Swimming Pool Troubleshooting Series: Deterring The Discolouration
We all know how inviting a fresh, clear blue swimming pool is. It conjures up images of relaxation and fun, reminding us of how the crystal blue oceans look on exotic, untouched islands. But when it comes to having a pool in your garden you might be finding it tricky to keep that inviting colour for your pool unless you undertake a swimming pool maintenance routine.
There are a variety of things which could be impacting the colour and water quality of your pool, but in this month’s guide we’ll take a look at water discolouration and what can be done through swimming pool cleaning to tackle each individual kind of issue.
Grey/Clear Green/Turquoise
The first thing to know about discolouration is that there could be several different reasons for the change in colour. If you notice that your water appears to have a clear green or turquoise colour to it then it is an indication of copper being present in your water. Copper can get into your pool water in several ways, the first is through the corrosion of copper sections of your system or, in rare circumstances, it could come from the water source.
The solution in this situation is to readjust the copper levels in your water, usually with the aid of a “metal out” product. Also, keep an eye on how much your algaecide solution is impacting the colouration of your pool water. Don’t forget that if your water has a heavy green look then it might be due to algae issues rather than the chemical balance of the water.
Coffee-Brown/Purple
A disturbing colour to appear in your pool, this is one you might not have expected to see. If you see a purple or coffee-brown colour appear in your pool then it could be due to high levels of manganese in the water. This can come from the internal workings of your pool or from a completely external source.
To get rid of this discolouration you should use a super floc which will take all particles to the bottom of your pool so that it can be vacuumed out. You can also add a metal out product to help stave off this issue in future.
Red/Brown/Rust
This particular discolouration of your water is not quite as startling as some others since we all know what colour rust comes up as, but it’s still not pleasant. As you may have already guessed, the colour you are seeing is the direct result of rust – most specifically relating to iron. Whether this comes from the rusting of some internal part of your pools system or from an outside source close to your pool, you’ll want to get rid of this discolouration. Rust occurs when the pH level of the water is too low and an oxidising agent is placed in the water, this combination affects the ferrous metal and causes the breakdown.
In order to get rid of this discolouration and avoid it staining the lining of your pool you should once again use super floc and vacuum out any particles. To avoid future rusting you might want to think about replacing old components made from materials which won’t rust.
Always use extreme caution when using chemicals and inspecting your pools internal system. If you don’t feel like you have the experience or knowledge to do these things safely then contact H2O Swimming Pools today, we can take care of all your swimming pool cleaning and maintenance needs. Keep a look our for next month’s post in which we’ll tackle surface problems.