact an expert in swimming pool.
Excess particles make pool water cloudy or milky
The tiny particles are sometimes in such large numbers that they cause turbidity in the water. There is only one solution to find water of great clarity: use a flocculant. This product is essential in case of whitish or milky water.
Ce chemical processwhich is called the flocculationconsists of the agglomeration of all the microscopic particles between them. Then form, in contact with the flocculant, larger particles which logically fall to the bottom of the basin. It is then possible to eliminate them with the broom-vacuum or the pool robot. A large part of these particles can also be sucked up by the buses located at the bottom of the basin.
To avoid being faced with a swimming pool whose water is whitish / milky, it is essential to check regularly the pH level, but also the good condition of the various equipment such as the pump, the filtration system, the filter cartridges which must be replaced as soon as necessary. Must also clean your swimming pool as frequently as possible. But in the vast majority of cases, it is the excess of limestone that is the cause. A regular tartar control is therefore essential to prevent this problem since the use of a anti limestone enough to fix it. This prevents deposits from invading the pool.