Pool Care

How to Kill Algae in your Pool (Get rid of a Green Pool)

If you're dealing with algae in your pool, here's a step-by-step guide to getting rid of it and restoring your pool to its crystal-clear state

One Minute Read Summary

•Vacuum the pool to get rid of algae-infested areas, paying extra attention to corners and shady spots.

•Brush the walls and floor of the pool. Use a stainless steel brush for the best results

•Test alkalinity and pH levels in order to ensure the sanitizer is effective against algae.

•Shock the water using chlorine or calcium hypochlorite shock that has been calculated according to manufacturer instructions based on the size of the pool.

•Run the filter for a minimum of 8 hours until the water clears up after shock treatment; check chemical levels afterward and adjust as needed before cleaning the filter thoroughly prior to reusing it again.  

•Common types of Pool Algae include green, black, yellow/mustard & pink which can be removed by proper chemical treatment & regular brushing respectively

Read below for more information

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Steps to get rid of algae (What to do if your Pool Water is Green)

1: Vacuum the Pool

Ditch the automatic pool cleaner and grab the manual vacuum. Set your filter setting to "Waste" and start scrubbing away at those algae-infested areas, paying extra attention to corners and shady spots. Be sure to refill your pool as you go to keep the water level halfway up the skimmer.

Here is a step-by-step guide on How to vacuum a Pool

2: Brush the Pool

A stiff-bristled brush is your best friend when it comes to scrubbing away algae. Brush the walls and floor of your pool, focusing on corners and crevices. If you have a concrete or gunite pool, use a brush with stainless steel bristles for the best results.

3: Balance the water

Test your alkalinity and pH levels and make sure they're in the sweet spot. This will ensure that your sanitizer is effective against algae.

Here is a step-by-step guide on How to balance the pool water

4: Shock the Pool

The key to killing algae is super-chlorination. You can use chlorine or calcium hypochlorite shock.

You'll want to figure out how much chlorine or shock to add! To do this like a pro, all you need is the size of your pool and instructions from the shock product manufacturer—and don't forget that every chemical shock product has its own set of guidelines. So remember: read labels thoroughly!

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to shock a pool

5: Filter the water

After the shock treatment, your water may turn cloudy. Don't worry, that's just dead algae. Run your filter for a minimum of 8 hours or until the water clears up.

6: Test the water

Check your chemical levels and make sure they're balanced. Adjust as needed.

Here is a step-by-step guide on How to Test the Pool water

7: Clean the filter

Your filter just went through a lot of work, so give it a good cleaning before putting it back into action.

Here is a step-by-step guide on How to Clean a Pool filter

Pool algae is like the uninvited guest that just won't leave. It's the green, slimy stuff that appears on the walls and floor of your pool, making your crystal-clear pool look more like a science experiment gone wrong. But have no fear, because understanding the causes of pool algae is the first step in getting rid of it for good.

What is to Shock a Pool?

Shocking is the process of adding extra chlorine to kill germs, contaminants, and all those pesky pollutants in a swimming pool. When you shock it right, there will be no strong chlorine smell and no green - just pure blue waters. So if your pool is turning green, or smells too 'bleachy’, or after testing the water shows zero free chlorine levels, make sure to give it some love (and shock) so that it can remain safe for everyone who jumps into it. Follow this guide

What causes algae in your pool?

First and foremost, the main cause of pool algae is the presence of excess nutrients in the water. This can include things like leaves, grass, and other debris that blow into the pool, as well as an improper balancing of your pool's pH and chlorine levels. Also If the water in your pool is not circulating properly, it can create areas where algae can grow and thrive. This can be caused by a malfunctioning pump or filter, or even just not running them for long enough each day. Finally, it can also be introduced by swimwear or objects that were used in a natural source of water like a river, lake, or ocean.

Types of Pool Algae

Green algae is the most common type of pool algae. It can be found growing on the walls and floors of the pool and is often described as looking like a green slime. Green algae is typically the easiest to get rid of

Black algae, which is a bit more stubborn is often found growing in small, isolated spots and can be difficult to remove because it has a hard, protective coating. To tackle black algae, you'll need more than one deep clean and a stiff-bristled brush to scrub the affected areas.

Yellow or mustard algae is known for its yellow or brown color and often appears in your pool like a stain. This rare type of algae is chlorine-resistant. It can be removed with extra shock treatment and regular brushing.

Pink algae is a type of bacteria that can grow in pools. It appears as a result of bad pool maintenance and pool water circulation. It can be removed with a combination of proper chemical treatment specifically the Ph and regular brushing.

If you ever wondered about swimming in a pool with algae (Green Pool), Check this out first!

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