Why Is My Pool Cloudy? Expert Advice on Fixing It Fast
One of the most common questions homeowners ask is: “Why is my pool cloudy?” Whether you’ve just opened your pool for the season or you’re battling hazy water after a big weekend swim, cloudy pool water is frustrating—and potentially unsafe.
At Blue Pelican Pools, we’ve helped hundreds of homeowners in Murrieta, Temecula, and surrounding areas clear up their pools quickly and safely. In this post, we’ll explain what causes cloudy pool water, how to fix it, and why calling a professional often saves you time, money, and headaches.
What Causes Cloudy Pool Water?
Cloudy water usually means your pool’s filtration or chemistry is off. That foggy or milky appearance comes from tiny particles floating in the water—like dirt, oils, bacteria, or even early-stage algae—that your filter isn’t removing properly.
Here are the four most common reasons we see cloudy pool water in Southern California:
1. Filtration Problems
Your filter is the heart of your pool’s circulation system. If it’s clogged, dirty, undersized, or not running long enough, it won’t remove fine particles effectively. This is especially common after windy days or heavy swimmer use in warmer months.
Pro Tip: In areas like Murrieta and Temecula, where dust and debris are frequent, your filter may need cleaning more often.
Run your pump 8–12 hours a day during the summer
Backwash or clean the filter regularly
Check your filter pressure and service if needed. If it is 6 months since last cleaning or 10psi higher than when it was cleaned it’s time to take care of your filter.
2. Unbalanced Pool Chemistry
Water that’s too high or low in pH, alkalinity, or calcium can turn cloudy fast. Low chlorine levels allow organic contaminants to thrive. High calcium or total dissolved solids (TDS) can cause cloudiness, especially with hard tap water, which is common in Riverside County.
Using your pool will affect the chemistry even if your pool chemistry was balanced by yourself or a pro it will change after use.
Target water chemistry levels:
Chlorine: 2–4 ppm
pH: 7.2–7.6
Alkalinity: 80–120 ppm
Calcium Hardness: 200–400 ppm
If you’ve recently refilled your pool, used your pool, had a change in weather temperature, had a pool party, had children in the pool or added chemicals without testing first, imbalances could be the culprit.
3. Contaminants: Sunscreen, Oils, and Dust
Sunscreen, body oils, makeup, and lotions are common in family pools—and they’re tough on filters. In outdoor pools, dust and pollen can also contribute to cloudy water. If you’ve had pets or a high number of swimmers, your water may be overloaded with contaminants.
Quick Fix: Use pool enzymes solutions weekly to break down oils and organics, and brush your pool walls and steps regularly.
4. Algae (Even When It’s Not Green Yet)
Cloudy pool water can be a sign of early-stage algae. If chlorine levels aren’t holding overnight or the pool looks dull despite being chemically balanced, algae may be starting to bloom.
Solution: Shock the pool with a high chlorine dose and brush thoroughly to remove algae from walls and steps. A follow-up treatment may be needed to prevent recurrence.
Can You Clear a Cloudy Pool Yourself?
In some cases, yes. But for many homeowners, clearing cloudy water is harder than expected. Without the right tools and training, you might:
Add too much of the wrong chemical (like clarifier or flocculant)
Miss a hidden issue (like phosphates or filter flow problems)
Waste days guessing—while the water gets worse
In our local climate (Murrieta and Temecula), UV rays burn off chlorine quickly, and hard water contributes to mineral buildup—making cloudiness harder to resolve without professional-grade testing and treatment.
Why Hiring a Local Pool Pro Makes Sense
At Blue Pelican Pools, we specialize in residential pool cleaning, filter cleaning and filter repair, and green-to-clean services across Murrieta, Temecula, and surrounding communities. When a customer calls us about cloudy water, we don’t guess—we diagnose.
Here’s what you get with professional pool service:
Accurate Water Testing
We test for stabilizer (CYA), phosphate levels, calcium, pH, chlorine demand, and more using professional grade tools and equipment .
Filter and Circulation Check
Many cloudy pool problems begin with the filter. We inspect for pressure issues, clogging, or runtime problems and service it as needed.
Customized Treatment
We don’t rely on one-size-fits-all advice. Our treatment plan accounts for your pool’s unique setup, local water source, bather load, and environmental factors.
Prevention Going Forward
Once the water is clear, we set up a maintenance plan to help prevent future problems—saving you time and money all season long.
Is Cloudy Pool Water Dangerous?
Yes, it can be. When water is cloudy, it often means your sanitizer (chlorine or bromine) isn’t doing its job. That increases the risk of bacteria like E. coli, algae spores, or even recreational water illnesses—especially if swimmers have sensitive skin or open wounds.
If your pool has been cloudy for more than two days—or gets cloudy after every use—it’s time to get help.
How Long Does It Take to Fix a Cloudy Pool?
With professional treatment, many pools clear up in 24–72 hours depending on the cause. More complex issues can take a week or more to completely resolve. DIY methods can take longer—and often involve repeated trips to the pool store or home goods store, trial-and-error adjustments, and added costs from unnecessary products.
Serving Murrieta, Temecula & Surrounding Areas
Whether you’re dealing with cloudy water, algae blooms, or just want a reliable pool service to keep your water balanced and swim-ready, Blue Pelican Pools is here to help.
We’re locally owned, fully insured, and focused on delivering peace of mind through professional pool care. With routine service, you can skip the hassle and get back to enjoying your backyard.
Final Takeaway
Cloudy pool water is the most searched pool issue for a reason—it’s persistent, confusing, and potentially unsafe. While DIY might work in simple cases, the real fix often requires a pro.
Let Blue Pelican Pools take the guesswork out of your pool care. If you’re in Murrieta, Temecula, or surrounding areas, we’re your trusted local expert for crystal-clear water all year long.
Need help clearing your pool?
Contact Blue Pelican Pools today for fast, affordable service.
Visit www.bluepelicanpools.com or call us to schedule your free quote.