Why is the pool water green?: Summers can get hot in South Africa, and we all love a good swim. Let’s all agree that having your own pool is a real joy and it’s the perfect place for family and friends to get together and enjoy the summer rays.
If you own a pool, you may have been met by an unpleasant sight on one beautiful, bright day: a green pool.
When there isn’t enough chlorine in the water, algae grows and the pool turns green. Algae prefer low chlorine levels and warm temperatures, both of which we have plenty of in SA. Algae infection spreads swiftly as well. Allowing the chlorine levels in your pool to drop for even a day or two may be enough for algae to take over. This problem needs to be addressed as soon as possible since if it isn’t, it will become much worse.
So what to do next?: Firstly, if your pool is light green, there is a possibility that you can fix it yourself. However, if you have left your green pool untreated, it has since become a dark green, almost black colour, the pool will have to be drained, acid washed, and refilled by a professional pool expert.
If your pool is light green, here are simple DIY steps that you can follow:
Shock Treatment:
In the pool, add a shock treatment. This will quickly raise the chlorine levels in the water, killing the algae and preventing it from growing and spreading.
Brush it:
Clean all of the green algae off your pool’s walls and floor with a pool brush. This will take some elbow grease, but it can be made easier by using specialised pool cleaner equipment like BLU52 Aquasphere Pool Cleaner
to pull up all the particles you’re brushing off.
Allow it to Run:
Allow your pool pump to run for at least 24 hours. This will allow it to filter all of the water through the filter sand and clear any cloudiness in your pool. Keep in mind to get rid of all the particles build-up, you need to backwash and rinse several times.
Put it to the test:
A pool testing kit can help you determine if the chlorine level in your pool is correct. Throw in a floater or add chlorine, while continuously testing your water for the proper chlorine levels.
Keep it Maintained:
Keeping a well-maintained pool that has well-balanced water and is cleaned regularly won’t go green and it is a great place for social summer activities.
Tip:
Pause all pool activities for a few days, while shocking your pool. The high level of chlorine will burn your eyes and skin, even more so in children and people with sensitive skin.
Here is a selection of anti-green pool products:
