Why Your Pool Is Turning Green
If your pool has turned green and has left you wondering how to restore it back to its former glory, the Poolwerx team can help! Our experts are here to walk you through the steps you can take to fix your pool and enjoy crystal-clear water all year long. From pinpointing the causes to identifying the right treatment method for your pool, we’ve got you covered.
Prefer to Watch Videos?
Why Is Your Pool Turning Green?
At Poolwerx, we believe that prevention is the best cure, and we understand that a green pool is the last thing any pool owner wants to see. To lessen the chances of your pool ever turning green, it’s important to understand how and why this issue can happen in the first place.
If your pool is looking more green than clean, use our top 5 tips to get your pool back to healthy.
A pool turns green when there is an excess of algae in the water. There are several reasons why algae could grow, but it is most commonly caused by four main issues.
Low or No Water Circulation
Weak or ineffective water circulation can create stagnant areas in your pool, known as dead spots. These dead spots make it difficult for the sanitation system to evenly distribute pool chemicals, which can lead to a build-up of organic matter and allow algae to thrive.
Out-of-Balance Pool Chemicals
Imbalanced pool chemicals can be caused by a variety of factors, including improper chemical treatment, poor filtration, and environmental factors. If your pool has a chemical imbalance, it can give bacteria a real opportunity to thrive, increasing the amount of nutrients in the water and allowing algae to bloom.
Improper Water Sanitation
If your pool’s sanitation system isn’t working properly, it can quickly cause an increased build-up of organic dirt and debris. Left unsanitised, this build-up will lead to an increase of nitrogen and phosphorous in the water which starts a process called eutrophication, both of which encourage algae growth by providing it with essential nutrients.
Poor Water Filtration
Poor water filtration can cause algae buildup because it allows algae spores to circulate undisturbed before settling on the water surface, leading to the growth of algae colonies. Inadequate filtration can be caused by a variety of factors, including a clogged or dirty filter, an undersized pump, and poor water circulation.
Why You Should Never Swim in a Green Pool
A green pool is not only unsightly, but the algae causing this unsightly appearance can also be a major health hazard for swimmers. Algae can harbour all sorts of harmful bacteria, viruses, and even parasites, leaving swimmers exposed to a number of possible illnesses and infections. If your pool has gone green, it’s important you refrain from swimming in it and instead get it remedied as soon as possible.
How to Fix a Green Pool
While any one of the issues mentioned above can allow algae to thrive, a combination of two or more of them will further increase the chances of your pool turning green. To restore the health of your pool and transform it from green to clean, we recommend you try the following five tips.
1. Get a Water Test
A water test will provide you with an in-depth analysis of the exact chemical dosages your pool requires for you to get it back to peak condition. Collect a water sample from about arm’s length deep under the water's surface.
To ensure an accurate analysis, you should aim to have this water sample tested within a few hours of collecting it. Head to your local Poolwerx store to receive your 60-second computerised water test for free with any product purchase.
2. Re-Balance the Pool Water
After the water test, you will be provided with the chemicals you need to re-balance the pool water. You will likely need chlorine as pools usually turn green when the chlorine levels are too low. Avoid swimming when re-balancing your pool as high chlorine levels can cause red eyes and itchy skin.
3. Clear and Repair Your Equipment
After you have received the chemicals to help clear your pool, make sure you test the pump, and check the filter, skimmer box and pump to ensure they are working and there are no blockages. If you are unsure about whether your equipment is working effectively or not, a fully qualified Poolwerx technician can come to your home and complete an assessment. If your pool has any broken equipment the service technician will provide with a quote to replace these and get your pool back in working order.
4. Clean the Surface and Walls of Your Pool
As well as allowing the pool equipment and chemicals to work their magic, we recommend giving your pool a thorough clean to manually remove any algae or debris.
To loosen dirt and remove algae, skim the water surface with a net and brush down your pool walls with a pool brush before vacuuming the area. Using a robotic cleaner can help save time and effort. Look at this DIY Guide on How to clean a green pool.
5. Maintain a Regular Cleaning Schedule
Whether you plan to swim in your pool once a day or once a month, continuing a regular maintenance schedule will help keep your pool healthy year-round. Your local Poolwerx team of fully certified technicians can create a personalised pool cleaning package to suit your requirements.
The Different Types of Pool Algae and How to Treat Them
There are various types of algae that can affect the health of your pool, and they each require a different treatment approach to eliminate them from your water. Before you attempt to treat your pool, it’s important to first identify the type of algae that is present so you can eradicate it successfully.
-
Green algae is the most common type of pool algae, and it typically appears as a green-coloured slime on the surface of the pool. It can be treated by shocking the pool with a high dose of chlorine and brushing the affected areas with an algae brush to remove the dead algae.
-
Yellow algae, also known as mustard algae, is a less common type of pool algae that presents as yellow or brown spots on the pool surface. It’s more resistant to chlorine than green algae, meaning you’ll likely need a specialised algae remover to properly treat your pool.
-
Black algae is by far the most difficult one to treat. Thankfully, it is also the least common type of pool algae and can be easily identified as black or dark blue-green spots on your pool’s walls, floor, and surface.
It has deep roots that can quickly penetrate the walls and floor of your pool and requires extensive and aggressive treatment. Effective solutions include brushing the affected areas with a wire brush, using specially made black spot algaecide, and maintaining high chlorine levels for an extended time period.
Keep Your Pool Clean With Poolwerx
If you’re starting to notice signs of algae buildup in your pool, contact a nearby local Poolwerx today and allow us to provide the rapid solution you need. We have an array of products that you can use to treat algae growth and can provide specialised advice to help you keep your pool healthy all year round.
