How Do I Clean a Green Pool

Have you been asking yourself the question "how do I clean a green pool?" If you are one of the many pool owners facing this problem, this article will offer solutions that will have your pool water sparkling clear and ready for backyard warm weather fun.

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Water in a swimming pool turns green because of algae that is living in the pool. Algae are primitive types of organisms that range from single celled varieties to types that have hundreds of cells. They are able to produce their own food through the process of photosynthesis. Although algae organisms do contain chlorophyll, they lack leaves, stems and true root systems and are no longer considered plants.

Because of their microscopic size once an aquatic form of algae begins growing in a swimming pool, it generally goes unnoticed until there are hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of organisms. Often they grow in a covered swimming pool throughout the year until it is time to remove the cover and only then are they discovered. However, uncovering a pool for the season is not the only time a pool can turn green. Algae can also grow in a pool during the swim season.

Although poor swimming pool maintenance is the main cause of a green pool during the swimming season, there are also other reasons and contributing factors.

• Lack of a regular prevention program for algae prevention
• An unusually large number of swimmers combined with insufficient maintenance program for the number of people
• Insufficient amount of sunlight on the pool
• An excessive amount of vegetation or trees surrounding the pool
• Heavy rainfall which can change the chemistry of the water
• A contaminated water supply used to add water to the pool
• Not running the pool filter for a sufficient amount of time
• Not vacuuming the pool sufficiently
• Not adding the proper amount of chlorine or forgetting to add it
• An imbalance of the water chemistry

The most common type of alga that grows in swimming pools is called green algae. Green algae can appear in several forms. Some types can float in the water often making the water appear hazy or murky. Other wall clinging varieties grow in patches on the pool’s sides and bottom and can cover these areas entirely. Green algae growth can be in many varying shades of green including:

• Yellow green
• Blue green
• Dark green

1. The first step in treating a green pool is to have the water analyzed. This is necessary to achieve the proper balance of alkalinity, pH, chlorine and the calcium hardness of the pool water. Many pool stores will test pool water as a free service. If this is not an option, use a home pool test kit that uses reactants or test strips such as Aqua Check. Make a list of your test readings.
2. If your pool has floating algae, add the necessary pool chemicals to bring the water readings into the normal range. Possible chemical adjustments include adding pH to bring the level up or down and adjusting the alkalinity by using a sodium bicarbonate based product.
3. If your pool has clinging algae brush any areas on the sides and bottom of the pool that have visible algae growth. Aggressive brushing is necessary to loosen and remove the clinging organisms. Once the loosened algae settles to the bottom of the pool, vacuum it.
4. Add shock to the pool using a good quality chlorine shock product. Shock products are available in both liquid and powdered forms. If you have a pool with a vinyl liner use a shock product that is made for vinyl liners to prevent staining. Adding double or triple the amount of shock treatment is often necessary.
5. Run the pool filter continuously until the water is clear making sure to backwash the filter as often as necessary. It is often necessary to run the filter for several days.
6. Add an algaecide product to the pool water once the water is clear. This type of product should be added weekly during the swim season.

Regular household products often serve multi purposes such as using hydrogen peroxide as a general cleaner or vinegar to clean hardwood floors.

In the case of slightly green pools, two common household products generally will bring the water back to a clear sparkle. These products are bleach and baking soda. Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, is a base and will control both the pH and alkalinity levels of the water. It is the same product sold as those that bring alkalinity levels up. Household bleach, although not as strong as pool shock, will be effective in clearing pools that are somewhat green.

Pool owners facing the question "how do I clean a green pool?" sometimes feel overwhelmed by the ugly water in their pool. Green pools are a common problem that can be cleared up in a few simple steps.

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