Why Is My Pool Green
Written by webtechs

Why Is My Pool Green?

Why Is My Pool Green

There is nothing quite like owning and enjoying a backyard swimming pool. Yet, for all the benefits, there can be a few downsides. One of the downsides is a green coloring in your water. What is this and how can you fix it? Follow our guide below.

Why Is My Pool Water Green?

The green discoloration you are seeing in your pool water is a direct result of algae growth. This, unfortunately, can grow and spread very quickly within a pool. On a very hot day, commonplace in Arizona, a small algae infection can escalate quickly. Typically, an imbalance of chlorine is responsible for starting the algae growth.

Whenever the chlorine levels drop for just 24-48 hours, a green pool can be created. Therefore, checking the chlorine levels frequently is essential for any pool owner. The good news is it’s not too late if your pool is already green! Use the steps below to return your pool to its sparkling blue color.

How To Clean A Green Pool

Follow these five maintenance steps to clean your green pool:

Step 1. Remove Organic Debris

This should be obvious because organic debris such as leaves, branches, insects, and anything else that has fallen into the pool will start to break down and circulate bacteria. By taking out organic debris initially, it will make things easier on the pool’s filtration system and guarantees that any pool chemicals added won’t be hindered by debris in addition to speeding up the breakdown of debris in the pool. This will also provide the additional benefit of stopping or at least decrease the growth of any algae spores presently in the water. Be wary to not disrupt the water too much because this could cause bacteria to circulate.

Step 2. Assess Pool Water Chemistry

Following that, you would want to utilize a pool testing kit to get a benchmark for your pool chemistry such as this one to look for bromine, acid demand, chlorine, pH, and entire alkalinity. When necessary you can take a sample of your pool water and have it tested at your local pool store, but they suggest getting a water sample 12 to 18 inches below the water’s surface and to get a sample in the morning before the sun has a chance burn off the chlorine.

Step 3. Shock Pool Water

To correctly shock a pool, you’ll need to know how to shock a pool properly and what occurs when doing so. Even though it is known as “shocking” a pool, basically you are increasing the chlorine levels of the pool above what common levels should be at. This assists in killing any leftover bacteria in addition to algae that might still leftover following the removal of the organic debris. You should note, this will typically turn the water cloudy, but it should clear up within 24-48 hours. It is recommends shocking a pool at nighttime to bypass UV interference and that pH levels need to be between 7.2 to 7.4 for the ideal results.

Step 4. Pool Filter And Vacuum

Following your pool being shocked and the algae dying off because of the shock or the algaecide it’s now the time to filter and vacuum your pool. By vacuuming the pool prior to running the filter you’re making the job smoother on the cartridge, sand, or Diatomaceous Earth filter because when not done correctly you might need to have a professional replace your pool pump. A lot of pool professionals agree to run pool filter for no less than 24 hours continuously and to backwash the filters to stop clogs from entering the filtration system.

Step 5. Perform Routine Maintenance

After all your hard work is done and your pool isn’t green or cloudy anymore it is time to concentrate on a routine daily, weekly, and monthly maintenance regime. Or when you’re new to pool maintenance you can consult this Beginner’s Guide to Swimming Pool Maintenance for additional reading. Make sure you are backwashing your filters routinely in addition to skimming any debris that might have fallen in the pool too.

Pool Maintenance In Gilbert, AZ

Pool Service Gilbert is a family-owned and operated business that has been serving the valley since 2004. We offer reliable and affordable pool services, including repairs, equipment installations and more! Our service area includes Ahwatukee, Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Phoenix and Tempe, Arizona. Contact us right here for your upcoming pool service needs!

More Articles About Pool Care

Why Is My Pool Green
Written by webtechs

Pool Still Green After Shocking

Why Is My Pool Green

You’ve just shocked your pool but the water remains green. What causes this and what can you do to restore its bright blue color?

Chemical Composition Of A Clear Water Pool

Several factors go into making a pool appear clear and not cloudy. For example, pool experts suggest pH levels stay between 7.2-7.8 for everyday usage. Alkalinity is different than your pH levels, as it measures the water’s ability to resist change in pH. This makes it easier for both pH and chlorine ranges to stabilize.

If chlorine levels go unchecked for long periods of time, algae can take over. This will undoubtedly result in cloudy water. One last factor to keep in mind is calcium hardness. High calcium levels make it harder to dissolve calcium in the water. This could result in a clogged pool filter.

Why Is My Pool Still Green After Shocking It?

Whenever pool chemicals are not properly maintained, it’s easy for pH levels to get too high, ultimately leading to green water. If you have already shocked the pool and taken pH level samples, it is still possible to need to add phosphate removers or stabilizers. Stabilizers can steadily increase chlorine levels over time until the chemical is able to kill off any algae.

Phosphates will cause algae to grow in the pool and can be brought to the water through organic particles, such as bugs or leaves. Because the phosphate is fueling off the algae growth, a phosphate remover needs to be used to cut off food supply and stop the algae growth. 

Why Is My Pool Still Cloudy After Shocking It?

It is recommended to wait at least 18 hours after shocking the pool before determining the water’s clarity. If the pool water remains cloudy after a full 24 hours, you should consider adding a pool clarifier and utilizing the filter to remove any remaining settlements.

If the pool water remains cloudy, adding a clarifier is the best way to evaluate the pool’s filter and ensure it does not need to be replaced or that the filtration system needs maintenance.

How Much Shock Should I Add To The Pool?

Shocking a pool is essentially adding chlorine to make the pool water “super chlorinated.” For most residential pools, 10 gallons of liquid chlorine or 5 pounds of granular chlorine should be used to shock the pool. Check your manufacturer instructions to see if liquid or granular chlorine works best with your specific filter.

How Long Should I Use The Pump For?

Pool filters should be run continuously for 24 hours after shocking the pool to remove cloudiness. Since algae grows faster in warmer weather, a pump will need to run longer during summer months and shorter during winter months. Pool water should always be filtered, regardless of season.

The turnover rate is a measurement of how long it takes for the circulation system to move all the water through the filter equipment. These can be impacted by the pool size, as well as the gallons per minute rating of your pool’s pump. 

Pool Service Gilbert In Arizona

Pool Service Gilbert is a family-owned and operated business that has been serving the valley since 2004. We offer reliable and affordable pool services, including repairs, equipment installations and more! Our service area includes Ahwatukee, Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Phoenix and Tempe, Arizona. Contact us right here for your upcoming pool service needs.

More Articles About Pool Care

Written by webtechs

5 Common Pool Problems

5 Common Pool Problems

When you are searching for common pool problems and how to fix them when they come up arise, Pool Service Gilbert is here to help! Keep read to find out more about 5 common pool problems and how to fix them.

Algae Growth

A pool in good health should appear as a clear or bluish tone. Yet, we have all noticed pools that appear cloudy and green over time. A pool that turns green has usually been overtaken with hazardous algae. This is one the more common pool problems that homeowners are going to encounter. Typically, algae are going to affect pools with a chlorine level that is lower than recommended.

The Prevention of Algae Growth

  • Call an experienced pool service when you’re not comfortable taking on this task.
  • Following the algae being eliminated, increase the pools chlorine levels.
  • Keep adding chlorine to hinder future algae growth.

Clogged Pool Filters

Your pool circulates its water, and with the circulation it could eventually be disrupted when the pool filter becomes clogged. This can happen if a pool isn’t being regularly maintained. Debris such as dirt, insects and leaves can clog the filter, making it become ineffective. Examine the filter when you happen to see more debris than you typically see in your pool.

Fixing A Clogged Pool Filter

  • Clear out the pool filter and pool.
  • Regularly clear debris from the area to hinder future problems.

Low Or High pH

Safe pH levels for swimming pool water are between 7.2 and 7.6. Any level that is below or above this those can cause irritated eyes, throat, and skin. You can find out your pH level in your pool by testing it regularly. Balance the pH using pool chemicals, when required.

How To Fix pH Levels

  • Regularly test you pools pH level.
  • Balance the pH level with the addition of pool chemicals.

Overabundance of Chlorine

Whereas chlorine is needed to hinder the growth of algae, an overabundance of chlorine can be almost as hazardous as algae. Signs of an overabundance chlorine is going to include having a hard time seeing underwater and/or severe eye irritation.

How To Remedy Chlorine Levels

  • Continually measure your pools chlorine levels using test strips, kits, or readers.

Cloudy Water

Every homeowner wants their pool to be crystal clear, but some notice a blanket of haze is hovering above the pool water. The most common reason for this is probably a bacteria build-up in the pool water. Be sure to test your chlorine levels in these cases. When your chlorine levels are low, bacteria are not going to be eliminated effectively.

How To Fix Cloudy Pool Water

  • Regularly test your pools chlorine levels.
  • Add chemicals, when required.

Pool Pump Replacement In Gilbert, AZ

Pool Service Gilbert is a family-owned and operated business that has been serving the valley since 2004. We offer reliable and affordable pool services, including repairs, replacement, equipment installations and more! Our service area includes Ahwatukee, Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Phoenix and Tempe, Arizona. Contact us right here for your upcoming pool service needs! Call us at 480-748-3022 for more information.

How To Clean A Green Pool Fast
Written by webtechs

How to Clean a Green Pool Fast

How To Clean A Green Pool Fast

If you’re searching for how to clean a green pool fast this post should help! Cleaning a green pool can be a challenging thing to do because this could be caused by weeks or possibly months of pool neglect. Subject to how bad the water is it could be something you can take on yourself, but if you have attempted previously with no results, it might be time to contact pool cleaning experts like Pool Service Gilbert particularly if you live around the Phoenix metro area.

Why is my swimming pool green?

There can be a multitude of reasons for a swimming pool to turn green, a lot of these can be tracked down to improper pH/alkaline levels, presence of metals, growth of algae, failing filtration system, or organic debris in the pool’s water. Some of these are easier to because there are tree branches, leaves, insects, or possibly clouded water floating in the pool. Nevertheless, something such as pH or alkalinity is required to be measured with a testing kit and then adjusted accordingly using chemicals such as chlorine or algaecide.

Cleaning a Green Swimming Pool

In any event the reasoning why your swimming pool water is green or if you’re just wondering how to clean a green pool quickly you need to follow the same steps. Even when you come to the realization that cleaning your green pool is a job left up to the professionals, we follow the same method as the one details in this post, but, in severe circumstances drain the pool and power spray the pool and pool tiled areas until they are clean.

Step 1.) The removal of organic debris

This should be obvious because organic debris such as leaves, branches, insects, and anything else that has fallen into the pool will start to break down and circulate bacteria. By taking out organic debris initially, it will make things easier on the pool’s filtration system and guarantees that any pool chemicals added won’t be hindered by debris in addition to speeding up the breakdown of debris in the pool. This will also provide the additional benefit of stopping or at least decrease the growth of any algae spores presently in the water. Be wary to not disrupt the water too much because this could cause bacteria to circulate.

Step 2.) Assessment of pool water chemistry

Following that, you would want to utilize a pool testing kit to get a benchmark for your pool chemistry such as this one to look for bromine, acid demand, chlorine, pH, and entire alkalinity. When necessary you can take a sample of your pool water and have it tested at your local pool store, but they suggest getting a water sample 12 to 18 inches below the water’s surface and to get a sample in the morning before the sun has a chance burn off the chlorine.

Step 3.) Shock your pool water

To correctly shock a pool, you’ll need to know how to shock a pool properly and what occurs when doing so. Even though it is known as “shocking” a pool, basically you are increasing the chlorine levels of the pool above what common levels should be at. This assists in killing any leftover bacteria in addition to algae that might still leftover following the removal of the organic debris. You should note, this will typically turn the water cloudy, but it should clear up within 24-48 hours. It is recommends shocking a pool at nighttime to bypass UV interference and that pH levels need to be between 7.2 to 7.4 for the ideal results.

Step 4.) Pool filter and vacuum

Following your pool being shocked and the algae dying off because of the shock or the algaecide it’s now the time to filter and vacuum your pool. By vacuuming the pool prior to running the filter you’re making the job smoother on the cartridge, sand, or Diatomaceous Earth filter because when not done correctly you might need to have a professional replace your pool pump. A lot of pool professionals agree to run pool filter for no less than 24 hours continuously and to backwash the filters to stop clogs from entering the filtration system.

Step 5.) Keep up with proper pool maintenance

After all your hard work is done and your pool isn’t green or cloudy anymore it is time to concentrate on a routine daily, weekly, and monthly maintenance regime. Or when you’re new to pool maintenance you can consult this Beginner’s Guide to Swimming Pool Maintenance for additional reading. Make sure you are backwashing your filters routinely in addition to skimming any debris that might have fallen in the pool too.

How to Clean A Green Pool In 24 Hours

Do people to clean their green pools in 24 hours? Yes! Follow the below steps to clear up your green pool in 24 hours:

  • Test the pool water
  • Balance your chemicals and PH accordingly
  • Remove any debris
  • Shock the pool
  • Brush the pool
  • Vacuum the pool
  • Run the pump for continually for 24 hours

Green Pool Cleaning In Gilbert, AZ

Pool Service Gilbert is a family-owned and operated business that has been serving the valley since 2004. We offer reliable and affordable pool services, including green pool cleaning, acid washing, repairs, equipment installations and more! Our service area includes Ahwatukee, Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Phoenix and Tempe, Arizona. Contact us right here for your upcoming pool service needs!

More Articles About Pool Care