Foam In The Water..Swimming Pool..How To Get Rid Of..

We have a 20x40 kidney shaped gunite pool. It was backed washed yesterday and some DE added.

Pool water tested o.k. but towards the evening bubbly or cloudy pool water was coming out of the returns thus causing foam to float all over the pool. This has happened a few times before.

I have changed to a Hayward DE swimming pool filter since the first time it happened and for the past season it happened once, and again yesterday.

Would you know what's causing this or what I can do to resolve this?

Thanks so much in advance for any help you can give.

Thanks for your question

First I would recommend a Taylor Reagent FAS-DPD K-2006 pool water testing kit. It's the most accurate and the best on the market.

Water Testing Kit..FAQ..Chemistry Testing..Procedures..Balance..Swimming..

Be sure your pool chemicals are in line:

Swimming Pool Tips..Maintenance..Above Ground..Inground..Care

Chlorine- 1.5ppm - 3.5ppm
pH Level- 7.6ppm - 7.8ppm
Total Alkalinity (TA)- 80ppm - 100ppm
Calcium Hardness- 150ppm - 250ppm (mainly for plaster pools)
Cyanuric Acid (CYA)- 40ppm - 60ppm

Now for some factors that could contribute to foaming pool water:

*Low calcium hardness levels or soft water. If you have a soft water system, fill your pool with regular fill water.

*High Total Dissolved Solid Levels (TDS)

*Lotions, sun-screens, oils

*Poor water balance.

*Use of low grade algaecides that are 10% polymers

*Kids that think throwing soap into your pool is funny (it does happen)

Low quality swimming pool algaecides that contain similar ingredients to dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride are known to cause some pool water foaming.

You're best bet is a polymer (polyquat) algaecide or chelated copper algaecide. The polyquat algaecides are a little more money but are better for treating many kinds of swimming pool algae.

A chelated copper algaecide are inexpensive, good with vinyl pools, and effective against many forms of pool algae.

Another issue is that you could have pool algae, bad or no filtration, or an air leak in the return lines.

You can start by chocking the pool:

Swimming Pool Shock..How To.. Calcium Hypochlorite..Chlorine..Care..Maintenance

With a DE pool filter you'll need to be sure the grids are clean and recharged with the right amount of DE. Clean and backwash the pool filter as needed. A leak in the suction line(s) can cause foaming.

If you start using a "foam away" product, it doesn't address what caused the foaming in the first place. You need to find the reason for the pool water foaming. Also, you might be adding more TDS into the system which in turn might add to your foaming pool water problem.

Hope this helps

Robert