Poor Chemistry

• Th water in your swimming pool must be tested and maintained for pH balance and chlorine levels. If not cared for, the water can develop algae, bacteria and unpleasant odors. Heavy use during hot weather, and especially when the pool is directly exposed to sunshine, can degrade the chlorine and cause cloudiness and skin irritation. Improper pool water chemistry can also stain the pool liners, tiles and underwater surfaces with scale and grime.
  
  

Filter Problems

• A swimming pool filter is essential and should be cleaned frequently and run for at least six hours every day. The pool filter removes dirt, insects and other undesirable things from the water. If the filter is not running properly or not cleaned out, the water can turn nasty as dirt and organic material begins to collect in the pool.
  
  

Dirty Surfaces

• The underwater walls and floor of the swimming pool must be brushed and vacuumed at least once a week, and more if the pool is under heavy use. This allows you to remove any large material such as stones, leaves and twigs, that cannot be removed with the pool filter. Material that is not brushed down and collected will eventually degrade in the water, causing problems with the pool chemistry.
  
  

Overchlorination

• To compensate for problem water, some owners will shock the pool with a high concentration of chlorine or set a chlorine pump on high. This can also cause problems. Overchlorinated water causes stinging eyes, skin irritation, a chemical smell and in some people serious physical reactions. There are a bevy of nonchlorine pool treatments that can supplement the work of chlorine in sanitizing and disinfecting the water.
  
  

Leaks

• Cracks (often barely visible) can develop in the pool tiles or on the subsurface walls or floor of the pool. This is a common problem in cold climates, where icing and melting in the winter can do serious damage. If not repaired, cracks will allow water to leak out of the pool and under the pool deck. As a result, the pool water level constantly runs low, more chemicals must be used to disinfect it and the pool filter must work overtime to keep the pool free of debris. Many tile leaks can be repaired with waterproof silicon caulking especially manufactured for this purpose. Other underwater leaks may need repair by resurfacing the pool. If the leak is not attended to, it will only grow worse with time.