ABC Blog

Why Do I Have Foamy Pool Water?

foamy pool water

Foamy water is good when you’re relaxing in your bathtub. But it’s not something you want to see in your pool. Foamy pool water can happen overnight, which can alarm homeowners who want to take a morning dip. Normally, foam comes from phosphates that have gotten into the water. Unlike bath bubbles, pool foam is dense and doesn’t pop when you touch it. That’s because it’s organic material, not air.

The organic material oversaturates the water, explaining why it won’t dissolve. That results in a cloudy-looking pool. You don’t have to worry too much because it won’t harm you. But it does make your pool look less than desirable, and your swimming experience won’t be as enjoyable.

There are some methods you can try to fix this issue, but it’s best to contact pool technicians. They will clear up your foamy pool water so you can return to your swimming routine.

Why Is … Read Full Post »

My Pool Is Still Green After Shock and Algaecide

A pool with green water

Nothing is more refreshing than taking a dip on a blistering hot day. But the excitement can turn to frustration when you see that your swimming pool has turned green overnight. It can happen for various reasons, but algae are the most likely culprit. The best thing you can do is to shock the pool or use an algaecide. However, it can remain green even after these treatments. Let’s go through some possible reasons for this issue and what you can do to prevent it from happening again.

Why Pools Turn Green

It can be a puzzling experience when your pool turns green seemingly overnight, but it is likely due to a chemical imbalance. Here are some explanations behind the mysterious change in your pool’s color.

Algae Overgrowth

Algae is the most probable reason for your pool’s green hue. These organisms are usually kept in check by proper chemical balance, transitions to colder weather … Read Full Post »

How To Get Rid of Algae in Your Pool

green algae in a pool

Algae can grow in your pool overnight. If you’re lucky, it may only be a green film on the surface. Even that requires several steps to clear properly. If you’re not so lucky, you may be in for a lot more of a challenge to reclaim your hideaway.

Algae are plants. They don’t have much in common with land plants except that they use photosynthesis. Multi-cellular forms of algae are known as seaweed. The algae that invade your pool are single-cell forms. One of the problems with the algae in your pool is they sometimes harbor bacteria.

Algae are everywhere. They can travel by wind, colonizing any water they happen to land in. They can also fall in raindrops. Algae also cling to objects, so swimsuits, pool toys, and even your dog can bring algae from a swimming hole (or a mud puddle) straight to your pool. Algae from the ocean or … Read Full Post »

Why Does My Pool Pump Have Low Pressure?

pool pump

Your pool pump is an important part of your pool’s filtration system. When it is not working properly, your pool can become dirty and unsanitary. The most common pool pump issues are when the pressure is too high or low. 

There are several reasons why your pool pump is experiencing low pressure, and it is usually due to a blockage on the suction side of the pump.

Homeowners often ask what their pool pump pressure should be, and the answer is that it varies depending on your pump model and pool. However, it is easy to determine when the pressure is too high or low and solve the problem with normal pool maintenance. 

Lastly, it’s important to run your pool pump often enough to keep your pool clean. How often to run a pump depends on the type of pump you own. Keep reading for everything you need to know about your pool … Read Full Post »

Why Is My Pool Pump Leaking From the Top?

a pool pump leaking from the top

“Why is my pool pump leaking from the top?” This is a question many homeowners with pools ask certified pool professionals when they find their pool pump is leaking. Discovering a leak in your pool pump can be frustrating, but these leaks are actually very common.

Pool pumps have many different components, including a motor and housing as well as various gaskets, clamps and o-rings. If any of these parts breaks or wears out, it can cause a leak. Having too little water in your pool can also lead to a leak, since it can allow air into the pump. Of course, low water levels in the pool can also be the result of a pump leak, not the cause of it. In these cases, it can be helpful to learn your pool’s evaporation rate.

Whatever is causing the leak needs to be fixed as soon as possible. Some pump leaks can … Read Full Post »

Why Do I Have Mustard Algae in My Pool?

a pool with mustard algae growth

Summer is almost here, which means it is time to enjoy some sun in your backyard. However, if your pool water is cloudy, you may need to think twice before jumping in. The yellow-brown substance covering your pool may not be dirt or sand but mustard algae.

While it may not seem like a big deal, mustard algae in your pool can create a major headache for homeowners. It is particularly challenging for homeowners living in the warmest areas of the United States. Yet this menace can show up anywhere.

Yellow algae, another name for mustard algae, is bad for the water quality in your pool. Too much algae can lead to unhealthy levels of deadly bacteria like E. coli in your pool.

Spotting yellow algae does not need to spoil your summer, but you need to act fast to deal with this issue. If you have questions like how to clean algae … Read Full Post »

Your Guide to Popular Pool Resurfacing Options

a backyard pool

If you have lived in the area for long, you know that summer and even late spring can range from warm to scorching hot. When the mercury rises, it can be difficult to even imagine spending time outdoors unless it involves a way to cool off. That is where a backyard pool can be a lifesaver. The idea of jumping into the cooling water of your very own pool is a dream come true.

Of course, pools are not only essential in such a warm climate, they also serve as a beautiful focal point for your yard. Additionally, they can increase your home’s value should you ever be in the market to sell. But like everything else related to a home, pools come with their fair share—or more—of work. Not only keeping leaves out of the water and maintaining the proper chemical balance. The surface of your pool likely will eventually … Read Full Post »

How to Winterize Your Home and Yard

a home after a winter storm

Winter is here, and even in a place with milder temperatures, preparing your home and lawn for whatever Mother Nature throws your way can give you and your family peace of mind. Since it’s hard to tell when a more serious freeze or winter storm will pop up, it’s important to get your home prepared early. No matter what comes your way, there are critical steps you can take to be ready.

Heating System

If your heater smells when you turn it on for the first time of the season, that’s a good reminder of the importance of having your HVAC serviced before temperatures dip. Fall is a good time to contact a licensed professional for a tune-up on your heating system. Just as a service call in the spring gets you ready for the blistering summer, a check before winter helps your entire HVAC system run more efficiently. A unit that … Read Full Post »

There’s Black Algae in My Pool: What Can I Do?

black algae in a pool

Having a pool at home is an amazing way to enjoy your backyard, entertain guests and cool off. Unfortunately, the environment around swimming pools also provides a breeding ground for the kinds of guests you don’t want, such as algae. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to get rid of algae and keep it from coming back to your pool in the future.

One of the most frustrating invaders in swimming pools is black algae. This type of algae is also known as blue-green algae. Despite its name, black algae is actually a type of bacteria that looks like black or dark blue-green mold. Not only can black algae make your pool look dirty and uninviting, but it can also be dangerous for anyone who gets in your pool. Swimming in or accidentally drinking pool water that’s infected with black algae can lead to serious health issues like liver damage.

The … Read Full Post »

What Is My Pool’s Evaporation Rate?

a pool with low water levels which leads a homeowner to wonder what their pool evaporation rate is

Pools generally lose about a quarter of an inch of water every day due to evaporation. That said, the evaporation rate depends on several circumstances in your local environment. This means that even under typical conditions, your pool could lose thousands of gallons of water each year from evaporation.

The easiest thing to do is check an evaporation rate map for your area, such as the one made by the National Weather Service. However, if you want to estimate the specific evaporation rate in your pool, you can also measure it.

Using a tape measure or ruler, measure the distance between the surface of your pool water and the top of the pool deck. Wait a week to let the water evaporate and then measure this same distance between the water and pool deck again.

Subtract the first measurement from this second measurement to get a value for how much the water level … Read Full Post »