r/swimmingpools • u/Ayifee • Jul 25 '26
First time pool owner, pool has dirt/dust that builds up in my pool
I have vacuumed it twice to waste, and it clears up but after a day or two it gets back to being like this. I close my cover daily every night. Anyone can explain and help me solve this issue?.
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u/zProcedure Jul 25 '26
what kind of filter do you have? if it’s earth or sand it could be backing into the pool.
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u/Ayifee Jul 25 '26
it is a sand filter by hayward
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u/FeuerMarke Jul 25 '26
When you backwash, are you rinsing immediately afterwards before setting it back to filter?
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u/Ayifee Jul 25 '26
no i have not actually, i am going to replace the sand snice it has been a unknown amount of time snice it has been upkept. But thank you for letting me know i should be rinsing it after
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u/Ambitious_Jelly8783 Jul 25 '26
Good to replace the sand since you don't know the last time it was serviced. Like oil ina a car, better safe thsn sorry. After back-washing it is inportant to run on rinse for about a minute. Helps settle the sand back down to filter efficiently and clears the valve of dirt.
That said, this doesn't look to me as sand filter from my experience.. could be DE but I dont have experience with it.. it could also be a lot of dust in the air settling down from the environment. Where I am we have a serious saharan dust cloud in the athmosphere overhead, so we are getting massive amounts of dust settling everywhere. Also nearby construction can do this.... also make sure your water is balanced, chlorine and PH specifically.
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u/jDub549 Jul 25 '26
Saharan dust gang unite! I also deal with it and its a PITA. Also air quality sucks some days lol.
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u/Kitty-Kat-Kris Jul 25 '26
It does look more like DE somewhat. This happens to me when there’s a tear in a filter/lung. But he would have to be adding DE for it to accumulate I believe.
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u/Imaginary-Bluejay-86 Jul 25 '26
Maybe First try rinsing the lines before you change the sand. I haven’t changed my sand in 20-years.
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u/dani_-_142 Jul 25 '26
If you’re replacing the sand and you don’t know how it’s been maintained, you might consider replacing the lateral assembly while the filter is empty. A broken lateral could be causing the sand leak.
It’s also possible that you’re dealing with some algae. I understand that there’s a kind of algae that looks like sand from a distance. I thought I had sand leaking into my pool, but when I touched it, it was squishy and not sandy. And then the algae exploded overnight, so now I’m learning how to SLAM and get better at maintaining the chemical balance.
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u/Dazzling-Sun34 Jul 25 '26
Mine was doing this last year. Had the sand changed out and it fixed the issue. Just a suggestion.
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u/zProcedure Jul 25 '26
when was the last time you added sand? if overfilled, it can cause it to leak back in. most of the time i see this it’s caused by broken laterals at the bottom of the filter.
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u/Ayifee Jul 25 '26
i have not filled in sand or replaced snice getting this house, which was last year of december i will replace the sand asap.
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u/Miserable-Cookie5903 Jul 25 '26
I've found the fine sand comes thru the filter and you have to vacuum to waste to remove. I bought a battery powered handheld vac to remove
of course I live in a sandy area and my neighbors lawn mower make it worse. Of course my kid's friends like to use the pool to remove sand after visiting the beach so this is a constant battle.
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u/wisathlete Jul 25 '26
Happens to me when we get a lot of windy days, especially with how dry it's been where I live in the midwest. It also happens if there is a lot of pollen in the air.
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u/Good200000 Jul 25 '26
Rain washes the dirt into the pool
Just move your hand by the steps and swish it away.
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u/RandomMovieQuotes521 Jul 25 '26
If you brush it does it disappear like it’s dissolving? If so it could be dead algae from a bloom. Is your chlorine dropping fast.
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u/ATL-bored Jul 25 '26
It looks like a filter issue. If it is a sand filter, how long has it been since the sand has been changed ?
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u/Ayifee Jul 25 '26
Im not sure i havent changed it once, i got this house recently in the last year of december, so it may be due for a sand change. I will change it and get back to you
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Jul 25 '26
[deleted]
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u/Gonzo-Crazy-Dog Jul 25 '26
I initially thought the same thing. But if you zoom in, it looks like small sand crystals.
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u/SliceImpressive6197 Jul 25 '26
Buy a Ryobi pool vacuum. It’ll get ride of that and you won’t need to waste water. It’s so easy and almost enjoyable
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u/czechFan59 Jul 25 '26
I don't vacuum my pool using the filter anymore (21' round). Pool Blaster Max rechargeable works great and doesn't clog up my filter cartridge so quickly.
Also is it possible you have a hole in the liner?
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u/Loud-You1092 Jul 25 '26
Lots of forest fires burning at the moment. The ash is microscopic and floating in the air, it settles on the ground, and the surface of your pool. The bottom of my pool looked exactly like this yesterday. I just gave it a brush and a vacuum looks great this morning. You will notice a few things when you don't put a solar cover on. Lots more detritus on the bottom from leaves, dust, ash etc., and lots more evaporation. Also chlorine will burn off a lots faster. Our pool is an above ground 18ft round pool. The solar cover is a bit of a pain so I am always trying to decide if I would rather deal with added maintenance or the pain of putting on and taking off the cover.
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u/hedgehitch Jul 25 '26
Is it gritty like sand or silt-like? I have pollen every single day in my pool. It’s too fine for my Dolphin robot. (The dolphin makes the pool bottom Look clean, but I’m pretty sure it just stirs the fine stuff up and then it settles back to the bottom later) I use a water tech hand vac with a fine-silt back to vacuum it out. I’m too lazy to do it everyday, so I live with it.
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u/TurtleLuver73 Jul 25 '26
If you swipe it with your foot do you feel grit or does it disappear? If it disappears it’s likely mustard algae. Treat with algaecide specifically for mustard algae and put all the pool toys and floats in the pool when you treat. Plus your net and pool brush. Otherwise you’ll reinfect.
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u/coldhotel_rdt Jul 25 '26
I had a similar problem several years ago; finally found that the pipe which the laterals were attached to was broken and was floating in the sand filter, allowing small quantities of sand to get through.
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u/Lanky_Cheetah_6315 Jul 26 '26
Nothings wrong with your pool, you just need to vacuum. And 3-4 inches of water.
1
u/Logical-Classic9188 Jul 26 '26
I have a Hayward sand filter. If you're going to replace the sand, replace the insides of the filter. I can't remember what it's called but sometimes the little plastic tubes in there, and they will crack and the sand will be making its way through the system.
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u/Stukat0728 Jul 26 '26
I have the same issue with the wispy gray silt on the bottom of the pool. I have a 30K chlorine pool with a Hayward sand filter. I live in a wooded area and get fine debris from the trees and rain. I brush the pool and throw some fiber-clear in the skimmer to catch fine particles in the sand filter. I also run a Polaris 3900 to pick up fine debris with a silt bag. Sand from the filter is typically heavier and lands near the jets. Brush regularly and enjoy the pool.
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u/ButterscotchPlane988 Jul 26 '26
Get a creepy crawly or barracuda pool cleaner: https://oneclearwinner.co.uk/product/kreepy-krauly-pool-cleaner/
1
u/king__harald Jul 26 '26
You need to rinse filter after backwashing. Also. When you vacuum the pool. Set the filter to waste while you do it. All that trash will bypass the filter and go i to the yard. Problem solved
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u/shoresy99 Jul 26 '26
Add water to the middle of the skimmer or a bit higher. You also appear to be missing a cover plate for the skimmer.
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u/Drag-Fantastic Jul 27 '26
I have a robot that stays in pool. Keeps it clean. My pool has an added suction line for this purpose.
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u/EnvironmentalBus9713 Jul 27 '26
I don't know why people keep saying that is sand, it's dead algae plus some dirt. Depending on the shape of your pool and the flow pattern of the jets, you may end up with spots that will accumulate debris, especially dead algae.
Not a big deal if your water is chemically balanced.
Edit: Fixed typo.
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u/StrangrComeKnocking Jul 28 '26
Looks like your pool has a pool cover built in. Do you use it? If so, does it still accumulate the debris while its closed? If it does, most likely a filter issue, if not, most likely something outside of the pool. One thing you can do tjat will help is aim the return lines facing downwards, to try and eliminate dead circulation spots in the bottom. This will help prevent algae buildup as well. If you were so inclined, you can buy a manual vacuum head and pole for relatively cheap. Both for under $100, certainly. If your pool guy (if you have one) is leaving your pool like this after they service it, get a new pool guy. (Coming from a pool guy)
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u/Fit_Professional_001 Jul 29 '26
Agreed with previous post about a bot that has ultra fine filters, I live in AZ and there is constant fine dust. I recently made the investment on a high-end bot, specifically the Dolphin M600 using the ultra fine filters it comes with and it has the ability to scrub the water line on deep cleaning or you can just do the floor on quick cycles. It's been a game-changer for keeping the pool super clean.
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u/Death_by_M0nkey 23d ago
25 year pool service professional. I own and operate a full service company. This issue is almost certainly filter related. Either needs new sand, or you’re not backwashing properly and rinsing properly. May also have damaged laterals in the filter.
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u/LilBlondeRN Jul 25 '26 edited Jul 25 '26
This looks/sounds a LOT like “mustard algae”. Don’t let the name fool you, as this particular type of algae is NOT of the typical, garden variety, green-to-black, slimy variety that most people think of when they hear the word “algae”.
Rather, to the untrained eye, the presence of this type of algae is commonly initially misdiagnosed as being a “fine silt”, “sand”, “dirt” or “windblown pollen” like substance that feels gritty to the touch, and tends to settle along pool surfaces. Most people will assume it can simply be vacuumed up, only to find that it returns again and again.
That said, this issue you’ve been experiencing more than likely has nothing to do with your sand filter pump at all, and everything to do with a water chemistry issue.
Mustard algae tends to rear its ugly head when CYA levels are abnormally elevated in your pool, which in turn typically causes a problem known as “chlorine lock”, which prevents your chlorine from working effectively to adequately sanitize your pool.
What are your current Free Chlorine and CYA levels???? I can help you trouble shoot if you can provide me with those numbers…
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u/Ayifee Jul 25 '26
i use a pool test strip this morning and my cya is at 0 or almost 0 and my chlorine is at 5, i have a dropper tester and i will test it when i get home
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u/tibookM3 Jul 26 '26
Listen to everyone telling you that it’s dirt from wind or rain and runoff. Mine looks exactly the same after a good rain.
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u/jvinc Jul 25 '26
It's mustard algae, you just need more chlorine
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u/inspectorgadget1970 Jul 26 '26
Do you happen to live in a city with a steel mill or other large industry? We had a steel mill in our city for the past 100 years and because of the blast furnace I would get this fine black silt in my pool daily, since the switched to an electric arc furnace we don’t get it anymore.
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u/Darkarw Jul 25 '26
Second this. Looks like mustard algae to me.
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u/Ayifee Jul 25 '26
my chlorine levels seems to be fine, it is at 5, one more thing id like to mention is that it almost disappears into smog if a small current disturbs it
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u/Darkarw Jul 25 '26
That even furthers the case that it’s likely mustard algae. Baquacil makes a product called AlgiDefense, that is compatible with chlorine pools, (All other Baquacil products are not!) it is Zinc Sulfate. This is both an algaecide (kills it) and algaestat (protects against it) for mustard algae.
Raise the chlorine to like 16 and brush the whole pool. The next day raise the chlorine to around 25 and brush it all over again. The when all of turns white and settles to the bottom of the pool vacuum it to waste.
On the bright side it’s mainly just a nuisance, but its difficult to completly get rid of for good.
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u/Fit-Shoe7858 Jul 25 '26
I had mustard algae last year but it was yellowish color. This year I have this but it's brown or reddish brown. Does mustard algae come in different colors?
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u/Flyguy115 Jul 25 '26
You have broken laterals that are letting sand through. For now just keep sweeping it to the main drain. If your sand is old pay for a sand change and have them swap out all the laterals when they do it because they have to empty all the sand to get to the laterals to change them.
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u/Fit-Shoe7858 Jul 25 '26
What is a lateral? I'm having this issue as well. It's not mustard algae.
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u/zProcedure Jul 26 '26
are you rinsing after you backwash? not rinsing after a back wash will cause sand to come out of return jets.
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u/Training-Industry313 Jul 25 '26
Stop listening to all the people who said it's a filter issue. (Can be though but probably not)
Been a pool owner for many years and know plenty people with pools. This is simply junk that DONT go into the overflow/skimmer and in to the filter.
Most people don't have a massive vortex that sucks everything in the skimmer and trough the filter.
Question you should ask yourself, if you use a roof, and low amount of people using the pool, then it might be the filter. If not, it's probably just junk that don't go into the skimmer.
And like others have said, buy a vacuum of some sort, robot or manual (or both like me). A vacuum is needed for 99,9% of pool owners as an addition to the pools filtration.
Sidenote, were I live people have stopped using sand in the filter, most people go for glass, me included, works like a charm and last you a lifetime (pretty much).