The next time you’re swimming in your pool, take a look at the bubbles that are forming on the surface of the water.
You might notice that some of them seem to be coming from the bottom of the pool and others from the top.
The most common reason for this is air trapped inside the pool walls.
In this article we shall explain why this happens, and what to do about getting rid of the air bubbles.
So, let’s get to it!
Table of Contents
Why Do Bubbles Occur In A Swimming Pool?
Bubble formation can occur when there is an imbalance between the amount of gas dissolved in the water and the amount of gas dissolved in the air.
This happens because gasses dissolve more readily into liquids than they do into solids.
When the amount of gas dissolved into the liquid exceeds the amount dissolved into the surrounding air, bubbles will form.
Air bubbles in pools usually result from two causes:
Gas Exchange Through The Pool Wall
Air enters the pool through cracks in the concrete, through drains, and around windows and doors (if your pool has them).
It also comes in through the filter intake pipe.
If the air pressure outside the pool is lower than the air pressure inside the pool, then air will enter the pool.
Water Movement
Water moves through pipes, pumps, and other parts of the plumbing system. Sometimes it does so very slowly. As a result, air can move with the water.
When air gets into the pool, it mixes with the existing air and forms new bubbles. These bubbles rise to the surface.
How To Get Rid Of Air Bubbles In A Pool
There are several ways to get rid of air bubbles in a pool. You may want to try all of them before deciding which one works best for you.
Add Aeration Equipment
Aerators work by forcing air through the water. They use power or manual pumps. There are many different types of aerators available.
Most of these devices have an impeller that spins rapidly inside a tank filled with water. This creates turbulence that forces air into the water.
Use Water Softeners
If you don’t already have one, add a water softener to your pool.
Softening removes calcium and magnesium ions from the water.
Calcium and magnesium are the main components of hard water. Hard water makes the water cloudy and can cause rusting of metal objects.
Install A Filter
Install a sand filter in your pool (see also ‘ How To Backwash Your Swimming Pool Filter ‘). Sand filters remove particles like dirt and debris from the water.
Sand filters (see also ‘How Much Sand To Use With Your Sand Filter System’) are not as effective at removing bacteria as carbon filtration systems.
However, if you live in an area where chlorine levels are high, a sand filter may be sufficient.
Change The Filters
Change the filter every three months. Replace the filter if it becomes clogged. If you have a spa area, change the filter after each use.
Clean The Surface Of The Pool
Clean the surface of the pool regularly. Scrubbing helps keep algae from growing. Use a brush or sponge to clean the sides and bottom of the pool.
Keep The Pool Surroundings Clear
Keep the area around the pool clear of leaves, sticks, and other items that could fall into the pool. Also make sure that no animals or pets roam near the pool.
Check The Drain System
Check the drain system periodically. Make sure that the drain covers are not blocked. Also make sure that any holes in the floor are covered.
Maintain Proper pH Levels
Maintaining proper pH levels is important. Too much acidity can damage the pool walls and equipment.
Too little acidity can lead to mineral build-up on the bottom of the pool.
Monitor The Temperature
Monitor the temperature of the water. The ideal temperature range for swimming is between 78 degrees F and 82 degrees F.
Other Solutions And Reasons
Here are a few other reasons explained why there may be bubbles in your swimming pool, and how to fix it:
Monitor The Water Level To Avoid Bubbles
If you notice that there are bubbles forming in your swimming pool, then you need to monitor the water level carefully. This way, you won’t end up with a big mess.
If the water gets too low, it will cause air pockets to form. These air pockets can become trapped under the surface of the water.
Then these bubbles will rise to the top of the pool. This causes the bubbles to appear.
To avoid this problem, you need to adjust the water level so that the water stays at least five inches above the lowest point of the pool.
Check The Pump
If you’re having problems with air bubbles in your pool, check the pump. It might be running too fast.
You should also check the filter. If the filter isn’t working properly, it could be causing air bubbles.
The water pressure could also be too strong. Check the pump settings to see whether they need adjusting.
What To Do If Filter Is Causing Air Bubbles
If the filter is causing air bubbles, you’ll need to replace it. You can buy replacement filters online.
However, if you want to save money, you can try cleaning out the filter instead. To do this, follow these steps:
Remove the cover plate from the back of the filter.
Use a hose to fill the filter with hot water. Let the water run through the filter until it stops bubbling.
Drain the water from the filter.
Replace the filter.
Other Reasons For Bubbles In A Swimming Pool
There are other reasons why you might see bubbles in your swimming pool. You should check these out before they get worse.
Bubble Caused By Algae
Algae can sometimes grow in pools. When this happens, it forms a thick layer of green slime on the bottom of the pool.
As a result, the water becomes cloudy. The light cannot penetrate through the water. The algae does not receive much sunlight, therefore it dies off.
However, the dead algae leaves behind a residue of calcium carbonate. This substance builds up over time.
Eventually, the calcium carbonate starts to form bubbles. These bubbles eventually become visible.
Algae grows quickly when the water is warm. It also tends to grow more easily when the water has been stagnant for some time.
Algae produces oxygen as part of its normal metabolism. As a result, it increases the amount of dissolved oxygen in the water.
This excess oxygen creates bubbles.
The bubbles are usually small and harmless.
However, they can increase the risk of infection if they break through the surface of the water and come into contact with the skin.
This is especially true for children who swim frequently. They tend to put their hands in the water while playing.
When the bubbles reach the surface, they pop and release tiny droplets of water. Then these droplets land on the skin.
These droplets contain bacteria which can enter the body through cuts and scrapes.
Bubble Caused By A Chemical Reaction
Sometimes, chemicals used to treat the water can react with the chlorine present in the pool. This results in the formation of gas bubbles.
These bubbles may be large enough to cause problems. For example, they can leak out of the pool and float away.
They can also travel along the surface of the water until they reach an object such as a person’s face. In this case, the bubble can burst on the person’s face.
This can irritate the eyes and nose.
It can also cause breathing difficulties.
You should take steps to prevent this from happening. First, you should ensure that the chemicals used to treat the pool are properly mixed.
You should also make sure that the chemicals are not stored near any heat sources. Heat can speed up the rate of chemical reactions.
Finally, you should keep track of all chemicals used to treat the swimming pool. If you use any new chemicals, you should test them first.
If you notice bubbles forming in your pool, then you should do something about it. Otherwise, the pool could start to deteriorate.
Is It A Bad Sign If There Are Bubbles In The Swimming Pool?
Bubbles in a swimming pool are not necessarily bad. However, they can indicate problems with the pool.
For example, if there are too many bubbles, this means that there is more air in the pool than should be present.
It could also mean that the pump isn’t working properly, or it could mean that there is something wrong with the filter.
It could even mean that someone forgot to turn off the automatic valve.
The presence of bubbles in a swimming pool doesn’t necessarily mean that the pool needs to be drained.
It just means that the pool has some issues that need to be addressed.
Can You Leave The Air Bubbles In Your Swimming Pool , Or Will It Damage It?
You can leave the air bubbles in your swimming pool as long as they aren’t causing any harm.
But you will probably notice that the bubbles start to disappear when you swim in the pool.
This is because the bubbles are mixing with the existing air in the pool.
When you want to get rid of the bubbles, you’ll need to lower the level of the water in the pool. Then you’ll need to wait until the water reaches its normal level again.
This process takes about 24 hours.
Final Thoughts
Swimming pools are great places to spend time with family and friends. Unfortunately, they don’t always provide an enjoyable experience.
That’s why it’s so important to know what kind of maintenance your swimming pool requires.
The majority of the time you can fix the issue yourself so long as you know the cause, but sometimes you may need to contact a professional.
When you do find an issue with your pool such as bubbles, you may notice that if left untreated it does damage to your swimming pool over time.
In this article we have discussed the different types of reasons why you may find bubbles in your swimming pool, and how to fix the issue.
We hope that you found our guide useful!
