While “green” is often associated to cleanliness, this does not apply to swimming pools. As pool contractors would advise homeowners, it’s ideal to keep pool water crystal clear not only for aesthetic purposes, but for hygienic reasons as well. Here’s what proud pool owners in Orange County need to know for avoiding the green pool problem.
What Turns the Water Green?
Without routine maintenance, water tends to change color, particularly with the constant usage the pool gets during summers. However, that’s not enough to turn the water green. Presence of algae during warmer months, bacteria build up, improper pH balance and clogged pool filters will most definitely do. Assess the condition of your pool and find out just how green it is. If it’s closer to black, then you might want to call in professionals for draining and acid washing. On the other hand, if it’s fairly manageable, you can turn to less drastic solutions.
Adjust pH Level and Alkalinity
Green pool water most likely means an imbalance with your pool chemicals, so you need to check your levels first. Ideally, you should have a test kit handy for you to gauge proper levels. For your pool to be considered healthy, the water should be between 7.2 and 7.8 on the pH scale.
Clear Up Debris and Clean the Filters
Foreign objects in the pool, particularly all sorts of debris can also affect the color. These should be removed from the pool floor with a large leaf net, but be careful not to stir up the water too much or use a vacuum as it may clog the skimmer and filter. Speaking of filters, one that’s left off for too long will only cause algae, mold and other fungi to grow. Make sure that your filters are clean and are running at appropriate times. In fact, consider running it 24 hours a day if you’re already dealing with the dreaded green swimming pool for faster results, and backwash a few times to avoid clogging.
Perform a Shock Treatment of the Pool
Pool builders in Orange County would recommend the shock treatment if there are excessive levels of algae in the pool. Basically, the pool water will be super chlorinated to kill off bacteria and algae using perhaps gallons of liquid chlorine or “shock” over a period of days. At this point, you may also throw in some extra doses of high quality algaecide to speed up the process, and allow the pool to sit for 24 hours before finally cleaning it.
Sources:
How To Clear Up And Clean A Green Swimming Pool Article, PoolsAndSpa.com
Green to Clean: How to Clear Up a Green and Cloudy Swimming Pool, Dengarden.com