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How to Clean an Algae Infested Pool?

Getting rid of a green algae infestation pool can be a real problem. If the pool chemistry is not right, algae production can be stimulated, despite the addition of expensive shock and algaecide solutions. Follow these instructions to change the chemistry in the pool and remove the green algae in no time.

How to Clean an Algae Infested Pool?


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Introduction

An algae infestation can be a big problem for your pool. Once the algae are visible, it increases quickly, resulting in slimy green water and an unswimmable pool.

Once it is established, you will need to be conscientious in cleaning and treating your pool until all the algae is gone and your pool water is sparkling clean again. Start a pool cleaning and sanitation program to keep algae from returning.

pH levels

Change the pH levels on your pool pump and filtration system. Adjust your pool water pH to the 7.2 to 7.6 range. Adjusting the pH level is a vital first step because the sanitation chemicals work best in this pH range.

A too high or too low pH level will not allow the chemicals to work. You can use a pH test kit to get an initial reading, or you can take a bottle of water to your local pool supply store. Most will test it for free and tell you exactly which chemicals and how much of the chemicals you need to use for your pool size.

In most cases you will add muriatic acid if your pH level is too high, or soda ash for low levels. You can also buy a commercial adjusting solution for the pH levels in your pool. Allow the water to circulate for a few hours and test the pH levels again. When the pH is in the desired 7.2 to 7.6 range you can move to the next step to remove the algae.

Chlorine

Shock the pool with a chlorine-based shock solution. Make sure to have a look at the label directions. For heavy infestations, double the recommended dosage. Keep the pump and filter running while using the chlorine-based shock solution.

Vacuum the Pool

While the chlorine-based shock solution circulates, brush the pool walls and bottom to loosen the algae. Allow the chlorine to circulate for 12 hours and have a look at the pool again. The green algae should turn white or gray and fall to the bottom of the pool.

If any green algae remain, repeat the pH level adjustments, chlorine-based shock, and scrubbing until all the green algae is gone. Serious infested pools may require multiple doses. Once all the algae are gone, turn your pool pump to waste and vacuum all the dirt and debris on the bottom of the pool. Clean your pool filter as well.

Prevent Algae with Algaecide

Now that the pool water is sparkling clear, add an algaecide product to prevent the algae from returning into your pool. Algaecide does not kill an active infestation but it helps to prevent future problems. Check the pool water again and change the pH level if needed. The chlorine and other chemicals can affect the chemical balance and pH level of your pool.

Check the Pool Chemistry before Swimming

Allow time for the excess chlorine solution to dissolve before swimming. Once the chlorine has returned to a level of 1 to 3 ppm, your pool is ready to use.

It is much easier to prevent algae infestations by checking your pool chemistry often and changing it as needed. Green algae may need several rounds of chlorine-based shock using the above instructions. Algae is persistent, but this short is effective for eliminating green algae.

Kill the Algae in Your Swimming Pool Now

Algae floating freely in pool water or growing along the side of your swimming pool can quickly turn your pool into a mess. No matter how hopeless the situation may seem, do not give up on your swimming pool. The right chemicals, along with a little bit of work, can quickly remove your algae problem and return your swimming pool to its original happiness.

It is slimy, greenish and bad for your health. It is algae, and if you own a swimming pool, you probably tried to get rid of it many times. Algae can cause cloudy pool water and leave you embarrassed to have friends over for a swim.

Luckily, algae growth does not have to leave your swimming pool looking like a swamp. You can fight swimming pool algae with proper pool maintenance and algae eradication methods.

Swimming Pool’s pH Levels

Proper pH is essential to preventing algal growth in your swimming pool. Investing in a pH testing kit will help you determine how high or low your pool’s pH is at any given time so that you may adjust it accordingly.

You can even purchase automatic chlorinators that pump chlorine into your swimming pool at preset intervals to keep your pool at the proper pH when you aren’t around to make the necessary adjustments.

Shocking the Swimming Pool

Once algae sets in, keeping your pH steady is not going to help you get rid of it. The very first thing you should do is to “shock” your pool by introducing roughly 5 to 10 times the standard amount of chlorine to the pool water.

It is important that neither you nor anyone else will swim in the pool until the chlorine levels stabilize. Do not be alarmed if your swimming pool looks even cloudier after shocking. This is normal and indicates that the treatment was done properly. You may opt to backwash the pool filter after shocking the swimming pool.

Kill the Algae

After you have properly shocked the pool, you can set about killing any algae present in the water with a commercial algaecide. You can purchase algaecide from your local swimming pool supply store.

Like a pool that has recently been shocked, a pool that contains algaecide is not suitable for swimming in yet. Watch out for algaecides that contain copper sulfate. Although these products are effective at killing algae, they are also highly toxic and may present a significant health risk to people and pets.

Related Article: Best Robotic Pool Cleaners

Get rid of the Dead Algae in Your Swimming Pool

Although shocking your swimming pool and adding algaecide kills algae, you still need to get rid of the dead algae before your pool is suitable for swimming. Using a pool brush with a long handle, brush the walls and floor of your swimming pool well.

Take care to brush even areas of the pool that appear to be clean. Algae are microscopic and invisible to the naked eye until they begin to grow and multiply rapidly. If you have a vinyl lined pool, it is important to use only a soft-bristled brush.

Wire-bristled brushes are only safe for use with concrete pools and can easily damage vinyl. Vacuum the swimming pool after cleaning. If the algal growth in your pool is severe, however, you may need to drain your pool entirely before cleaning the walls. If you do so, rinse your swimming pool liner well before filling your pool with fresh water.

Conclusion

Once you have taken all of the necessary steps to kill and dispose of the algae in your pool, you can focus on preventing further algal growth. Test your pool’s pH level daily and adjust the pH as needed.

Keep the pool clean through regular brushing and vacuuming. Back-washing the filter periodically disposes of any algae that take up residence in the filter and prevents them from migrating to your swimming pool.

Should an algae problem arise, treat it right away rather than allowing it to get out of hand. A clear, clean and beautiful swimming pool provides your family with a backyard paradise that is well worth the effort to keep the pool clean and healthy.

What is Algae?

• Algae are a large and successful group of organisms, which flourish in the sea, in fresh-water and in damp places on land. • Most algae contain green chlorophyll, and can produce foods, such as sugars, from the sun.
• They have been classified in a separate kingdom called Protista.
• They are the base of the aquatic food chain.
• Algae growth is a natural occurrence in all water bodies.
• Algae thrives on hot weather when it reproduces more rapidly. It is stimulated by nutrients.

The Most Effective Tips for Pool Cleaning

Spring and summer are the best times for pool cleaning because the weather is pleasant. Here a top 10 on how to clean your pool.

1. Debris removal from the pool.
Use brushing technique and flushing water over the surface.
2. Surrounding pool cleaning procedure
A concoction of chlorine and water works best in cleaning the stone surfaces. The solution should be brushed effectively over the surface and then allowed to soak for a few minutes.
3. Cleaning the pool walls
Brush the surface with an appropriate pool brush.
4. Pump and filter inspection
A choked filter is not effective: Replace the filter once in every three years.
5. Tile band cleaning
The tile band should be cleaned with the correct tile cleaning product.
6. Surface water cleaning with a leaf net
The net is helpful in removing dead leaves and small debris from the water.
7. Vacuum cleaning
The pool hose has to be filled with pool water with the skimmer still attached to the basket. The vacuum point is then connected to begin vacuum cleaning the pool.
8. Adding chlorine to the pool water
To ensure hygienic pool water chlorine must be added to the water. A chlorine solution dissolved in water helps to eliminate any remaining bacteria, microbes and algae from the pool water.
9. The PH balance
Maintain the exact pH balance throughout the water, which is between 7.2 to 7.6
10. 24 hour gap and then a re-test schedule
It’s important to keep on the right balance of the pool water throughout the months to come.

Pool water problems

The first step to treating a pool water problem is to diagnose the underlying cause. This can usually be accomplished by taking a look at the color and texture of the water.

Milky cloudy water
Excessive amounts of conditioner, water hardness or TDS in the water. Check your pool water chemistry and perform corrections where necessary.
Green & cloudy water
Sanitize level is dropping in the pool water which allows the algae to multiply. Encourage the growth of micro-organisms and bacteria.
Black spotted water
Ensure your pool is properly cleaned using a vacuum and brush after you have performed a pool shock treatment. It may also need a specialist aigaecide treatment which has been designed for discouraging black algae.
Pink slime
This is caused by Paecilomyces Lilacinus. These fungus appear to be pink, white or gray. Treatment requires use of a special aigaecide designed to remove pink algae.
Black tinted water
Result of excess amounts of manganese, which can stain pool surfaces and create unsightly marks. It will need to be corrected using a commercial product or ion stabilizer.
Brown & cloudy water
It could be a danger to the health of anyone swimming in the pool. Check pool water chemicals levels: Chlorine, pH, Alkalinity, Calcium.
Brown or green tinted water
Level of copper or iron too high because contamination or corrosion in the pipes and or components of pool accessories. It can cause stains on the surfaces of the pool and discolor nails, skin and hair of swimmers.
Water which burns the eyes, nose or throat
If your pool water is causing a burning sensation, you are likely to have a problem with the alkalinity. You should check the PH level and take steps to correct any imbalance.

How to Winterize a Pool the EASY Way

It seemed like only yesterday we were uncovering the pool and it’s time to close it. Closing the pool is much more than covering it. It is called winterizing for a reason. Let’s back up a little bit and start from the beginning.

The first step is to prepare the water. A day or so before I plan to close the pool I added a couple of pounds of shock through the skimmer and let it circulates for a day.

Some people may argue with me, but I maintain my own pool for over 30 years and I haven’t found any advantage to those fancy chemical closing kits. they are just a waste of money. I just use shock to close the pool and I get the same results.

I need to do one final vacuuming before I close the pool. I connect the hose directly to the suction line at the bottom of the skimmer, with the basket removed Keep watching the video and you will see why.

It’s inevitable that some leaves and dirt will get under the pool cover over the winter, but I want it as clean as possible at this point so I take the time to vacuum the pool very well. I remove the ladder and store it on the fence. I remove the steps so that I can vacuum all the dirt that went underneath then. Here you can see the original color of my liner and how badly the sun bleaches it.

Once the pool is clean and I empty all the junk from the pump basket. I set the valve on my sand filter to backwash and turn on the pump. The glass shows how dirty the water is.

My backwash hose runs underneath the patio to a low spot in the back of my yard behind the pool. Now I need to let it backwash for 10 to 15 minutes or so until the water levels are below the skimmer. Now you can see why I needed to attach the vacuum hose directly to suction line.

I don’t have a main drain at the bottom of my school. So I use the vacuum to suck the water out. I have plenty of preparation to do while it is back-washing. I take the steps over to the patio and I store the ladder. No need to cover them up, just power wash them in the spring.

I place the water bags around the pool and fill them about 3 quarters of the way with a garden hose. After the water level drops below the scammer, I shut down the filter and remove the chlorinator.

My pump has two drain plugs that need to be removed, so there’s no standing water in there to freeze. I store the drain plugs in the basket. But the pressure gauges is too sensitive. I store that one in the garage so it won’t freeze at all.

No need to empty the sand from my filter over the winter. I just open the drain and let the water seep out.
To prepare the skimmer, I insert this hollow gizmo into the bottom. And then I pour RV antifreeze into the suction line. The gizmo is intended to absorb the pressure of any ice that might form in the skimmer over the winter. In the summer, water is your friend, in the winter it is your enemy.

To blow out the return lines I first put the filter valve in the closed position. Then using a compressor I blow compressed air into the chlorinator fitting. In reality I get a helper to work the compressor while I plug the lines. I know it may not get every ounce of water out of those lines, but it is good enough and I’ve never had any problems.

Now that the filters been shut down and the lines have been winterized we can finally turn our attention towards the cover. I take great care to fold my cover properly in the spring so that it unrolls easily in the fall.

I center the cover as much as possible around the pool and I put all the water bags in place. The last step is to place a pump on the cover to minimize standing water, which really becomes a magnet for leaves.

I’ve gone through several pool cover pumps and this model, the WAYNE WAPC250 1/4 HP Automatic ON/OFF Water Removal Pool Cover Pump, is the best that I found. There you have it, all ready for winter. Although I have more work to do around the patio, at least I know the pool is covered and the leaves can start falling now.

Adding an outdoor pool to your home has numerous benefits, including making life more fun as well as improving your home’s value. However, you have to keep up with maintenance in order to keep the pool in good shape. This includes preparing your pool for winter.

This post provides some steps that every pool owner should follow in order to prepare their pool for winter. Having a pool installed outside of your home is a great way to improve the enjoyment of your home.

It’s also an excellent way to improve the curb appeal as well as the value of your home. However, odds are pretty good that you won’t be using your pool during the winter months.

If you live in a climate where going for a quick dip outside during the winter season is out of the question, then you’ll want to prepare your pool so that it remains in good shape for the duration of winter and is ready for use by the time spring rolls around. The following are 6 steps you should take to prepare your pool for the winter.

Clean out the pool. Make sure that there is nothing left in the pool. Take out any accessories that are in your pool, from the pool ladder to the solar blanket if you use one. Use a skimming pole or a vacuum in order to get rid of any bugs, leaves or any other debris you might find from the water.

Check the chemistry of the water

You will want to make sure that the chemistry of the pool’s water is balanced. You will need to do this by testing the pH levels, the calcium hardness and the total alkalinity. The following are the proper levels for each:

– The water’s pH level should measure between 7.2 and 7.6.
– The water’s calcium hardness should measure between 180 ppm and 220 ppm.
– The water’s total alkalinity should measure between 80 ppm and 120 ppm.

You can test the chemistry of your pool’s water by picking up a pool winterization chemical kit. These can be found at local pool supply stores and will be needed to achieve the proper water levels.

Lower your pool’s water level

If the weather gets so cold that the water ends up freezing it could cause damage to the throat of the skimmer, which in tum can end up damaging both the plumbing and the filter system. To avoid this, lower the pool’s water level to right below the mouth of the skimmer.

Drain remaining water

Next, you’ll need to drain the remaining water from all of your filter equipment and hoses. This will help to prevent any damage if the weather reaches freezing temperatures. Remove the drain plugs from your pump in order to drain it as well.

Drain your pool’s chemical feeder

If your pool has a chemical feeder, then you’ll want to drain the remaining chemicals until it is empty. Leaving them in your chemical feeder can lead to damage during the winter.

Once you have completed the previous steps, you’ll want to cover your pool up in order to keep debris out of the water. In order to keep your pool in the best shape possible during the harsher winter months, you’ll want to make sure that you follow these 6 steps.

How to Open your Pool for the Summer

If you own a pool in your backyard, you already know how much fun it is to swim all summer long. You also know how vital it is to open your pool correctly and to make sure the water chemistry is on par. This post provides some tips to use to get your pool off to a great start in the summer.

Having a swimming pool in your backyard can give a lot of entertainment and pleasure, but not if that once perfect surface is now covered with algae and other bacteria. If you want to make the most of your summer, you need to care for your pool appropriately, and that starts with the moment you open it for the summer season.

Open the Pool

The way you unlock your pool can determine the usage for the entire swimming season to come, so it pays to take your time and do it right. It may take a little longer to open your pool correctly, but in the end you will be happy you did. Here are some instructions to get your swimming pool off to a great start this summer.

Use a Sump Pump

Drain the water from the protection first. Letting contaminated water from the protection into your pool is just asking for trouble. Use a sump pump or hand pump to remove all the standing water before peeling back the protection of your swimming pool.

A sump pump is a pump used to remove water that has accumulated in a water collecting basin. Check the condition of your pool protection as you take it away. You will need the pool protection again later in the year, so take the time to examine it. Repair or replace the pool protection if it is in bad condition.

Pool Equipment

Inspect and reassemble the pool equipment. Before opening the pool, you need to inspect and reassemble the filter, pump and pool heater.

If you have an automatic robot pool cleaner you will need to set that up as well. Switch your winterizing drain plugs with the regular versions. Now is the time to change the winterizing drain plugs you used to protect the pool in cold weather. Put them away with the pool protection cover and replace them with the regular-drain plugs.

Pool Chemicals

Test your water chemistry and make the needed changes. Grab your test strips and a cup of pool water and start to analyze. Use the analyses to add chemicals and make changes as needed. Be sure to adjust in a day or two. Estimations are not the best option when opening your pool for the summer. You want to make sure the chemistry is correct, and that means testing and retesting until the harmony is perfect.

Want to learn more? Read our best robotic pool cleaner buying guide!

Clean and Vacuum the Pool

Clean and vacuum the pool thoroughly as soon as the protection comes off. Even the best protection will not keep out every piece of mud and rubbish, so start the season off perfectly with a systematic pool cleaning.

If you use an automatic cleaner, now is the time to use it in and let it do its work. If not, grab your vacuum and brush and scrub all the dirt away.

The way you open and clean your pool can make or break for the entire swimming season. Make sure to take the time to get it right the first time. If you unlock your pool and remove the protection cover the right way, you can spend more summer days swimming and enjoying your family and less time scraping algae and debris from the water.


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About the author

Hi I’m Alex, founder of HouseholdMe.com and I’d like to say thank you for dropping by. Like most of you, the first thing I look at before buying something online is reviews or buying guides. By reading what other people say will help me gauge whether or not a product is good or not.  I am trying to help people find answers, solve problems, and get inspired.

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