Algae is the natural enemy of crystal-clear waters, and a patch of green substance gripping the sides of your pool makes it extremely unappealing to look at, let alone swim in.
However, the situation is much more problematic than a matter of poor aesthetics, as algae can harbor dangerous bacteria that could cause you and your family to fall ill. On top of that, any organic matter that attaches itself to your pool’s stairs or ladders could make getting in and out of it a harrowing ordeal.
Thankfully, there are efforts you can make to keep algae at bay throughout the year. Below are some expert pool maintenance tips to help eliminate and prevent algae growth and ensure clean and safe pool waters.
Why Worry About Algae?
Aside from its unsightly presence, algae can affect your pool in many other ways, one of which is that you’ll likely want to use your pool much less frequently.
It’s not that you would want to, anyway: Getting in a pool with algae is not recommended, no matter how mild or severe the spread, as the harmful bacteria that feed on algae can get on your skin and cause health problems, usually in the form of a skin rash or infection.
Algae can also affect the health of your pool equipment. The longer it’s left to grow exponentially, the more ways it will find to stick to every inch of your pool, including equipment like the filter. It can affect its performance and even beget more algae growth, as the filter will continuously circulate the algae throughout the pool when it’s operating.
Algae and Stain Prevention Tips
Even though algae is a nuisance, it’s still a widespread issue, and as such, it is not especially difficult to get rid of. Here are some tips for incorporating algae prevention and elimination into your pool maintenance:
Act Fast
When homeowners hesitate, algae rejoices. These organisms grow exceedingly fast, so you need to be equally quick to stamp them out. It’ll also likely make removing it much easier since it won’t have time to latch onto so many of your pool’s surfaces.
Scrub Everything
It’s no one’s favorite task, but scrubbing every inch of your pool with a pool brush is crucial. Cleaning the surfaces will help dislodge the algae, making it easier to vacuum it up, which you should do immediately afterward.
Don’t Assume It’s Gone — Test
Just because you can no longer see the algae doesn’t mean it’s not figuring out how to come back with a vengeance. Test your water to ensure a proper pH balance. Aim for a pH level between 7.2 and 7.6, indicating that your pool is back to normal. Pay attention to any other numbers, and use test strips that cover all your bases by telling you about the water’s chlorine levels and alkalinity.
Shock Till They Drop
With the above tips, you will have gone through the manual route of removing algae and performing the proper testing, which means it’s time for some insurance — double-shock your pool to kill any leftover algae that could potentially grow back.
While you can technically do so before you test your pool water, you’ll see far better results when you add shock to a pool with properly balanced chemicals.
Know What’s Grown
Though most associate algae with the color green, it can come in many colors. Black algae is also common, as is mustard algae, which has a yellowish hue and is more resistant to chlorine, making it more challenging to remove.
The kind of algae you have may determine how much action you should take and what you should look for in the future.
Maintain
Watch for algae and take steps to prevent its further growth. Aside from routine pool maintenance, there will also be times when you should give your pool extra special attention. Prolonged rain storms or periods of heavy use are two examples where you’ll want to focus more on aftercare, like shocking or testing the pH levels.
In addition, you can also incorporate additional chemicals into your pool maintenance that can help keep algae at bay. Above all, though, always make sure you have a professional on hand that you can trust to help with your pool care should you need them.
Health and Safety Start with Professional Pool Maintenance
If algae are among your biggest pool concerns, we’re here to help. Regular maintenance visits from the Calm Waters team ensure that every part of your pool stays clean and clear. Contact our team today to learn more or schedule your appointment.
