My Pool Water is Different Colors | Lake Havasu Pools

My Pool Water is Different Colors

Pool finish such as the colors of any glass bead or stone accents in the finish, as well as many environmental factors can have an impact on the color of the water in a pool.  Environmental factors may include the depth of the water, the time of day, and the pool’s surroundings

Water Depth and Water Color

Dark Pool Finish

When looking at shallow water, as on top steps, swim outs, and spa benches, you’re really looking at the pool finish itself and not seeing much color in the water. The water in “play pools” of 3 ½ to 6 feet deep will not have a lot of saturation either.

A black pool finish can create a gold-tone water color in very shallow water, but it will change to emerald green in the deep end of the pool. If you use the same finish in a pool and an attached spa, you’ll notice that the water color changes with the depth of the water. The color of the water becomes more dramatic as the water gets deeper.

Time, Space & Weather

Sunny days create very vibrant water color. In addition to the sun bringing out the color, the pool surface also clearly reflects the color of the sky above. The color of the sky will be different based on the time of year and the region. Overcast conditions or shady areas can make the pool water look more gray, more blue, or somewhat dull and lifeless. In these cases, what you see is the color of the pool finish, not the water. Depending on the angle of the sun on the pool, early morning and late afternoon light can make the pool appear warmer or darker.

Pool Reflections

The area surrounding a pool can have a huge effect on the color of the water. Houses, walls, fences, and foliage near the pool can all be reflected on the pool’s surface which can appear to affect the color of the water. Greenery will as you may have guessed  make the water appear green. A pool surrounded by trees will nearly always appear greener and darker than it actually is. Desert landscaping can appear to give pool water a green tone too.

Glass Bead and Stone Accents

Want a bright and vivid pool color? Adding colored glass beads and accent stones can make the water color more than you can imagine.

Startups and Acid Washes

The processes professionals use for startups and/or acid washing a pool can greatly impact the finish and ultimately the color of the water. An aggressive acid wash can really darken the pool finish and the pool water.

Startup techniques can affect the amount of scale in a pool which will ultimately affect the look of the finish and the water color. Scale is actually plaster dust or calcium carbonate, a deposit of calcium hydroxide on the surface of the pool and is typically white or light in color. When it is allowed to build up on the surface of a pigmented pool finish, it can lighten the color or sometimes mask the color completely which will change the water color as well.

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