Why Is Dirt Always Blowing Into My Pool? (And How To Fix)

Owning a pool is like having a slice of paradise in your backyard. Not only is it a great place for entertaining, exercising, and cooling off on hot summer days, but it’s also a beautiful water feature. Unfortunately, dirt from your yard can get into the pool, turning it into a filthy eyesore.

Using the wrong plants and ground cover can cause more dirt to enter your pool, as can overgrown trees and hedges. Holes in window screens and a lack of protection can also allow dirt to enter your pool. Consider using gravel and stones instead of mulch and soil, and choose plants that don’t shed. Run your pool pump more frequently, and ensure your filter is cleaned regularly.

If you have a pool, then you already know that it takes a lot of effort to keep it clean. While regular pool maintenance is unavoidable, there are plenty of ways you can reduce the amount of dirt and debris in your pool. Before you determine ways to reduce the amount of dirt that enters your pool, you must understand what’s causing the problem in the first place.

Eight Reasons There Is Dirt And Debris In Your Pool

1. The Wrong Landscaping Near Your Pool

One of the main reasons you may find a lot of dirt in your pool is landscaping mistakes. While it’s a great idea to add plants near your pool to improve ambiance and privacy, some plants are better than others. When you grow plants near your pool, avoid leaving exposed soil within six feet of it. If you have lots of potted plants or gardens around the pool that contain dirt and mulch, it's highly likely that dirt and debris will regularly blow into the pool. 

2. When You Mow The Lawn

Always mow your lawn carefully. It helps promote safety and prevents you from mowing over objects that can damage your mower. If you own a pool, especially an inground one, be extra vigilant when cutting grass near it. Mowers generate wind, and can cause grass, dirt, mulch, and other organic matter to blow several feet. If you mow quickly and carelessly next to your pool, then there’s a strong possibility you’ll see all sorts of filth in the water later on.

3. Holes In Your Pool Screen

Many pools have a screened-in dome. These netted domes are highly effective at keeping mosquitoes out of this enclosed space. They can also help keep dirt, leaves, and other natural debris out of the area. If a pool screen is old and poorly maintained, dirt can get into the pool area. Wind, rain, and time will all force natural matter through the holes in a window screen and into the pool water.

4. Poor Pool Circulation

No matter how tidy your landscaping is, dirt will inevitably find its way into your pool. The key is to have ample water circulation. The more the water moves around, the faster debris gets into vents and filters. If your pool doesn’t have adequate circulation, dirt will stagnate in the water. Even if only a moderate amount of organic matter enters your pool, it can take a very long time to exit when circulation is poor.

5. A Filter Issue

In addition to circulation, the pool's filter could be another technical reason why you’re noticing so much dirt in your pool. The primary job of the filter is to remove foreign objects from the pool and keep the water clean.  A clogged, dirty, or old filter may struggle to keep up. Eventually, it may not be able to remove even the smallest amounts of dirt from your pool.

6. No Pool Screen Or Protective Barrier

If you have no barrier around your pool, whether it's a pool screen or roof, then you are far more likely to find dirt and debris in the water. Just as you invested in your pool, you should know that most people invest in the surrounding area as well. If you have a pool with no protection, then you leave it completely exposed to the elements. One result of this is dirt and debris in the pool.

7. A Windy Climate

Sometimes the natural elements are to blame for dirt in your pool. If you live in a climate that experiences frequent wind gusts, there’s always a higher probability that debris will blow into the water. If your pool is in an exposed, windy area or experiences frequent flooding when it rains, you will likely find more dirt in the water than if it were in a more protected space.

8. Nearby Trees And Plants Are Overgrown

Trees and large perennials can contribute to your pool’s dirty water problem. Trees lose leaves, twigs, bark, and dirt over time, as do large hedges. All perennials shed, and if they aren’t trimmed regularly, they can extend dangerously close to your pool. If you have large trees with branches that overhang your pool, you will have more natural waste in the water than usual.

Seven Effective Ways To Keep Dirt And Debris Out Of Your Pool

1. Switch Up Your Landscaping

One of the best ways to reduce dirt and debris in your pool is to adjust the landscaping around it. If you have garden beds and pots with exposed dirt, it’s smart to make some changes. Remedy the situation with ground cover plants, or create borders around these beds. Opt for plants that provide privacy but shed less and don’t require nutrient-rich soil, and instead can survive in various conditions.

2. Install Or Repair Screens

If dirt and debris are sneaking in through window screens, then spend some money to repair them. Replace pool screens every 5 to 10 years. If you notice small holes, patch them up. Maintaining the screens will not only help keep dirt out of your pool but also keep bugs and other pests away.

3. Be Careful When Mowing​​ The Lawn

Since your lawn mower can easily blow dirt and debris into your pool, be careful when mowing near your pool. Consider covering the pool when you mow, or use a weed whacker in spots near the pool to reduce the amount of dirt that blows into the water.

4. Keep Trees And Landscaping Trimmed

You should always keep the trees and bushes near your pool trimmed. If there are branches directly over your pool, cut them. Keeping your nearby landscaping pruned and tidy will help reduce the amount of natural debris that lands in the water.

5. Use Stones And Gravel Instead Of Mulch

Mulch is lightweight and just as likely to fall into your pool as dirt. Instead of using a lightweight mulch, opt for river stones, various types of gravel, or lava rock. These materials look great, last a long time, protect plant roots, and are too heavy to move on a windy day.

6. Clean Your Pool Filter Regularly

Your pool’s filter can’t prevent dirt from entering the water, but it’s incredible effective at removing it. To keep dirt from lingering on the bottom or floating on the surface, ensure the filter is functioning optimally. Maintaining it is part of regular DIY pool maintenance. Clean the filter often, and ensure it is properly maintained and replaced regularly. 

7. Run Pool Pump Frequently

Most pool owners have a pool pump running on a daily schedule, but having it on all day can cost a fortune, so it’s best to run it for only part of the day. If you notice the water always contains dirt after the pump turns off, consider leaving it on longer. The longer you leave your pool pump on, the more the water (and debris) will circulate towards the filter.

Summing Up Why Dirt Is Always Blowing Into Your Pool

Your pool should be a blissful private sanctuary when the weather is warm and sunny. When dirt keeps blowing into your pool, it makes the water less desirable to swim in, and it certainly doesn’t look good. Dirt can blow into your pool when you mow your lawn, or if you live in a windy region. If you have potted plants or landscaping with exposed soil near your pool, then you can expect more dirt in your pool water.

To reduce dirt in your pool, be smart about your landscaping and opt for rocks or gravel rather than mulch or exposed dirt. Be careful when you mow your lawn, and trim nearby branches and bushes regularly.

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