swimming pool foam and scum - swimming pool problems with foaming water and scum formation

Foaming and scum formation are serious detractions from the goal of crystal clear swimming pool water. A few pool chemicals: biguanide and "quat" algaecides do cause very low levels of foam. This level of foaming is not excessive and is fairly inconspicuous. However, if there is an air leak in the return lines, this can lead to a higher level of pool water foaming and the creation of unacceptable water conditions. While an anti-foam can help, the problem is more of a mechanical nature - fix the air leak! Scum formation occurs when body oils, cosmetic residues, waste and chemical byproducts conspire to form insoluble materials. It is not, usually, a major problem and can be controlled and eliminated with the use of cleaning agents or enzyme products. Clicking on the underlined and highlighted "keywords" or "catch phrases," in the archived answers will give you access to additional information on that topic or product. Please refer to the Glossary, if there are terms or phrases that require explanation. For an alphabetized listing of the entire contents of the website, use the Table of Contents link, on top of every page.

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Alan: After opening our pool this spring, I have noticed bubbles coming out of the pool jets the entire time the pump is running. We have a 30,000 gal pool on a sand filter. Is the problem due to some sort of leak in my system? The pool is equipped with an ionizer. Thanks.

You mentioned that you have an ionizer and that should rule out the possibility of an algaecide causing the pool water foaming. It would not be unusual for this problem to occur, after the springtime pool opening. I suspect that there is an air leak in the suction line(s) - somewhere between the skimmers and the filter. Check all the connections. Good luck and I hope that I have been helpful.

I was just wondering what is the best chemical solution for cleaning my pool. To get all the body oil's and lotion off, along with the scum.

Shock treatment could remove some of the deposits. A pool cleaner, formulated not to cause foaming, could help remove some. However, the best choice might be an enzyme product. There are products that allow enzymes to be added to the pool water, where they will help decompose oily residues. AquaPill has a convenient enzyme treatment, in a self-dispending pill, that you simple add to the skimmer. Some cleaning products contain enzymes, as well. The enzyme approach would be my choice. Good luck and I hope that the recommendations help.

I think that some of the neighborhood kids threw some bubble bath or detergent into my pool. The foaming just happened so quickly, so I'm fairly certain that's what happened. Is there something that you can recommend to deal with all of this froth? I need help. Thanks.

I guarantee nothing, but here are a few things to try. Adding an Anti-Foam Product (used in spas) will help knock down the foam, but is not a cure all. Adding an Enzyme Product will help digest or decompose the foaming agent, but it will act slowly. Add a dose of "quat" algaecide (dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride) to the pool. This product is incompatible, with both the bubble bath and detergent, and will chemically react with those materials. This will, most likely, cause cloudiness that should be treated with shock and one of those "Blue Clarifiers." Follow up with an Enzyme Product. Good luck with the problem.

Hi Alan, my name is Carlos, and I have a pool. I've emailed you once before and you were a great help at answering my question. What you do is really nice. I've been searching around your site to try to find an answer to my new question. Recently, I started to notice that small little bubbles would appear in the pool, when I would make little splashes. It looks as if it had some kind of soap or something. I was wondering if you know of any problems like this. If so, what solutions are there? My pool is about 20x35 (estimate) and it is inground vinyl lined. I also have noticed small little indentations at the pool floor slightly larger than a quarter. I've read on your site that it could be from erosion of the sand caused by rain. Is there any solution to this problem, as well? Thank you for your help.

Most likely the bubbles are caused by the use of "quat" algaecides. Products with ingredients similar to dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride have a tendency to foam. It doesn't sound severe, so I suggest that you discontinue use of all such products. Eventually, the problem will dissipate. Not all algaecides cause foaming. Try using a chelated copper or polymer algaecide instead. The problem with depressions does not appear to be erosion, as that would not be limited to spots. Possibly the depressions are due to toys, certain activities or a pool vacuum. There isn't much that you can do about this, if it is as you described. You might try using a toilet plunger, to tug on the spots, in order to smooth out the liner. I hope that this information will be of assistance.

We have been trying to "open" our pool for approximately one week and cannot seem to keep the pump working because it keeps clogging up with foam. The foam appears to lay on the surface and has a scummy appearance when the pump is not being used. When the pump is running, the foam gets worse - much worse! The water is very cloudy and is bluish/green in color. We have tried adding shock to up the chlorine level, but that only worsened the situation. We have tried adding a multi-purpose product, but that only helped temporarily. Most recently, we have tried draining a good bit of the water and refilling it with fresh water. Nothing seems to help! The pool is approximately 44,000 gallons. Comments, suggestions? Please send. Thank you!

You have more than one problem: algae, no filtration and probably an air leak in the return line. Start by raising the Free Chlorine level to 5-10 PPM. Add 4-5 pounds of shock every few hours, until the Free Chlorine is raised and maintained. If necessary, set the filter to recirculate, but keep the water moving. The algae is clogging the filter. Make some progress on the Free Chlorine front and the battle over the filter will be solved. Clean the filter, as needed. A leak in the suction line(s) can cause foaming. The algae is not helping and, if you added a "quat" algaecide, it may have contributed to the foaming. Check all connections. I hope that the information will prove helpful.

I recently use a tile soap [mixed with acid and water] to clean my pool tile. My surprise that they don't use a low/no sudsing formula. My pool now has bubble [originating at the hot tub pour-over] that it NEVER had. I've added a defoamer once, which worked pretty well, but then the bubbles returned rather quickly. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

Todd G, 2/16/2005

If the product was intended to clean shower tiles, the end result is not unexpected. In a shower the suds go down the drain. In a pool, the suds end up in the water. If the product was intended for pool use, it could or "should" have been formulated with low foaming detergents. Antifoam will help, but is only temporary. Try adding an enzyme product to the pool, as this can help digest (decompose) materials causing the problem. It may take a while to make a noticeable difference. Good luck and I hope that I have been of some assistance.

About 2 weeks ago I washed my pool filter with simple green soap. Although, I thought I rinsed thoroughly, small patches of foam appeared and the inlet water is cloudy. I have added water and algaecide, but it only got worse. I tried shocking the pool and adding clarifier, with no results. I have scooped a lot of foam out of the pool but it keeps foaming. I was told to put in a new filter, however, the soap appears to be in the water in probably no longer in the filter. I live in Florida with a high water table so draining is tricky. Any suggestions would be appreciated. The local pool store is without answers. Thank you.

Mike K., Florida, 4/24/2009

Shut off the pump and add a water hose to the bottom of the pool. Add water, until the pool overflows. That could take much of the problem out of the pool. Add a dose of an enzyme treatment to help decompose any remaining soap. Use some spa antifoam, if still needed. Good luck.

Alan Schuster, 4/24/2009

Hi Alan. Tried the water hose with the pump off. It appears to greatly solve my problem. Thank you for the advice and the prompt reply.

Mike K., Florida, 4/25/2009

Dear Alan, I found your website after searching for a reason for the frothy foam in my inground pool. The pool company opened our pool last week, and as soon as the water level was high enough and I turned the filter on, foam formation began. After a few days of this, I called them and they gave me a bottle of defoamer. This worked when applied, but the next day I had foam again. The foam does dissipate when the filter has not been on for a significant amount of time. When I contacted them again, they said to let the filter keep running, that perhaps someone had "added soap and pulled a prank." They said they do not use algaecides that foam, and insinuated that this was somehow MY fault. I find this highly unlikely, as my pool area is very secure, and I have done nothing to the pool except turn on the filter. They also closed my pool last fall for me. In addition, when I emptied the skimmer today, I noticed a gummy greenish-gray substance inside the walls of the skimmer. I have no idea what this may be. Could it be related to the foam? It has been suggested to me that the wrong kind of algaecide was added when the pool was opened (they did add a quart, although I don't know the brand). Your website also mentioned a leaky air return. Do you have any suggestions for me? Should I continue to wait to see if the foam goes away, or contact the company that opened the pool again and maybe suggest to them that they check the air flow? Thanks for your help. I found your website extremely helpful and well organized! Sincerely.

It is not possible to rule out vandalism. It does happen! The "gummy" material could be coagulated dead algae and debris. A shock treatment could be in order. As for the blame, no one has to be at fault. Algaecides that contain ingredients like or similar to dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride are known to cause some pool water foaming. Usually it is at acceptably low levels: that is unless there is a leak in the suction line(s). It would not be unusual to have such a leak after a dormant winter and spring startup. The antifoam will help and, if it is due to an algaecide, it will taper off. The algaecide could have been part of the winter closing or the spring opening. I suggest that you shock the pool and give it a bit more time. If things do not improve, get back to me and we'll try something. Algaecides such as polymer based, chelated copper and silver do not cause foamy swimming pool water problems. Something to consider, in the future? To better assure proper overall pool water chemistry, visit a pool store that has a very reliable, professional lab such as a WaterLink or Pinpoint system, rather than a less accurate test kit or strip reader. To locate a dealer near you, go to: www.lamotte.com/pages/pool/expdeal/index.html I hope that I have been of assistance. Good luck.

We just moved into a house with an in-ground swimming pool. Our old house had an above-ground pool. One of the things that I disliked about the old pool was the foamy water problems caused by using an algaecide. I don't want to ruin the look of this pool. Are there algaecides that don't foam? Willing to listen.

Actually, there are algaecides that do not cause foam. The best choices are: polymer (polyquat) algaecides or chelated copper algaecides. The polymer algaecides are more expensive, but are highly effective against most types of algae. The chelated copper algaecides are very cost-effective and are excellent in vinyl pools and for use against the common varieties of algae, as well as mustard algae. While it is true that the very common "quat" algaecides do have a tendency to foam, it is not normally problematic or unsightly. In those instances, where unsightly pool water foaming is occurring, it is highly probable that there is an air leak in the suction(s) line. A pinhole sized leak can allow air to be sucked in and this, in turn, leads to aeration and foaming. Something worth checking into? I hope that I have been of assistance.

Our pool pump/filter was not working for a while, and during that time our pool became green. We now have our pump/filter working, so we began the process of "de-greening" our pool. Well, in this process, we used too much algaecide in our pool. We now have a very fine soapy film on the pool. Help!! I have backwashed several times, but I can not seem to get it cleared up. It is getting better with each battle, but is there anything else I can do? Or, should I just keep backwashing, several times a day, and shocking each day until it clears up. Thanks.

My pool has some sticky, oily deposits around the water and in the skimmer. I think I know what it is. I try to keep the use of sun lotions to a minimum, if I plan on going into the water. The kids - that's another matter. Any suggestions?

You are probably correct that excessive use of oily sun tan products could have lead to the deposits. Chemical byproducts can react with these residues, as well as wastes, debris and contamination, causing a problem with "scum" deposits. Various pool cleaning products are available to help clean the water line areas. The best products are those that are formulated so as not to cause pool water foaming. Some of the cleaning products use enzymes to help with the removal. In addition, there are enzyme products that can be added directly to the water and will help digest and decompose oily, organic residues. Good luck. Enjoy the summer!

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