Common Pool Problems and How to Fix Them

Pool problems start small and turn big if ignored. The good news: almost every common issue is easy to spot if you know what to look for, and most resolve within 24-48 hours of correct treatment.

Here's the troubleshooting guide for the issues that come up most often in Brisbane pools.

Cloudy water

What it looks like: water has lost clarity, you can't see the floor clearly, light passing through looks hazy.

Most likely causes:

• Low free chlorine (test)
• High pH causing calcium scale to precipitate
• Filter not running long enough
• Heavy organic load (after a party, after a storm)

Fix: test chemistry, shock if chlorine is low, run filter 24 hours, brush walls. Usually clears within a day.

Green water

What it looks like: tinge of green visible, water still mostly clear in early stages.

Cause: algae, almost always. Chlorine has dropped below the level that kills algae faster than it grows.

Fix: shock dose chlorine (raise free chlorine to 10+ ppm temporarily), brush walls and floor thoroughly, add algaecide if you have it, run pump 24 hours. Severe cases may need a second shock.

Prevention: keep free chlorine above 1.5 ppm consistently.

Black or dark spots on pebble-crete

What it looks like: dark spots appearing on the walls or floor, sometimes raised.

Cause: black algae. Aggressive variety with roots that go into pebble-crete.

Fix: hard to eradicate. Heavy chlorine shock, brush daily with a stiff brush, specific black algae treatment. Sometimes takes 2-3 weeks.

Call us if it persists — black algae sometimes needs professional treatment.

Stinging eyes when swimming

Cause: almost always low pH, not too much chlorine (common myth).

Fix: test pH. Add pH up (soda ash) until 7.4-7.6.

Strong chlorine smell

Cause: chloramines — chlorine that's been used up reacting with organic matter. The strong smell is the by-product, not the active chlorine.

Fix: shock chlorinate to break down the chloramines. Run pump 24 hours.

Salt cell isn't producing chlorine

Causes (in order of likelihood):

• Salt level low — add salt if under 3,500 ppm
• Cell scaled with calcium — acid wash
• Stabiliser too low — chlorine breaks down too fast to register
• Cell at end of life — 5-7 years typical, replace

If you've checked all four and still no output, ring us.

Pump is making new noise

Grinding: bearings failing. Needs service before they fail completely.

Whining: cavitation. Check water level (might be low), check pump basket isn't blocked, check skimmer isn't clogged.

Vibration: air in the line. Check pump lid o-ring for damage.

If unsure, switch the pump off and ring us. Running a damaged pump damages it further.

Pool is losing water

Normal evaporation in Brisbane summer: 2-5cm per week.

If you're losing more than that, possible causes:

• Heavy use and splash-out (kids and pool parties)
• Leak in the skimmer or return line
• Leak in the pool shell (rare)
• Leak in equipment plumbing

Test: stick masking tape on the inside wall at water level. Wait 24 hours. Compare. If loss is >2cm in 24 hours, you've got a leak.

Common leak locations: skimmer throat, equipment connections, light fitting gaskets, suction line.

Call us for a leak — they're solvable but need professional finding.

Equipment shed flooding after rain

Cause: drainage around the equipment slab isn't working.

Short-term fix: pump or scoop water out, dry electrical components, restart system carefully.

Long-term fix: improve drainage around the slab. We can help if you're a Wahoo client.

Calcium scale on tiles or surfaces

What it looks like: white crusty deposits along the waterline or on equipment.

Cause: calcium hardness too high (over 400 ppm) and pH too high.

Fix: scrub off with calcium-specific cleaner. Lower pH and check calcium hardness via pool shop test.

When to call us

Most issues you can resolve yourself with the steps above. Call us for:

• Persistent green or black algae despite treatment
• Leaks (need finding equipment)
• Equipment that's making new mechanical noises
• Anything structural or unusual

If you're a Wahoo client, you've got Travis's mobile number. Use it. If you're considering a build and want this level of after-care, this is what we mean by handover support.

— Travis