It was a bright Saturday morning when the call came in. A homeowner swore up and down that they were “doing everything right,” yet their pool looked like a giant bubble bath. Bubbles in places they should not be, clinging to the surface, swirling in the returns, mocking their owner’s confidence. This was the case of bubbles that didn’t belong and I was on it.
Chapter One: The Clues
The first thing I noticed was the frothy sheen on the surface of the water. It was almost pretty, if you ignored the fact that it looked like a chemical spill from a bad sci-fi movie. The homeowner stood nearby, arms crossed, insisting they always balanced the water perfectly.
Here were the clues staring me in the face:
- Fine bubbles spewing from the returns.
- Foam collecting in corners.
- A faint smell of soap or detergent.
- Water that felt slippery to the touch.
Each of these pointed to a common culprit that most pool owners overlook. The homeowner kept repeating: “I shocked the pool, I ran the pump, I even cleaned the filter!” But something did not add up.
Chapter Two: The Interrogation
I started asking questions. That’s when the truth began to unravel.
The Skimmer Basket Confession
“When was the last time you emptied the skimmer basket?” I asked.
They hesitated. “A week ago? Maybe more?”
Strike one. A clogged skimmer can trap debris and even harbor soap residue from people swimming with sunscreen or shampoo still on their bodies. Those trapped oils and detergents break down and create foam.
The Filter Fiasco
I then moved on to the filter. “When was it backwashed?”
Another pause. “It’s… been a while. But the pressure gauge looked okay.”
Strike two. A dirty filter can prevent the pool from properly circulating water and filtering out contaminants. What may seem like normal pressure can still mask hidden gunk inside the filter media.
The Chemical Catastrophe
Next, I asked about their maintenance routine. “What do you usually add after it rains or after a party?”
“Oh, I pour in extra algaecide. You know, just in case.”
Strike three. Too much algaecide or the wrong type can create, you guessed it, foam and bubbles that linger for days.
Chapter Three: The Undercover Evidence
Not satisfied yet, I checked the water myself. I used a proper test kit and found:
- pH slightly low
- Alkalinity unbalanced
- Residual algaecide off the charts
- Signs of oils and residues
There it was. A perfect storm of neglect and overcompensation. The homeowner meant well but had sabotaged their own pool.
Chapter Four: The Solution
Now that the mystery was solved, it was time to clean up the mess.
Step 1: Stop Adding Stuff
No more random chemicals. Stop dumping in algaecide “just because.” Follow the label and measure.
Step 2: Clean Everything
Empty the skimmer basket and pump basket. Backwash the filter or clean cartridge thoroughly.
Step 3: Shock The Right Way
Shock the pool properly using a recommended dose. Do not eyeball it. And wait at least 24 hours before letting anyone swim.
Step 4: Skim And Brush
Physically remove foam with a leaf net and brush the walls and floor to help the filter do its job.
Step 5: Test And Balance
Test the water after each step. Make small, measured adjustments until the water chemistry is back in balance.
Checklist For Avoiding Bubble Trouble
If you want to avoid another bubble mystery, here is your simple checklist:
- Empty skimmer and pump baskets weekly.
- Backwash or clean your filter regularly.
- Do not overdose on chemicals like algaecide or clarifiers.
- Encourage swimmers to rinse off before entering the pool.
- Test water at least twice a week, more often after heavy use or rain.
- Shock the pool when needed, but always measure.
Case Closed
The bubbles are gone. The water is calm again. The homeowner finally sees what went wrong, and even though their ego took a hit, their pool recovered beautifully.
It turns out pools, much like mysteries, demand patience, attention to detail, and the willingness to stop assuming you already know everything. When you see bubbles that do not belong, do not just blame the rain or the last person who swam. Investigate. Ask the right questions. Fix the right problems.
And the next time your pool starts looking like a bubble bath, remember: the clues were there all along.
Case closed.
