Few things are as disheartening as stepping into your backyard only to find your pool has turned into a swampy shade of green. But don’t worry; restoring your pool to its sparkling blue color is entirely possible with a bit of effort and the right know-how. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to fix your green pool water. From identifying the potential causes of the problem to applying the right fixes and preventative measures, this step-by-step process will have your pool crystal clear and ready for swimmers again in no time. Let’s dive in!
What Causes Green Pool Water?
Green pool water is caused by algae growing in the water. Many types of algae can make your pool water a variety of different colors, including shades of green, yellow, red, and even black. Algae can be introduced from rainwater, dirt, animals, or objects that have been exposed to natural water sources. While a well-maintained and properly working pool can typically manage algae spores without issue, improper care or equipment issues can allow the algae to thrive.
The most common factors contributing to algae growth include:
- Low Chlorine Levels
- Poor Water Circulation
- Bad Filtration
Let’s dive deeper into each cause and how to address it.
Low Chlorine Levels
Clorine is the most common sanitizer used to keep swimming pools clean and safe to swim in. Chlorine is used to kill germs, destroy algae, and prevent the growth of bacteria in your water. When your chlorine levels are below the recommended amounts of 1 to 3 ppm, nothing is actively working to stop algae from growing in your pool. Consistent monitoring of your pool’s chemistry is vital to avoid this issue. To help keep consistent chlorine levels in your pool, a chlorinator or a chlorine salt system is recommended, as it will continuously add chlorine to your pool water.
Check Your Chlorine Levels:
- Check your pool’s chlorine level using test strips or a test kit. The ideal chlorine range is between 1 and 3 ppm.
- If your chlorine level is lower, then there is not enough chlorine to kill off any algae, and this is likely causing your pool to turn green.
Fixing the Problem:
- Add Pool shock or liquid chlorine to your pool water.
- Pool shock is a powder that can be added directly to your pool water. You may need multiple shock treatments to remove all the algae.
- Liquid chlorine is the fastest way to clear up your water. Pour the liquid into your pool water in front of a jet so it can spread throughout your pool. You will need 10 to 20 litres to clean up most pools.
- After adding chlorine, let your pool run for a day or until the water clears up.
- If your pool water remains green after a day, then repeat the shock treatment or add more liquid chlorine.
- Once your pool water has cleared up, balance all your pool chemicals to their proper levels.
Poor Water Circulation
Water circulation is a very important aspect of a properly working pool. When water is moving, bacteria, germs, and algae have trouble growing in your pool. Additionally, with more water flowing through your system, more water is going through and getting cleaned by your pool’s filter. Although some things can restrict the water flow in your pool, such as a full skimmer or pump basket, a dirty filter, or a clogged line, the most common culprit is simply not running your pump long enough. For proper circulation, you need to run your pool system for at least 8 hours a day.
Fixing the Problem:
- Empty skimmer and pump baskets
- Clean pool filters
- Find and unclog pool plumbing
- Run pool for at least 8 hours a day
Bad Filtration
Sometimes, algae in pool water is caused by particles getting through the filter. This may be due to a problem with the filtration system or because the particles are too small to be filtered out.
Fixing the Problem:
- Clean the filters.
- Find and fix any damaged parts.
- Add a clarifier to help filter smaller particles.
Sand Filters
For sand filters, you need to backwash them to clean them, this should be done about every other week.
Backwashing:
- Roll out your backwash hose if you have one.
- With your pool pump off, switch the filter to the backwash setting and turn on your pump.
- Wait until the water turns clear by watching the water either in the eyeglass on the filter’s head or at the end of the backwash hose.
- When clear, turn off the pump, switch the filter to the rinse setting, and turn on the pump for 10 seconds.
- Then, turn off your pump and switch back to the filter setting before letting your pool run.
Other Issues:
The sand in your filter has to be replaced roughly every five years. If this has not been done, then it might be contributing to your green pool water. This is because the grains of sand become rounded and smooth due to the constant flow of water, reducing their ability to trap debris. Another problem that can occur is a crack in the lateral assembly or the standpipe. If this is the problem, the filter won’t be able to filter debris and may release filter sand into the pool. In such cases, the part will need to be replaced.
Cartridge Filters
With cartridge filters, the cartridges will need to be taken out and sprayed down to clean any built-up debris and algae.
Cleaning:
- Drain the water out of the filter’s tank if possible.
- Remove the top of the filter by removing the clamp around it.
- Take the cartridges out of the tank and spray them off with a hose or pressure washer.
- For a deeper clean, soak the filters in a pool filter cleaning solution for 24 hours. Then, spray them with a pressure washer.
- Once clean, reassemble the filters and the tank
Other Issues:
After washing the filters, look for any tears that might be present. If the filters are torn, particles are likely getting through. When you find a possible tare, make sure that it goes through all the layers in the filter. If it’s only one layer or if it’s only some fraying of the layer, then it may still be good. If the filter is torn all the way through, then the filters need to be replaced.
Conclusion
In conclusion, maintaining a clean and well-functioning pool requires consistent care and attention. Now, when your pool water turns green, you’ll know what you need to do to solve the problem. By addressing these issues, whether it’s shocking the pool with chlorine, improving circulation by running the pump longer, or cleaning and maintaining the filtration system, you can restore your pool to its sparkling blue color. Regularly checking chemical levels, cleaning filters, and ensuring proper circulation are crucial steps to prevent algae growth in the future. With these practices in place, you can keep your pool inviting and ready for a refreshing swim at all times!
