6 Signs It’s Time To Call A Pool Service
Written by Lea Collins.
Owning a pool should feel easy and fun. When the water fights back, or your gear starts acting up, it’s a sign you may need expert eyes and tools. Use these six signs to know when to bring in a pro before small issues become big repairs.
Cloudy Or Murky Water
If you cannot clearly see the main drain at the deepest point, the water is not just dull - it may be unsafe to swim.
Cloudiness often points to tiny particles, tired filtration, or imbalanced chemistry that simple shock treatments will not fix. A professional can test turbidity, check filtration flow and media, and rule out early algae or biofilm.
Guidance from an independent technical body says water should be clear enough for a lifeguard to see the bottom at all times, and if clarity tests are not met, the pool should be taken out of use until corrected.
That standard matters since visibility is a safety issue, not only a cosmetic one. If your view of the deep end fades after heavy use or a storm, it is time to schedule a service visit.
Strong Or Unusual Odors
A harsh “pool smell” around the water often signals the opposite of clean. What you are noticing is usually combined contaminants that build up when sanitizer gets tied up with sweat, sunscreen, or leaves.
The fix is not dumping in fragrance - it is restoring balance and improving circulation so fresh disinfectant can do its job. When you are weighing upgrades that stabilize water between visits, think about these pool sanitising systems from a specialist supplier, and choose options that match your bather load and climate. The right setup reduces big swings in chemistry and cuts down on odor-causing byproducts.
Public health guidance notes that local rules set minimums for safe disinfectant and clarity, so a tech will measure and adjust to those ranges rather than guessing.
Recurring Algae Blooms
Brushing and shocking can clear the water for a few days, then the green haze creeps back. That cycle usually means the root cause remains in place - low, drifting sanitizer, weak circulation in dead zones, or filters that need deep cleaning.
Algae shelters in grout lines, light niches, and under ladder treads, which makes routine brushes miss the seed spots.
Why Algae Keeps Returning
A university primer explains that keeping a pool both safe and good-looking takes steady control of water chemistry, not just a single test.
Pros map circulation patterns, verify turnover rates, and check sanitizer residuals through the day. With that data, they can target the real problem and stop the rebound.
Stinging Eyes Or Irritated Skin
If swimmers complain about red eyes or itchy skin, it is often not “too much chlorine.” More commonly, there is too little active sanitizer combined with a pH that has wandered off target.
When pH strays or when combined contaminants build up, water can irritate, even if a quick strip test looks fine. A national health agency points out that pool codes and guidance set ranges for free disinfectant and pH to protect bathers.
Service techs do not just read a single strip - they use calibrated meters, test combined chlorine, and balance pH, alkalinity, and stabilizer so disinfectant stays effective. That deeper approach usually resolves irritation without overcorrecting.
Falling Water Levels Or Possible Leaks
Topping off more than usual can mean more than summer heat. Look for sleepy skimmers, air in the pump basket, damp soil near plumbing runs, or bubbles returning to the pool.
Any of those can point to a suction leak, a return line issue, or a slow structural crack that needs leak detection.
Track how often you add water each week
Watch the skimmer window after the pump shuts off
Note soft spots or new wet patches near pipes or the pad
Listen for new gurgling sounds at startup
Check for recurring air in the filter or priming issues
Photograph the waterline daily to spot hidden loss
Pros use dye, pressure, and sonic tests to isolate the problem. Catching a leak early protects the shell, deck, and nearby structures, and it keeps your chemistry from drifting as fresh water dilutes the pool.
Noisy Or Struggling Equipment
A pump that whines or a filter that hisses is asking for help. Whining points to worn bearings or an impeller clog.
Hissing can be an air leak on the suction side that hurts priming and flow. If the heater short cycles or throws codes, you may have a flow or sensor issue that needs proper diagnostics.
Public resources on pool operation highlight that equipment performance ties directly to water quality. Low flow means fewer turnovers, and that can leave contaminants in the water longer than intended.
A service visit will document pressures, amperage, and flow, clean or replace media, and reset the system so chemistry and circulation work together.
Bringing in help is not giving up - it is smart ownership. Timely service catches issues before they snowball, and it keeps pool time calm instead of stressful. When any of these signs show up, make the call and get back to clear water and quiet equipment.
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