When your pool water turns from a lovely shade of blue to a sickly green, there's only one reason: pool algae. If it's a light shade of green, the algae has probably just started to take hold. But a deeper green means a bigger problem. Algae develops when the pool's sanitizer levels are too low.
If you had your pool professionally winterized, and your pool has turned green throughout the winter, this may be a signal that it's time for a new cover. Pool covers can get less effective throughout years of sun exposure and general wear and tear.
The only thing that kills algae is CHLORINE (or your sanitizing product, or one of the copper-based algaecides on the market). You need to raise the level of your chlorine – shock the pool – and maintain that high level until all the algae is dead. This may take 3 to 4 days. RUN THE FILTER 24 HOURS A DAY.
When the levels are properly balanced, chlorine will keep the algae at bay, but the water will slowly begin to turn green as the algae take over if there's not enough. But be careful—adding too much chlorine in pool water can cause those metals to oxidize and turn the pool a different shade of green.
Should the green be due to pollen, there may be little to do in the way of minimizing the discoloration short of erecting a building around the pool. Fortunately, assuming there are no allergies to the pollen, it is safe to swim in a pool with that as the cause for green water.
The use of baking soda in pools can spot treat algae
No one ever wants to see algae build up in their swimming pool. It can turn any backyard pool murky green or cause unsightly black spots on the walls and floor of any swimming pool.
Pool water turns green because of algae in the water. Algae can grow rapidly, particularly when it's warm like Summer, which is why it can surprise you overnight. This generally comes down to an imbalance or lack of chlorine in the water.
If you suspect swimming pool algae is making your pool water green or cloudy, check the water's alkalinity and pH balance. This is the most common cause of green pool water. Unfortunately, algae can become resistant to chlorine and sanitation because of the water's pH and alkalinity.
When shock chlorine oxidizes the copper, it turns green and that's what you're seeing in the pool. To get rid of it you'll need to raise the pool's calcium hardness by adding calcium chloride. The other culprit can be high levels of pollen.
Green pools should always be covered, for safety reasons – uncovered green pools are more hazardous as the floor of the pool is not visible. A safety cover is the best type of pool cover for winterizing, or for protecting a pool that is not regularly maintained, due to lack of funding or an empty house.
A late September or October closing is a great way to set up for success in the spring. If you are already suffering from an algae bloom; take care of that before you close. Opening your pool early in the spring is a good idea if you want clear water.
The most common health effects of swimming pool algae are skin infections. While the common green algae can't harm you, the bacteria feeding on the algae is harmful. When you expose yourself to algae that harbor bacteria, these infectious agents can cause rashes and breaks in the skin.
ADD POOL CLARIFIER
The change in your pool water colour means that you have successfully eliminated the algae and can now clean it out of your pool. If your water is still green, wait another 24 hours and redo the steps from Days 1 and 2. Now is the time to add Pool Clarifier and let it circulate for 12 hours.
Pools can immediately turn green after shocking when they have metals like copper in the water. These metals oxidise when exposed to high levels of chlorine which makes the pool water turn green. Adding a metal control product such as Zodiac Metal Remover will help to restore the pool water.
In theory, if you have a cloudy swimming pool, you can add chlorine to “shock it” and clear things up. Chlorine will get the job done. But, the amounts may vary and you may have to really pound the pool with chlorine to get the water totally clear.
Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate is naturally alkaline, with a pH of 8. When you add baking soda to your pool water, you will raise both the pH and the alkalinity, improving stability and clarity.
Knowing how to lower pH in a pool keeps it comfortable for swimming. It protects your pool filters, pumps and liners from damage. Water with a high pH level reduces chlorine's effectiveness. This can lead to other problems like cloudy water and algae buildup.
Water quality is a health concern in all public pools, and although it won't turn the water green, urine can pose hazards to swimmers' health. Unfortunately, it's difficult to detect in the chlorinated water of a huge pool.
Rainwater itself does not cause algae, but it can provide the right environment for algae. Rain will bring phosphates, nitrates and other organic contaminants into the pool. As we discussed earlier, rain also reduces chlorine levels.
Bleach, like any other kind of pool treatment, is best used in specific concentrations -- that is, you'll want to be able to detect a certain amount of chlorine in your pool water. Too little, and you won't effectively sanitize your pool water and surfaces. Too much, and your pool water might become too harsh to use.