Why Does My Pool Water Feel Sticky?

Sticky water can be caused by oils, lotions, or imbalanced water chemistry. Shock the pool and use our Weekly Enzyme Treatment to break down organic contaminants.

Why Does Pool Water Feel Sticky?

When pool water feels sticky, it is typically the result of an imbalance in the water’s chemical levels or contaminants that haven’t been properly filtered out. Here are some of the most common causes:

1. High Levels of Chlorine or Chloramines

Chlorine is an essential pool chemical used to disinfect and sanitize the water. However, when the chlorine level is too high, or if chloramines (a byproduct of chlorine combining with organic matter like sweat, oils, and urine) are present, the water can feel sticky.

• Symptoms of high chlorine: If your pool water has a strong chlorine smell and feels sticky or slimy, it may indicate that the chlorine level is too high.
  

• Chloramines: When chlorine combines with organic matter, it forms chloramines, which can make the water feel irritating and sticky. Chloramines can also cause eye and skin irritation.
  

• Fix: To fix high chlorine or chloramine levels, first test your pool water using a test strip or liquid test kit. If the chlorine level is too high, allow it to naturally dissipate by exposing the water to sunlight or dilute it with fresh water. If chloramines are present, shock the pool with chlorine to break them down.
  

2. Imbalanced pH or Alkalinity

When the pH or alkalinity levels in your pool are out of balance, it can result in a sticky feeling. Low pH makes the water acidic, and high alkalinity can create a soapy or slimy sensation on your skin.

• Symptoms of low pH: Water that is too acidic (pH below 7.2) can feel sharp or burning on the skin and may also damage pool equipment over time.
  

• Symptoms of high pH: High pH can cause scaling, cloudy water, and reduce the effectiveness of chlorine.
  

• Fix: Test and balance the pH and alkalinity levels of the pool water. The ideal pH range is 7.4 to 7.6, and the ideal alkalinity range is 80 to 120 ppm. Use a pH increaser (soda ash) or decreaser (muriatic acid) to adjust pH, and use sodium bicarbonate or muriatic acid to adjust alkalinity.
  

3. Contaminants and Body Oils

Your pool water can feel sticky if contaminants like body oils, lotions, sunscreens, and sweat build up over time. These substances can coat the skin, giving the water a slimy feeling.

• Symptoms of contaminants: If the water feels slimy even after chlorine has been added, body oils and other organic materials could be present in high concentrations.
  

• Fix: To solve this issue, regularly clean the pool by skimming the surface to remove debris, and vacuum the bottom of the pool. It’s also important to ensure that the pool filter is working effectively to remove oils and other contaminants.
  

4. High Calcium Hardness

High calcium hardness levels in pool water can cause scaling and a sticky, slimy feel. Calcium hardness refers to the amount of dissolved calcium in the water, and high levels can cause water to feel slippery or gritty.

• Symptoms of high calcium hardness: When the calcium level is too high, it can cause the water to feel hard and leave deposits on pool surfaces and equipment.
  

• Fix: Test the calcium hardness level, which should be between 200 and 400 ppm. If the calcium hardness is too high, you can partially drain the pool and refill it with fresh water to dilute the calcium, or use a calcium-reducing product.
  

5. Poor Water Circulation

If your pool’s circulation system is not working properly, it can lead to stagnant water, allowing contaminants to accumulate. This can result in sticky, murky water that feels uncomfortable.

• Symptoms of poor circulation: If your pool feels sticky and dirty despite regular cleaning, your filtration system may not be functioning properly.
  

• Fix: Check your pool’s circulation system, including the pump, filter, and skimmer. Clean or replace the filter as needed, and ensure that the pump is running efficiently to keep water moving through the system.
  

How to Fix Sticky Pool Water

If you’re dealing with sticky pool water, there are several steps you can take to fix the problem and restore your pool to its ideal condition.

1. Test and Adjust Chemical Levels

The first step is to test the water using a pool test kit. Check the chlorine, pH, alkalinity, and calcium hardness levels, and make adjustments as needed.

• Use a test kit: Pool test kits are widely available and easy to use. Test the water and adjust each chemical level according to the recommended ranges.
  

• Balance chemicals: Use the appropriate chemicals to raise or lower the pH, alkalinity, or chlorine level. Ensure that your pool’s sanitizer levels are in the correct range for disinfection.
  

2. Shock the Pool

If chloramines or organic contaminants are present in the pool, it may be necessary to shock the pool. Shocking the pool introduces a high dose of chlorine to break down contaminants and kill bacteria.

• How to shock: Use a chlorine shock product and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the correct dosage based on your pool’s size. Run the pump and filter for several hours to help distribute the shock evenly.
  

• When to shock: Shock your pool when the water feels sticky or when chlorine levels drop below the recommended range.
  

3. Clean Your Pool Filters

Your pool filter plays an important role in removing debris and contaminants from the water. If the filter is clogged or inefficient, it may not be effectively removing oils and other substances that contribute to sticky water.

• How to clean the filter: Remove the filter and rinse it with a hose. If you have a cartridge filter, soak it in a filter cleaning solution. For sand filters, backwash them according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
  

• Frequency: Clean your filter regularly, at least once a month or more frequently depending on your pool’s usage.
  

4. Maintain Proper Pool Circulation

Ensure that your pool’s circulation system is working effectively to prevent water stagnation.

• Check the pump and filter: Make sure the pump is running properly and that the filter is in good working condition.
  

• Regular circulation: Run the pool pump for at least 8 hours a day to maintain proper water circulation.
  

5. Regularly Clean and Maintain the Pool

Routine cleaning of your pool is essential to prevent sticky water. Skim debris from the surface, vacuum the pool floor, and scrub the tiles to remove oils and grime.

• Skimming: Use a skimmer net to remove leaves, insects, and other debris from the surface of the water.
  

• Vacuuming: Vacuum the pool floor once a week to remove dirt and debris that may be contributing to the sticky feeling.
  

• Brushing: Scrub the walls, tiles, and the waterline to remove any buildup of oils and grime.
  

Preventing Sticky Pool Water in the Future

Once your pool water is restored to normal, it’s essential to maintain regular maintenance to prevent future issues with sticky water:

• Shower before swimming: Encourage swimmers to shower before entering the pool to remove body oils and lotions.
  

• Monitor water quality: Test the water regularly to ensure that the pH, alkalinity, and chlorine levels are in the optimal range.
  

• Regularly clean the pool: Keep up with weekly cleaning, including skimming, vacuuming, and brushing.

• Use a pool cover: Use a pool cover when the pool is not in use to minimize debris, dirt, and contaminants.