Tools

Tools

Do you have problem with cloudy water? Wondering why your pool smells funny? Take your pool from mean to clean with these great tools.

Troubleshooting Guide

This is a list of common problems that people have with maintaining swimming pools. Click on a symptom to reveal the cause(s) and the solution(s) that will help get your pool back on track.

Download this Troubleshooting Guide

We are constantly updating the tools here to make it easy and simple for you to diagnose your pool issues before they require a service call. If you don’t see something that you are looking for, please contact us or hit us up on Twitter.

  • There could be a number of causes…

    1. Dirty Filter

      Solution: Backwash filter or clean cartridge filters with filter cleaner. If problem persists a filter or sand change may be necessary. Please contact us for assistance.

    2. pH Level Too High

      Solution: Test pH and total alkalinity. Add pH down as directed. Adjust as required. (pH down could be muriatic acid or dry acid) Please contact us for ordering information.

    3. Free Chlorine Low

      Solution: Test for chlorine residual and adjust as needed. Pool may require a shock treatment, shock as directed by product labeling.

    4. Backwashing sand filter too frequently

      Solution: Backwash less frequently, only as recommended by filter manufacturers directions. Only backwash based on PSI and not on a timed schedule.

    5. Dissolved metals in Water

      Solution: Use a metal out to control metals in water such as Metal Klear or Revive, prevent staining and scale formation.

  • Cause: Green Algae

    Solution: Check chlorine level and raise level with shock if necessary, chlorine must be at 30ppm chlorine to effectively kill algae. Vacuum pool directly to waste. Use a clarifier once the water becomes milky color. Backwash daily until pool is clear. Use our request service page to have the necessary chemicals delivered right to your door!

  • Cause: Black Algae

    Solution: Use a Black Algaecide as directed. Put chlorine directly on affected areas. Brush daily until gone. If Algae does not get better in 3 days, repeat treatment.

  • Cause: Mustard Algae

    Use a filter cleanser to remove algae from your filter. Brush affected areas. Use an Algaecide specifically for Yellow Algae. Use a clarifier once the algae is dead to remove from water.

  • Cause: Iron or Maganese dissolved in water

    Solution: Use Revive to suspend and inactivate stain causing minerals.

  • Cause: Dissolved copper from fill water or corrosion of copper pipes or heater

    Solution: Use Metal remover such as Revive or Metal Klear. Test and adjust pH and total alkalinity.

  • There could be a couple of causes…

    1. Metals in water

      Solution: Use stain remover to remove stains. Follow treatment with Metal Klear.

    2. Unbalanced Water

      Solution: Make necessary pH and total alkalinity adjustments, low pH corrodes metal in pipes and equipment introducing metals to the water.

  • Cause: pH or total alkalinity too high Calcium content too high

    Solution: Correct with pH Down as directed. Dilute pool water with water of lower hardness.

  • There could be a couple of causes…

    1. combined chlorine level too high

      Solution: shock treat with Super Shock-It. Then test for free chlorine residual and adjust to maintain residual of 1-3ppm. To remove Combined Chlorine you must raise the total chlorine to 10 times the combined chlorine level.

    2. pH too low or too high

      Solution: Test pH and correct with pH up or pH down.

  • Cause: combined chlorine level too high

    Solution: shock treat with Super Shock-It. Then test for free chlorine residual and adjust to maintain residual of 1-3ppm. To remove Combined Chlorine you must raise the total chlorine to 10 times the combined chlorine level

  • Cause: Grease and oil from swimmers (high TDS)

    Solution: use and enzyme action Natural Klear or Natural Chemistry’s Pool 1st Aid to remove oils and lotions. Diluting the pool water may be necessary. Use our request service page to have the necessary chemicals delivered right to your door!