5 Common Indoor Pool Problems & How to Handle Them
Here are 5 indoor pool problems and how to avoid them going forward.
1) Indoor Pools Odor
The worst thing is to walk into a hotel or a vacation home and smell an extra pungent chlorine smell or other unexpected smell. Noticing such a smell can give you an indication of how well the facility is taking care of their pool. Do all pool have odors? Of course. But should people be able to smell them immediately? Not really. If the pool smells, and that smell is disagreeable, there is something wrong. Many times, pool users can observe a rancid pool smell and if their eyes become irritated once they make contact, the issue can increasingly become worse.
So, what’s the problem boil down to? Many times, not all, bad pools smell and irritated eyes are the result of improper water balance. Also, when there are chloramines, or chlorine and bromine combined, these form additional nitrogen waste at times. Furthermore, extra waste reduces sanitation and all one can smell is chlorine. Although a chlorine smell is fine, it is not entirely pleasant for people visiting to smell rapidly and continually.
2) Indoor Pools Need Oxidation Too
Did you know that indoor pools need to be shocked more often than outdoor pools? Yes! That’s where oxidation comes in. Oxidation, or shocking a pool, tackles waste like body oils, perfumes, etc., and oxidizes it back into the air safely. But is oxidized waste that’s released back into the air inside an indoor pool safe? What happens as this waste hits your home’s fan, windows, doors, etc.?
With an extended time of excess heat and waste being emitted into a room that isn’t properly ventilated, foul smells and other issues take over. Therefore, always conduct a monthly shock for your indoor pool to remove all the gunk that infiltrates your indoor pool area, and by extension, your home or business.
3) User Filth
User filth is how many pool users utilize the indoor pool at the same time. Pools for commercial use gain greater traffic. Therefore, the more people enjoy a pool, the more filth gets left behind. Shocking is usually done two to three times a week in commercial pools, depending on use.
Furthermore, shocking is essential for large parties or events take place where many people used a pool. And even though pools for home use get used less than commercial pools, they still must be shocked consistently.
Free Tip: DO NOT place your pool cover back over your pool for at least 5 hours after oxidation.
4) Indoor Pools Maintenance
Indoor pools have a luxurious feel to them, and when it comes to maintenance, they require a little extra too. Why do indoor pools need more maintenance? Depleted sun exposure, extended traffic, and the belief that “indoor” means “impenetrable.”
- Regular oxidation combats the lack of sun exposure
- Clean your indoor pool regularly (vacuum your pool interior each week).
- If vacuuming won’t work, brush your pool walls to break apart algae or other buildups.
- Chemically clean your filter every four months with a good quality filter cleaner.
- Pool covers and solar blankets need maintenance too. Solar blankets need chemical cleaning too at least twice annually.
5) Indoor Pools Humidity
Dehumidification
As with maintenance and design, indoor pools require more humidity control monitoring. Did you know that many indoor pools have dehumidifiers? Dehumidifiers help swimming pools maintain about 50% relative humidity or RH. Furthermore, dehumidifiers heat or cool the surrounding air to a designated point temperature. It’s important to maintain your dehumidifier and prevent further damage in the future.
Free Tip: Try to have an annual dehumidifier check-up by a certified HVAC/R contractor.