Why Is My Swimming Pool Water Foamy?

Is your pool water looking a little…foamy?

Although pool foam is often not a huge safety concern, it can create a less-than-favorable environment to swim in. Many describe foamy pool water as thick, which is exactly what it is. In this article, we’re going to take a closer look at some of the main causes of foamy pool water, how to prevent it and how to get rid of it.

Causes

As mentioned above, foamy pool water often feels quite thick, which is exactly what causes it. The thickness of the water creates bubbles – and lots of them.

Causes of pool foam can include:

• Hair and body care products, such as shampoo, gel, hairspray, and soap
• Body lotion, deodorant and make-up
• Laundry soap and detergents
• Algaecide
• Cheap water care products
• Overuse of water care products

If you have recently used an algaecide, treated your pool water or had people swimming in your pool, that may have been the trigger that caused your pool foam.

Prevention

The best way to avoid foamy pool water is to prevent it.

Rinse Off Before Swimming

Have family members and guests shower before using the pool to remove any make-up, soap or lotion. You may want to encourage them to rinse off while wearing their bathing suit, to avoid bringing any laundry detergents from their suit into the water. If your backyard permits, why not consider installing an outdoor shower? This simple backyard addition can make it much easier for swimmers to rinse off before and after swimming, to avoid tracking pool water through the house.

Use the Right Algaecide

When purchasing an algaecide, splurge for the higher-quality product that is labelled as “non-foaming”. Not only will this help to protect your pool water against foam, but it will also help to ensure that you’re using the best-quality product for the job.

Perform Regular Pool Maintenance

Cleaning and treating your pool water regularly will help to maintain the levels and ensure that it is balanced. To really improve the quality of your pool, get in touch with All Florida Pool & Spa Center and learn more about pool service, maintenance and cleaning in Miami.

Treatment

If the foam in your pool is caused by a low-quality algaecide, time is your best treatment. Simply give it a few days and the foam should clear up on its own. If not, you may want to consider consulting a Miami swimming pool service company for help, such as All Florida Pool & Spa Center.

If you suspect that your pool foam is the result of impurities in the water, use test strips to get a better idea of your water levels, pH and alkalinity. As a general rule of thumb, you should aim to maintain a pH of 7.4 to 7.6 and alkalinity of 100 to 150 ppm. If your levels are off, add water care products to balance the water as needed.

Shocking the pool with chlorine or a non-chlorine shock may do the trick. We suggest adding the suggested amount at dusk and allowing your pool to run overnight.

If in a few days your pool water still appears foamy, it’s time for an anti-foam chemical. You should be able to purchase this at your local swimming pool store. If this doesn’t work, it’s time to contact a pool cleaning service company.

All Florida Pool & Spa Center

Are you looking for pool cleaning service in Miami? Get in touch with our experts at All Florida Pool & Spa Center today. Not only do we offer pool cleaning, but our swimming pool service includes regular inspections, chemical distribution, component repair, and everything in between.