Chapter One: The Clues
The homeowner was certain their pool was perfect. Pump running. Chemicals balanced. Water tested twice a week. But every night, the lights revealed a different story. Tiny particles swirled like underwater dust storms, catching in the glow.
Chapter Two: The Interrogation
I asked the routine questions. Was the filter cleaned recently? Yes. Do you vacuum regularly? Of course. Have you checked the return jets? They swore everything was fine. Still, those nighttime swirls told me the water was not circulating the way it should.
Chapter Three: The Red Herring
At first, I suspected poor lighting exaggerating harmless particles. Then I considered an overworked filter. But the filter was in good shape, and the lighting had not changed. The answer had to be hiding in the system itself.
Chapter Four: The Breakthrough
While inspecting the return jets, I found two pointing straight up and one barely pushing water at all. The weak flow was from a partially blocked line. Without proper circulation, debris was settling during the day and lifting into the water at night when the lights hit it.
Quick Fix: Make sure all return jets are angled to push water in a circular pattern, and inspect lines for partial blockages at least once a season.
Chapter Five: The Evidence
After clearing the blockage and adjusting the jets, the nighttime test told a different story. No more shimmering clouds of debris, just calm, healthy water under the lights.
Chapter Six: Case Closed
The pool had looked fine by day because the sunlight masked the flaws. But at night, the lights told the truth. Circulation was the culprit, and fixing it turned mystery into routine maintenance.
Detective’s Checklist:
- Check return jet angles and water flow regularly.
- Inspect for partial blockages each season.
- Do a nighttime light test to spot hidden debris.
- Keep the filter clean and in good condition.
- Remember: the pool can hide its secrets until the lights come on.
And with that, the case was closed, and the homeowner could finally enjoy the pool day or night without surprises.
