Why Your Pool is Cloudy and How to Fix It

Family relaxing in a crystal-clear saltwater pool.

Few things are more frustrating for a pool owner than walking outside to find your beautiful blue pool looking murky, dull, or outright cloudy. In Southwest Florida, where pools stay open year-round, cloudy pool water is a common issue—especially during the busy swim season when heat, rain, and heavy use all play a part.

If you’ve ever asked, “Why is my pool cloudy?”—don’t worry. Here’s what causes it, how to clear it up, and how to keep your water crystal clear all year long.

🤔 What Causes Cloudy Pool Water?

Cloudiness usually means there’s a lack of sanitizer, imbalance in the water chemistry, lack of adequate circulation, or an issue with the filtration system. The most common culprits include:

1️⃣ Imbalanced chemicals: pH, chlorine, alkalinity, stabilizer, and calcium hardness must stay in balance. When even one of these levels drifts too high or too low, it can throw your water chemistry off and lead to cloudiness.

📚 Learn more about balancing pool chemistry from SwimmingPool.com

2️⃣ Poor filtration: A dirty or ineffective filter means debris and contaminants aren’t being removed properly. Filter cartridges should typically be cleaned monthly and replaced periodically. Sand filters should be backwashed monthly and the sand changed occasionally. DE filters should be backwashed monthly and typically taken apart; grids inspected and cleaned and recharged with fresh DE.

3️⃣ Algae Growth: Algae can sneak in quickly, and even in its early stages, it can turn your pool water cloudy and dull. This often happens when chlorine levels dip too low or water circulation is inadequate, creating the perfect environment for algae to thrive.

📚 Learn more about prevent algae growth from our previous blog

4️⃣ Weather factors: Southwest Florida’s weather can be unpredictable — heavy rain, high heat, strong UV rays, wind-blown debris, algae spores present in the air or washed in from cages and roofs, and even Saharan dust factor in to chlorine consumption and can contribute to algae and cloudy water.

📚 Discover more how the weather affects your pool from Weber Pools

5️⃣ Other Environmental Factors: Heavy organic debris, such as heavy leaves, pollen, grass clippings, and fertilizer overspray can provide nutrients for algae to feed on. Heavy bather loads and the suntan lotions, conditioners, makeup, sweat, and urea contribute to cloudy water and the breakdown of chlorine. Many people don’t realize that dogs using a pool are typically thought to equal an equivalent bather load of ten to fifty humans!

🔍 How to Clear Up a Cloudy Pool

Don’t let cloudy water keep you from enjoying your pool. Here’s a simple action plan:

1️⃣ Test and Balance Your Water: Start with a thorough water test—check chlorine, pH, alkalinity, cyanuric acid, calcium hardness and phosphates. Adjust as needed to get everything in the proper range.

2️⃣ Shock the Pool: If your chlorine is low and algae is present, it’s time for a good shock treatment. This helps eliminate contaminants that regular sanitizer levels can’t handle alone.

📚 Find out how and when to shock your pool from Leslie’s

3️⃣ Inspect and Clean Your Filter: Clean your cartridge filter as needed. Sand filters should be backwashed periodically and the sand changed out once every several years. DE Filters should be backwashed and recharged monthly. Once every six months to a year a DE filter should be taken apart, the grids inspected and cleaned and recharged with DE.

📚 Learn more how to maintain cartridge, sand, and DE filters properly from Liquidus Pool Services

4️⃣ Run the Pump Longer: Increase your pump’s runtime to improve circulation and filtration. This helps remove tiny particles that cause cloudiness.

5️⃣ Brush and Vacuum: Don’t forget to brush the walls and vacuum the floor to remove any debris that might be causing the haze.

✨ Conclusion: Keep Your Water Crystal Clear with Consistent Pool Care!

Cloudy pool water might be common in Florida’s hot, rainy climate—but with the proper attention and the right routine, it’s completely manageable. By testing your water regularly, maintaining proper filtration, and staying ahead of weather- or usage-related changes, you can enjoy a clear, sparkling pool all year.

Not sure where to start or tired of managing the cloudiness yourself? On-Time Pool Service can take the guesswork out of pool care with expert testing, maintenance, and treatments—so your pool is always swim-ready, no matter the season.

Why Choose On-Time Pool Service?

As a state-licensed and certified pool contractor (CPC#1459543), On-Time Pool Service offers Sarasota-area pool owners expert, transparent, and reliable care. Whether it’s regular service, diagnostics, repairs, or upgrades, we provide everything you need to enjoy your pool all year long—without the hassle.

We specialize in:

Weekly pool service and cleaning: Regular maintenance to keep your pool in perfect condition.
Pool equipment repairs and diagnostics: Expert repairs for all your pool equipment, ensuring longevity and performance.
Pool automation and upgrades: Advanced automation solutions for convenient and efficient pool management.

With On-Time Pool Service, you get trusted service backed by professional certifications, extensive experience, and a commitment to keeping your pool in top condition.

🌐 Check out our services page on our website to explore more how we can assist or use our online instant estimate tool for a quick personalized quote based on your specific pool needs.

Contact Us

Ready to keep your pool in top condition? Contact On-Time Pool Service for a professional check-up on your pool!

📞 (941) 224-0404

📨 info@ontimepoolservice.com

📍4047 Bee Ridge Road. Suite A, Sarasota, FL. 34233

Let On-Time Pool Service help you enjoy a safer, healthier, and more beautiful swimming experience — all year long!

Helpful Resources

For more information on pool care, equipment, and maintenance, check out these independent trusted resources: