Scaling and Cloudy Water

[BunnyHouse]

Good morning. We have a new inground pool, about 6 weeks since water. Yesterday the water was clear, but we had started to feel 'sandpaper' like on the steps and hot tub. The levels from the pool store Tuesday were:
TC - 2
FC - 2
PH - 8 (has been high since beginning - PB maintained pool for first month and has never been below 8)
TA - 125
CH - 500
CYA - 50
Salt Level - 3600

The pool store had us do the following Tuesday:
- Add 1 bottle (32 oz) of Suncoast Ultimate Metal Control Plus - Salt Solution
- Add 2 quarts of Muriatic Acid

Today the pool is very cloudy. Checked with little kit today and PH and chlorine both high. Added 2 quarts of acid.
Any suggestions as to why the pool is cloudy? It has not been cloudy previously. The pH has always been high but the PB said that was normal since new pool.

 

[Texas Splash]

While the metal control could have influenced the water clarity, I suspect cloudy could be algae. Your FC level is a bit low now and if it has been that way for a while, algae is very possible. To be sure, you could perform an Overnight Chlorine Loss Test, but you need a proper test kit. Pool store testing is VERY unreliable. Home testing with a TF-100 or Taylor K-2006C test kit is much more dependable and convenient. One of those kits will last all season. So I would do an Overnight Chlorine Loss Test to see if it's algae.

As for the sandpaper, that's probably calcium scale starting to develop because the pH has been allowed to climb too high over the last few weeks. New plaster causes the pH to rise quickly and it must be controlled with acid. In addition, the TA appears to be a bit elevated which will also allow the pH to climb very fast.

Recommendation: Obtain one of those test kits and run a new set of results. Then use our PoolMath APP to adjust items from there. Right now, add one gallon of liquid chorine to increase the FC level. About 15 minutes later add enough acid to lower the pH to about 7.0. Tomorrow, use your OTO block viewer to test the FC to ensure it's at least 5 ppm. A good bright yellow should do for now until you get one of those test kits which will allow you to conduct very precise FC testing.

Post back with questions and we'll be glad to help.

 

[BunnyHouse]

Thank you Texas Splash!

 

[Bogo]

Is the hot tub new as well and it and pool having the cloudiness & sandpaper feel issues? Is it on steps only or other surfaces too?

The PH, Alk and hardness looks to have been allowed to drift too high and probably for too long. Was a precise plaster start up procedure provided to you by PB or were they or service company tasked with it? This would involve a schedule for brushing, testing (could be daily first few weeks), PH, Alk, CH set points, when to add salt, etc.?

Cloudiness (gray, white?) could be due to high hardness and Alk. Your water is highly scale forming especially at higher temperatures. Lowering PH will help reduce it and the Alk. The sandpaper feel could be scale from calcium depositing itself especially if it scrapes off leaving smooth surface below. Be careful of how acid is added because it can etch plaster that can then feel rough.

I’d verify the 500 CH reading and the test used was appropriate for that high a range. Do a full test of your source water if not already done because you may be looking at having to do a water exchange to reduce the hardness.

If the PB has not been involved with this they should be. I don't know if their response to your PH=8 inquiry means they see no problem with it always being there or that it will go up but needs to be brought down. Their first defense on surface plaster warranty issues will be to question the water balance that was maintained. Guess who they will blame unless they were responsible for it especially during start up. I suggest checking your contract and warranty section.