Have you ever come across a pool with a green color? That’s the pool with uncontrolled algae growth. A green pool gives a greenish-hue and has imbalanced chemicals, ineffective filtration, or poor maintenance. Various methods can be utilized to recover a green pool back to its normal condition.
This blog explores common green pool problems and how to clean a green pool fast. It also covers the causes and disadvantages, steps to clean a green pool, and how to prevent algae from returning.
What is a green pool?
The green pool refers to the pool water that has become green due to poor maintenance and cleaning and excessive algae growth. Green pools need urgent fixing and cleaning for the safety and health of swimmers and the longevity of pool equipment.
What are the signs of a green pool?
So, how do you know if your pool is green? The signs can be pronounced as well as invisible. Here is what it means:
The pool water is green and cloudy
If you come across cloudy pool water or the pool has a greenish hue, it’s likely an algae overgrowth. It indicates that your pool pump and pool filter are not working correctly. The green pool problem can persist even after shock.
My pool is green, but it looks clear.
This scenario results mainly from the presence of chlorine-resistant algae. Other reasons may include high water pH and the presence of metals and other oxidizing elements that give a greenish color.
What are the causes of a green pool?
Here are the reasons why the pool algae problem occurs.
- Uncontrolled algae growth
- Low chlorine or bromine levels
- Higher pH levels (above 7.8)
- Higher phosphate levels
- Improper filter functioning
- Poor water circulation
- Heavy rains
- Hot Weather
- Excessive pollen in water
- Lack of maintenance and cleaning
- Combination of these
How do I fix a green pool?
As the pool with algae isn’t safe for swimmers’ health and pool life, it needs fixing sooner rather than later. Here are the methods to fix a green pool:
- Pool Vacuuming
- Brushing the Pool
- Clean Filter
- Balancing Pool’s pH
- Checking Pool Chemicals
- Test for Copper
- Shocking the Pool
- Running Pool Filters
- Adding Algaecides
- Drain Your Pool
1. Pool Vacuuming
Manually vacuum the pool on your filter’s waste setting. Avoid using robotic or automatic pool cleaners in green pools because they are not efficient at algae cleaning. Also, check the water level while vacuuming the pool and refilling the water as needed.
2. Brushing the Pool
Next, brush the entire pool. Ensure scrubbing and brushing the pool surfaces, pool walls, stairs, and hard-to-reach pool corners to loosen the attached algae. A nylon bristle brush is ideal for fiberglass pools, while a steel brush is ideal for concrete pools.
3. Clean Pool Filter
A clean pool filter is crucial for effective pool filtration. Deep-clean the filter and rinse the trapped contaminants and debris. Here is how to clean your specific pool filter.
Cartridge Filters: Soak in a diluted muriatic acid solution and rinse thoroughly with a garden hose.
Sand Filters: Backwash the filter to remove debris.
4. Balancing Pool pH and Total Alkalinity
If the pH level of the pool water is high, the chlorine will not work correctly. On the other hand, very low pH will decrease the efficiency of pool shock. Check and balance your pool’s pH. The ideal pool’s pH level is between 7.4 and 7.6. Moreover, check and maintain the optimal levels of total alkalinity (80 and 120 ppm) to prevent algae in your pool.
5. Checking Pool Chemicals
The green pool water indicates that chlorine levels are low while other water chemicals, such as phosphorus, are high. Check and balance water chemistry such as alkalinity, free chlorine, and phosphorus levels.
6. Test for Copper
Copper is a mineral that can effectively kill algae in the pool even in a small dose. Tes the copper levels of the pool water. The ideal copper level in a pool for effective algae control is between 0.2 ppm and 0.4 ppm.
7. Shocking the Pool
The best way to treat a green pool is to shock the pool. Pool shocking is adding chemicals to raise free chlorine levels. The increase in chemicals and free chlorine will kill the bacteria and algae. For effective results, shock the pool twice or three times.
It is important to remember that you should not add stabilized chlorine, as it may increase cyanuric acid, which can help the algae grow. Always wear protective goggles and gloves during the pool shocking process.
8. Running Pool Filters
After shocking the pool, run the filters for at least 24 hours. This will trap and filter the debris and algae in the water.
9. Add Algaecides
Algaecides are used to kill the algae. Choose the best pool algaecide for your green pool. Not all algicides are adequate, as some algae spores may remain in the water.
10. Drain Your Pool
For more effective treatment, you can drain the pool and fill it up with fresh water.
What are the disadvantages of a green swimming pool?
The green pool requires immediate treatment. Here are some of the disadvantages of a green pool:
- Swimming in a green pool can irritate the skin and cause itching.
- The green pool can make the surface slippery, increasing the risk of falls.
- Swimmers are at risk for bacterial infection in a green pool
- It can irritate the swimmer’s eyes and ears
- It may cause a foul-smelling poolside area
- A green pool may result in more maintenance and cleaning expenditure
- A green pool may damage the pool liner, filter, and other pool equipment
What are the categories of green pool water?
There are three main categories of green pools based on the type of pool algae they contain. They are:
1. Light Green Pool Water
It indicates less severe algae, low sanitizer levels, and poor water maintenance.
2. Dark Green Pool Water
A dark-green pool shows comparatively more algae in the water. These pools contain hazardous algae and require more time for cleaning.
3. Black-Green Water
Black-green pools signal excessive algae growth. These pools require extensive cleaning and leave deep stains on the walls and floors.
What do I do if my pool is still green after shocking the pool?
Most pool owners face a situation where their pool is still green even after pool shock. In other words, the pool algae wasn’t removed, and the pool cleaning process was not up to par. This problem can be resolved through:
- Testing and adjusting the copper level through calcium chloride
- Retesting water pH and other chemicals
- Doing another round of careful vacuuming and brushing
- Repairing or replacing pool filter
What should I do if my chlorine level is high but the pool is still green?
You might wonder why your pool is green, but chlorine is high. There is a hacking trick behind it. Do you know about free chlorine and total chlorine? The hack is to check your free chlorine level when testing your pool water. This is because free chlorine can sanitize and kill your pool algae. If you find this free chlorine level low, simply add more chlorine.
Why does my pool turn green during the winter?
Your pool may also turn green during winterization. If you have closed your pool for the season and it has turned green, the following reasons may cause this issue:
- Torn or poorly fitted pool cover
- You are opening it late for the swimming season
- Lack of pool maintenance and cleaning
How do I keep pool algae from returning?
The next important thing about green pool treatment is to prevent algae blooms from spreading again. Follow the simple tips below to keep pool algae from returning:
- Test and balance the water chemicals regularly
- Shock the pool if the algae level is growing
- Use pool cover
- Add algaecides during pool maintenance
Is it safe to swim in green water?
When talking about swimming pools, the safety and health of swimmers should be a top priority. Whether or not swimming in a green pool is safe depends. The safest way is to clean the green pool before swimming.
Dark and cloudy water contains bacteria, algae, or viruses. If your pool water is dark or murky, do not swim in it. On the other hand, if the pH and chlorine levels in your pool are normal and contain only light green algae spots with no sign of bacteria, it’s likely okay for swimming.
Silverline Pools: The Best Company to Clean Your Green Pool Fast
Silverline Pools is the best pool cleaning and maintenance service provider in Knoxville and East Tennessee. For busy and elderly families, hiring the expertise of Silverline Pools will keep your pool fit for swimming season. Don’t wait any longer! Contact Silverline Pools and bring your green pool to splashing and crystal-clear water for swimming fun and poolside entertainment.
Do I Need to Worry About Pool Phosphates?
Phosphates in higher levels can cause a bloom in the pool algae population as they act as nutrients for algae. Keeping the phosphate levels as low as possible can lower the algae growth. For this, you can add a phosphate remover to keep its concentration lower.
Is baking soda good for green pool treatment?
Baking soda is used to raise the alkalinity of the pool. However, it does not kill the algae.
Can I overshock a green pool?
No, you cannot over-shock a pool for green pool treatment.
What is the fastest way to clean a green pool?
The quickest way to clean a green pool is by lowering the pH to 7.2 and adding high chlorine levels (shocking the pool).
How long does it take for a pool to clear up from green?
It will take 2 to 4 days on average for a green pool to turn blue after effective pool water treatment.
Can I use vinegar to clear a green pool?
Vinegar is used to shine pool metal surfaces, clean pool filters, and kill a bit of algae. However, it is not the ideal chemical for a green pool treatment.
What chemical kills green algae in the pool?
Calcium hypochlorite shock is an effective chemical used for killing algae.
Wrapping Up
A green pool condition is the accumulation of algae in the pool water. Light-green, dark green, or black-green pool colors are the most prominent signs of green pool water. The green pool water can compromise the health of swimmers and the pool structure and equipment.
The various methods used to fix green pool treatment are brushing and vacuuming the pool, lowering the pH, and raising the chemical levels in the water. Among all the treatments, pool shocking is the most effective way to clean a green pool quickly. Silverline Pools is your go-to company for green pool treatment for Knoxville and East Tennessee pool owners.
