Start with circulation and filtration
Water cannot stay polished if it is not moving through the filter effectively. A full basket, dirty filter, closed valve, air leak or short run time can reduce circulation enough to leave fine material suspended.
Check for normal return flow and compare the filter pressure with the clean baseline for your equipment. A pressure number only means something when you know what is normal for that system.
Seven likely causes
Cloudiness often comes from more than one issue at once. A storm can introduce debris while diluting sanitizer, and weak circulation can slow the recovery.
- Low sanitizer
- Unbalanced pH or alkalinity
- Inadequate circulation
- A dirty or ineffective filter
- Fine debris after rain or yard work
- Early algae growth
- Excess product or an incorrect chemical dose
What not to do
Do not keep adding random products until the water changes. Clarifiers, algaecides and shock products each have a purpose, but they cannot replace accurate testing or fix a mechanical circulation problem.
Write down the test results and any recent changes. That short history is far more useful than a shelf full of partially used treatments.
When to request help
Ask for an assessment when cloudiness persists, circulation is weak, the pump will not prime or the water begins turning green. Swimming should wait whenever the bottom cannot be seen clearly or water balance is uncertain.