8 Common Pool Problems and How to Fix Them

Owning a pool means hours and hours of summer fun—and hours and hours of pool maintenance. Fortunately, many common pool problems have simple solutions, so you can spend less time on troubleshooting and upkeep and more time working on your backstroke. Use this guide to learn about swimming pool issues you may encounter and the best way to fix them so you can get back to enjoying your pool all summer long.

1. Algae Growth

Stepping outside for a refreshing dip and discovering your pool water is green can be quite a shock.! Green algae is the most common kind of algae that grows in pools, but yellow algae (also called mustard algae) and black algae can also be found in pools. 

How to Fix It

Algae growth usually develops when sanitizer levels are too low and can be a sign that you need to adjust your chlorine levels. To remove algae growth and prevent it in the future, follow these steps:

• Shock your pool with one pound of shock for every 10,000 gallons.

• Treat your pool with the appropriate algaecide for the kind of algae you’re dealing with.

• Thoroughly brush your pool to remove algae stuck to the pool’s surface.

• Let the pool’s filtration system run to filter out algae.

• Wait 48 hours before swimming, and test your water’s chemical levels before using your pool.

2. Clogged Filter

A clogged pool filter can’t do its job effectively and has to work harder than it should. Before long, it can result in cloudy water and excess debris. 

How to Fix It

Fortunately, a clogged filter is often an easy fix. Check your filter for debris and clear it out regularly as part of your pool maintenance checklist. If you’ve cleared your filter and problems persist, your filter may need to be serviced or replaced. Hire a pool maintenance pro to find the cause of the problem and repair or replace your filter if needed. 

3. Too Much Chlorine

If your eyes are burning, you’re having trouble breathing, or your skin is red or itchy after using your pool, too much chlorine could be to blame. Chlorine is necessary to keep your pool sanitized and safe for swimming, but too much chlorine can be irritating. 

How to Fix It

Test your water’s chemical levels with a pool water test kit. Chlorine should be between 1 and 3 ppm. If your reading is higher than that, you can usually lower your pool’s chlorine level by simply leaving the cover off, running your pump, and waiting for the excess chlorine to dissipate. 

If testing reveals that your chlorine level is right where it should be, it could be that your pool’s pH levels are out of whack. Testing the water will let you know for sure; the ideal range for pool pH is 7.2 to 7.6. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, high and low pool pH can both cause skin and eye irritation. Raise the pool’s pH or lower the pool’s pH as needed to get to the recommended levels.

4. Wrinkled Liner

Discovering that your pool’s vinyl liner has developed wrinkles can be a big source of worry for a pool owner. Some potential causes of a wrinkled liner include:

• An improperly installed liner

• Water getting behind the liner from tears in the liner or leaks in the pool

• Imbalanced water chemicals 

• Water loss that causes the liner to move away from the pool walls

How to Fix It

In the case of a wrinkly liner, first test your water to ensure all chemicals are at the correct levels and adjust as needed. If your water chemistry looks good, call a pool professional to pinpoint the problem. The cost of replacing a pool liner can average between $1,100 and $3,700, depending on the size and shape of your pool.

5. Scale Buildup

Scale buildup can turn your pool water gray and leave a sandpaper-like texture on the pool’s surface. Scale is usually caused by a buildup of calcium or, less often, other minerals, and you should always address a scale problem as soon as you notice it to prevent a bigger problem down the road. 

How to Fix It

Calcium buildup occurs when the water’s pH levels are too high, so test your pool’s pH and lower the water’s pH level as needed. To remove stubborn scale from your pool’s surface, use a wet pumice stone for tile or concrete pools or a water additive specially formulated for scale for vinyl and fiberglass pools. In more extreme cases, you may need to call in a pool resurfacing pro near you for scale removal to avoid expensive pool resurfacing costs if the problem persists.

6. Change in Water Level

Pools will naturally lose about a quarter-inch of water a day, or about 2 to 4 inches a week, due to evaporation. This is a normal and expected amount of water loss and generally nothing to be concerned about. If your pool is losing more water than that, however, it’s a sign that you may have a pool problem.

How to Fix It

The most common source of water loss is a pool leak. Pool leaks can happen almost anywhere in your pool and its plumbing, so you’ll want to find the leak in your pool as soon as possible. Because the inner workings of your pool are complex and trying to track down a leak can be challenging, call a pool repair pro to find and fix your leak safely and correctly. 

7. Pump Problems

Your pool pump is one of the most essential components when it comes to keeping your pool clean and healthy. It's also a hard-working device that can experience several types of failures. Various vibrations and loud noises, leaking, inability to pump water, motor troubles, and air getting into the system are all common pool pump problems​. 

How to Fix It

Fortunately, many pump problems are the result of clogged skimmers. If your pump is experiencing low water flow, intermittent motor overheating that leads to frequent on and off cycles, or some unusual noises, check the skimmers for a buildup of debris and remove it. 

If you notice water leaks anywhere in your pool pump system, check the connections and O-rings in and around where the water leak exists and replace them as necessary. Try similar repairs for air leaks in the system. 

For loud vibrations or thumping sounds, first ensure that your filter is resting level on a solid surface. Installing a mounting mat below the unit can often help limit these noises.

If none of the above fixes cures the problem, it's time to call a professional to diagnose and repair the issue. 

8. Cloudy Water

Cloudy pool water can happen for any number of reasons. Insufficient filtering for the amount of debris in the water is a common cause, as are high pH levels, lack of chlorine, and even the weather. It's also not uncommon to experience a brief period of pool cloudiness immediately after shocking the pool. 

How to Fix It

Test the pool water for proper chemical levels first. Pay particular attention to the chlorine level, making sure it's not low. Next, check the pH level and adjust to between 7.2 and 7.6. Finally, inspect your pump and filter situations. Try cleaning the filters, cleaning out the skimmers, and allowing the pump to run for an extra while to deal with extra impurities in the water. 

When to Call a Pro for Your Pool Problem

The longer you own your pool, the more experience you'll gain in handling many of the problems you're likely to experience. Dealing with chemical balancing and maintaining your pump filters and skimmers are the first steps. More complex problems, such as finding and repairing water leaks, may come later. It can be tricky to know precisely when to call a pro for help. 

As a rule of thumb, if you're looking to better understand your pool and the problem you're dealing with has to do with water clarity, algae growth, or simple filter fixes, learn all you can about the situation and tackle the problem with confidence. 

On the other hand, if your pool problem is a mechanical one, such as a noisy or failing pump, liner trouble, or water level issue, calling a local pool repair professional is your best bet. Additionally, if you're more about enjoying your pool and leaving the hard stuff to the pros, keeping a pool maintenance expert on your short list of who to call is an excellent way to go.

How to Prevent Common Pool Problems

There's simply no way to fully prevent common pool problems that have to do with regular wear and tear of its components, like the pump and filters. However, you can minimize the regularity of pool problems by strictly following a pool maintenance plan that includes maintaining the water level, regularly balancing chemicals, following manufacturer guidelines for your filter and pump, frequent cleanings, and monitoring the entire system for irregularities. 

Many pool owners hire a pool maintenance professional to manage their pool, chemicals, and maintenance so they can enjoy their pool more often and with less hassle.