Learn why your pool might go green, how to clean it, and how to stop it happening again
It’s the start of summer, which means it’s the perfect weather to get outdoors and enjoy your swimming pool!
But what do you do if your pool is looking a little green around the gills? Keep reading to learn what causes a swimming pool to go green, how to clean it, and how to prevent it from happening again in the future.
Why does a swimming pool turn green?
Swimming pools can turn green for a number of reasons.
An imbalanced pool is the most common cause of a green swimming pool. If your pool doesn’t have enough chlorine, algae can quickly begin to grow. It’s the rapid growth of this algae which causes the pool water to look green.
When dirt enters your pool from the surrounding area, it can make your water look green. Grime and slime can build up on your deck’s surface as a result of rain or heavy foot traffic, and this gets transferred to the water when people jump in for a swim.
Pool parties are fun, but they can take their toll on your pool! When lots of people use your pool in a short space of time, the effect of your pool chemicals can wear off quicker. This gives algae the chance to start growing.
High water temperatures can cause your chlorine to be used up faster than normal. Again, this gives algae the opportunity to start growing in your pool.
All those heavy Florida downpours add a lot of extra water to your pool! This excess untreated water can cause the carefully balanced chemicals in your pool to become unbalanced, fast.
The presence of certain metals, like copper, in your pool water can cause big problems. They can be introduced when the source water is acidic, through cheap algaecides or from metal components in your pool equipment.
When you shock your pool, the process can oxidize the metals in the water. If they are present in high enough quantities, they will turn your pool water green. If left untreated, these metals may stain your pool’s surface—and they can even turn your hair green if you swim in it!
Did you know that excessive amounts of pollen in the air can have a big impact on your pool? Airborne pollen particles can often be too small for your pool filter to remove, so they settle on the surface of the water instead. This can give your pool a green or yellow look.
Is it safe to swim in a green swimming pool?
A green swimming pool is not always unsafe, but it’s definitely a red flag that something isn’t quite right.
While most algae is not harmful to humans, be warned: if algae can grow in your pool, then other things—like bacteria—can grow there too!
Nasty bacteria that can make you sick can enter your body through even a small cut, or through your eyes, ears, nose and throat. Algae can also be a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other insects.
Our advice is to get that green swimming pool cleaned right away!
How do I clean a green swimming pool?
The first step in restoring your pool is to use a chemical test kit to determine the extent of the problem. Once you know what your levels are, you must add more chemicals to rebalance the water.
Then, check the pool filter is working correctly, remove any debris, thoroughly scrub the sides and bottom of your pool, and add pool shock to kill the remaining algae.
Once it’s safe to do so, use a pool vacuum to remove all of the dead algae and re-check the chemical levels. If your pool is still looking a little green, you may have to repeat the process.
How can I stop my swimming pool turning green?
No one wants a green swimming pool! The secret to avoiding it is to keep your pool properly maintained.
You can prevent algae from growing in the first place by:
- Making sure your pool’s chlorine and pH levels remain steady
- Keeping your pool filter clean and in full working condition
- Keeping the pool surface clean and free from debris.
How our Green Pool Treatment works
If your swimming pool is green, don’t despair. Give us a call and we’ll transform your pool from green to great in as little as two days!
We use commercial-grade treatments that act quickly and safely to destroy algae, kill bacteria, and restore your pool’s chemical balance.
With our Green Pool Treatment, your pool will be back to a sparkling clear blue in no time—all you need to do is dive in and enjoy a swim!
Here are the before and after photos of green pool treatments we recently did for two residential customers in the Orlando area.
Ready to book your Green Pool Treatment?
You can get in touch via our contact form or call us at (407) 267-0342.
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