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Saturday, November 21, 2009

Swimming Pool Water Chemistry

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Troubleshooting Guide
- Pool
- Spa

Troubleshooting Guide

Here's a quick troubleshooting guide to a variety of problems you may face with your pool and spa water. You can use this reference to help identify and solve common problems. But, as always, don't hesitate to check with your local pool/spa retailer, supplier or service technician for any help you need bringing your water back in line. The next section explains the pool and spa trouble shooting.

Pool

Problems	Possible Causes	Solutions
Algae growth	Low sanitizer levels	Shock the water. Brush the pool walls. Run the filter for a 24-hour period to increase distribution of sanitizer. Add an algaecide.
Cloudy water	High calcium hardness levels High total alkalinity levels High pH levels High TDS levels Algae growth Low sanitizer levels Rain High swimmer load Pets	Test all chemical levels and make the appropriate adjustments.
Colored water	For green or blue green\|high pH levels For brown to red\|overall water imbalance	For green or blue green\|Test the pH level and make the appropriate adjustments. For brown to red\|Test pH, total alkalinity and calcium hardness levels. If necessary, drain all or part of the water and refill with fresh water.
Corrosion	Low pH levels Low total alkalinity levels	Test pH and total alkalinity levels, make appropriate adjustments and consult a professional service technician or your pool supply store for more information.
Etched plaster	Low pH levels Low total alkalinity levels	Test pH and total alkalinity levels, appropriate adjustments and consult a professional service technician or your pool supply store for more information
pH bounce	Low total alkalinity levels	Test total alkalinity levels and make the appropriate adjustments.
pH resistance	High total alkalinity levels	Test total alkalinity levels and make the appropriate adjustments
Poor sanitizer efficiency	High pH levels High total alkalinity levels	Test pH and total alkalinity levels and make the appropriate adjustments.
Scale formation	High pH levels High total alkalinity levels High TDS levels High calcium hardness levels	Test pH and total alkalinity levels and make the appropriate adjustments. If necessary, have a pool professional drain the pool, scrub down the walls and refill with fresh water.
Skin and eye irritation	Low or high pH levels Low or high total alkalinity levels Low sanitizer levels	Test pH and total alkalinity levels and make the appropriate adjustments. Sanitizer levels and, if extremely low, shock the pool water.
Stains	Low pH levels Low total alkalinity levels High TDS levels	Test pH and total levels and make the appropriate adjustments. If necessary, have a professional drain the pool, scrub down the walls and refill with fresh water. Consult with a professional service technician or a pool retailer for more information.

Spa

Problems	Possible Causes	Solutions
Algae growth	Low sanitizer levels	Shock the water. Brush the spa walls. Run the filter for a 24-hour period to increase distribution of sanitizer. Add an algaecide
Cloudy water	High calcium hardness levels High total alkalinity levels High pH levels High TDS levels Algae growth Low sanitizer levels Rain High swimmer load Pets	Test all chemical levels and make the appropriate adjustments.
Colored water	For green or blue green\|high pH levels For brown to red\|overall water imbalance	For green or blue green\|test the pH level and make the appropriate adjustments. For brown to red\|Test pH, total alkalinity and calcium hardness levels. If necessary, drain all or part of the water and refill with fresh water.
Corrosion	Low pH levels Low total alkalinity levels	Test pH and total alkalinity levels, make appropriate adjustments and consult a professional service technician or your spa supply store for more information.
Etched plaster	Low pH levels Low total alkalinity levels	Test pH and total alkalinity levels, make appropriate adjustments and consult a professional service technician or your spa supply store for more information.
Foaming	A buildup of organic dirt, soaps, shampoos and oils	Drain and clean the spa and spa filter.
pH bounce	Low total alkalinity levels	Test total alkalinity levels and make the appropriate adjustments.
pH resistance	High total alkalinity levels	Test total alkalinity levels and make the appropriate adjustments.
Poor sanitizer efficiency	High pH levels High total alkalinity levels	Test pH and total alkalinity levels and make the appropriate adjustments.
Scale formation	High pH levels High total alkalinity levels High TDS levels High calcium hardness levels	Test pH and total alkalinity levels and make the appropriate adjustments. If necessary, drain the spa, scrub down the walls and refill with fresh water.
Skin and eye irritation	Low or high pH levels Low or high total alkalinity levels Low sanitizer levels	Test pH and total alkalinity levels and make the appropriate adjustments. Test sanitizer levels and, if extremely low, shock the spa water.
Stains	Low pH levels Low total alkalinity levels High TDS levels	Test pH and total alkalinity levels and make the appropriate adjustments. If necessary, drain the spa, scrub down the walls and refill with fresh water. Consult with a professional service technician or a spa retailer for more information.