You may notice a bit of foamy water around the water return jets and that is all right. If you’re looking at the pool water though and asking should the pool be foamy? Chances are there is more going on than bubbles from the jets. Foamy water is not what you want to see in your pool and it’s a reason to contact a swimming pool service pro from Tipton Pools in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Bubbles that don’t easily pop and that accumulate in areas not by the water return jets should at least prompt you to pull out your water test kit and see what’s going on with the water chemistry. It is easy to get rid of the bubbles and the good news is, it’s also easy to ensure they don’t come back.
What causes foam in the pool water?
- High levels of organic contaminants
- Low calcium levels
- Chemical imbalances
- A combination of any one of these
The pool water may need to be shocked to get all the chemistry back to “zero” so you can start over.
Should the pool be foamy?
Pool foam typically is an indication that the organic loads in the pool water are high. What this means is that there is more organic material in the pool water than the chemicals in the pool can dissolve. When this happens the water gets “thick” and foam appears.
What leads to foamy pool water?
Even if the pool is cleaned and the chemicals tested and balanced, foam can still happen. These are some causes:
- Hair care products. If you use hairspray or gel or shampoo and don’t shower before you get in the water, you are bringing organic contaminants into the pool water.
- Soaps, deodorants, lotion, perfume and other toiletries can lead to an over abundance of organic materials.
- A higher than usual swimming load. If you’re usually only having a few of your family members in the pool, then the water chemistry won’t change much. If however you have a party and have a lot of people in the pool, it can quickly upset the water chemistry and lead to foam.
- The soaps and detergents you use on the bathing suits you use. Look for laundry soap that is for sensitive skin and free of dyes and that will help, but not completely eliminate that potential issue.
- Fabric softener on your clothes, too, will get on your skin and get into the pool and yes — pool foam! Use white vinegar to soften clothes or use a wool dryer ball.
Water chemistry itself could be the culprit.
- Grab your water test kit and check the water chemistry.
- Test the alkalinity
- Check the pH balance
- Calcium hardness needs to be tested
- What is the level of the sanitizer in the water
- Low calcium levels
- Algaecides
If you’ve checked and tested and balanced all the chemicals and the water is still foamy, you may need to shock the swimming pool. It may be a last resort, but it may be what you need to do to get rid of the foam and get back into the water!