What causes green pool water and what can it be a sign of?

Whether you’ve been thinking about joining the ranks of pool owners nationwide or have been a proud owner for many years, you always need to be thinking about the cleanliness of your pool. After all, you don’t want to swim in a pool that has become unhealthy or otherwise unsafe – and you certainly don’t want your kids anywhere near green pool water!

Algae in the pool is one problem that you want to nip in the bud right away because of how quickly it can accumulate. The green pool water that it causes won’t go away on its own, but it’s not too difficult to fix. Today, we’re going to give you a quick rundown of the most common causes of algae and then discuss what to do about it.

Common Reasons for Green Pool Water

First off, if you see any algae in your pool, don’t go inside the water, it is not safe. The reason why algae forms depend on several different factors. Here are the most common reasons why green pool water occurs:

• Low Chlorine Level
• High CYA Level
• High pH Level
• High Phosphate Level
• Low Filtration

How to Properly Clean Green Pool Water

If your swimming pool water turns green, it’s not the end of the world.  , you can fix the problem in a relatively short period of time. Simply follow these steps  and your green pool water will be a thing of the past before you know it:

Remove Any Debris

If you want to have a clean pool again, the first thing   need to do is remove as much debris as you can. You’ll  want to skim the water’s surface, brush the pool’s walls, and clean out the skimmer baskets.   is that if you can’t see at least six to eight inches below the surface, then it’s best that you call a professional pool cleaner.

Test pH Level & CYA

Maintaining the proper pH balance is essential if you want to avoid algae and other problems. This can be done with either an advanced test kit or just a few inexpensive test strips. To help avoid algae issues, you’ll want to achieve a 7.2 pH level or below. In addition to the pH level, you’ll also need to test the pool for its CYA (cyanuric acid) level. When this level gets below 30 ppm, algae can grow much more easily.

Apply Shock Treatment

If you don’t shock the pool, you’ll never be able to achieve crystal clear water. If you’re not familiar with shocking the pool, that’s okay. All it means is adding either liquid chlorine or chlorine tablets to the water. This helps remove contaminants and improves water filtration, both of which will reduce the likelihood of algae forming in the pool.

Apply an Algaecide

As the name suggests, algaecide kills the algae and prevents it from forming. There are different types of algaecides on the market, s  one that is designed to    green pool algae and not just yellow or black algae. Also, keep in mind that you may have some leftover dead algae in the pool, so you’ll want to properly brush the pool’s surfaces to remove the rest.

Clean the Filter

Once the pool filters fill up with debris, they won’t be able to stop as many contaminants, which can lead to algae and other problems with the water. The first thing you’ll want to do is grab your owner’s manual and either backwash or chemically clean the filter as directed. This will remove any organic or mineral buildup. After that’s done, run your pump for 24 hours, which will allow all of the pool’s water to run through the newly cleaned filter.

Continued Maintenance to prevent Green Swimming Pool Water

The best way to avoid green pool water in the future is with regular pool maintenance. In addition to removing debris from the pool once per week, you should also test the pool water either every day or at least weekly, as well. Investing in a quality chlorinating system will also save you a lot of time and headache. Of course, if you don’t have enough time for this, there are plenty of professional pool cleaners available.

Contact Larsen’s Pool & Spa for Help with Green Pool Water

Larsen’s Pool & Spa has become the premier custom pool builder in Tampa Bay and the surrounding areas. Our experts can assist you with swimming pool and spa installations, renovations, and design. If you have any questions or would like a free, no-obligation quote, give us a call at (727) 786-POOL (7665) today.