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Declouding Your Swimming Pool After a Storm

As a pool owner, lots of summer days are spent lounging by the pool. Unfortunately, summer weather can be unpredictable and a day at the pool can be ruined by a storm. After the storm has passed, you might come back to find that your pool water is cloudy. A great number of contaminants including acidic rain, pollen, leaves and other debris could play a factor in why your crystal clear pool water has turned murky after the storm. If your swimming pool water is cloudy, do not worry, the experts at LinerWorld have a few simple solutions for declouding your swimming pool after a storm.

The best thing you can do as a pool owner is stay informed on weather conditions. Prevent your swimming pool water from turning cloudy by covering the pool before a storm hits. Although covering your pool before a storm is ideal, you might not always be able to do so. Follow these four steps to get your pool back up and running after a storm hits:

Step 1: Remove Debris from your Swimming Pool

The first step you should take towards declouding your pool water is cleaning any leaves, sticks, or other debris. Keeping your pool clean from debris will make it easier to restore the clear water. Clean pool water also ensures that your swimmers stay safe. Contaminants in the water can be harmful to humans, so always make sure to remove dirt and debris before allowing your loved ones to jump in.

Step 2: Check the Pool’s Water Level

In many cases, a rain storm shouldn’t affect your swimming pool’s water level drastically. Though, in rare cases a storm sweeps through that could throw off the water level in your pool. It is important to check your water level to ensure your pool is operating to its full potential.

At LinerWorld we recommend that your water level hits about half or three-quarters of the way up your pool skimmer. You will want to keep your pool at a proper level to avoid possible problems. A few different things can occur from an improper water level:

High Water Level Problems:

● Skimmer will not be able to trap debris floating by.
● Small waves in the pool could cause water to splash over the edge and into unwanted areas.

Low Water Level Problems:

● Skimmer will not be able to trap debris floating by.
● The pump could start sucking air instead of water, causing a gurgling sound to occur.
● Continuous air entering your swimming pool pump can shorten its lifespan and cause quicker burn out.
● Air entering the pump system could cause it to lose prime and it may need to be restarted.

Checking your water level may seem like a simple and unimportant task but it is crucial to ensure your swimming pool is running efficiently.

Step 3: Test your Pool Water for Proper pH, Alkalinity, and Calcium Hardness

A strong rainfall may dilute the chemicals in your swimming pool which is why it is important to thoroughly check these after a storm. Many individuals are under the impression that rainwater is clean, when in fact it isn’t. Rain picks up various particles from the air which can affect a pool’s pH level.

In general, LinerWorld recommends keeping your swimming pool at the levels outlined below:

pH: Between 7.2 and 7.8. Too low of a pH level can cause irritation whereas too high of pH can cause calcium deposits to form.

Alkalinity: Between 80 and 120 ppm (parts per million). If the level is too high or low it could cause problems with water clarity and chemistry or cause irritation for those swimming in the pool.

Calcium Hardness: Between 200 and 400 ppm. Keeping the proper level prevents scaling buildup and reduces the chances of corrosion in your plumbing equipment.

Step 4: Run the Pump and Filter Your Water

After completing all the steps, it is time to run your pool pump and filter your water. This will allow water to turn over and come out clear. Depending on what type of pool filter you are using, the amount of time you need to run it may vary. If you are using a Diatomaceous Earth (DE) filter, this process could take only a few hours. With a cartridge filter, expect to run your filter for double the time of a DE filter. Sand filters will take the longest of the three, expect to run your filter for multiple days.

Although cloudy pool water can be a headache, the steps to clearing it are simple. In no time, you will be enjoying your backyard oasis once again. To prevent your pool water from getting cloudy and other tips on preparing your pool for a storm, visit LinerWorld’s storm resources.