Noticed your pool turning cloudy green or slippery? That’s algae! It ruins your pool’s beauty and makes it unsafe for swimming.. Taking preventive measures is the key to the fastest way to kill algae in pool if it’s a minor or full green attack. The good news? It will be removed by using home remedies and a few cleaning techniques. You will get complete solutions in this blog from removing stubborn growth to algae stains in pool, so you can enjoy a sparkling swim again.
What Causes Algae in Pool
Algae in a pool is primarily caused by a combination of chemical imbalances, Algae thrive in warm, still water, especially when chlorine levels drop or filtration systems underperform. Heavy rainfall, poor circulation, or neglecting regular maintenance are the common reasons that allow algae to grow. Sometimes leaves or grass clippings can carry spores into the water.
Different Types of Pool Algae and How to Identify Them
All algae are not the same, and the type you have in your pool depends on how much treatment and effort you need to remove it. It will be easier for you to pick up the treatment when you know which type of algae you are dealing with. You will be able to keep algae from coming back.
Green Algae
This is the most common and fast growing algae that spreads in a few days after rain or poor filtration. It floats freely in the water, making pool water a cloudy green, or it attaches firmly and makes the surfaces slippery, such as sticking to pool walls, steps, and ladders.
Key things about green algae:
- It fully grows in warm water and with unbalanced chlorine levels.
- Brushing, shocking, and proper filtration are the processes of removing green algae.
- If you do not maintain the water chemistry, it will come back again.
- The growth of algae tells you that your pool’s sanitizer is too low.
Green algae is a warning sign that your pool chemistry is out of balance. For detailed guidance, check out our Green Pool Water Fix: Step-by-Step Cleaning & Prevention
Pro tip: once you see it, take immediate action; otherwise, it will spread, and you will need more chlorine to kill algae in the pool.
Yellow or Mustard Algae
Yellow algae are also known as mustard algae. They are rare and very hard to remove. It is yellowish-brown in colour and usually clings to shaded areas of the pool that have less sun exposure, such as walls, steps, and behind pool ladders. Unlike green algae, it sticks to surfaces and appears again after brushing.
Key things:
- It is very strong that you have to use a higher shock dose. Standard chlorine is ineffective on it.
- Pool equipment, floats, toys, and bathing suits are their favourite places to grow.
- You need to do a thorough cleaning to prevent regrowth.
- It’s often mistaken for pollen, but unlike pollen, it tends to stick firmly and doesn’t brush away easily.
To find out the most effective ways to kill mustard algae in your swimming pool, check out our detailed blog: “What kills mustard algae in a swimming pool?”
Pro tip: Always wash your swimsuits and sanitize pool toys after an outbreak. You keep the pool safe and algae-free for everyone! By doing that.
Black Algae
Black algae are very difficult to remove. They are in dark blue-green or black spots that are deeply present in the pool plaster or tile grout. They have roots as well, and due to their roots, they don’t spot easily with just chlorine. The only ways to remove them are to scrub them and use a strong algaecide or shock treatment.
Key elements of black algae:
- Its outer layer protects it from chemicals.
- Physical scrubbing is required to remove black algae due to its deep roots.
- They are mostly in plaster or concrete pools, but can also be present in tile grout.
- They can also be present in well maintained pools due to contaminated swimsuits.
If you’re dealing with it and want to discover treatments, Check out our in-depth guide: “What is the best way to get rid of black algae in pool?”
Pro tip: Use a stainless-steel brush or a nylon brush to break the protective layer. Then apply chemicals. Through this, you can reach the roots of algae and kill algae stains from pool surfaces.
Best Way to Get Algae Off Bottom of Pool
Don’t panic if you see algae on bottom of pool after shocking, it’s dead algae in pool that’s settled, and you have to remove them manually. You have to start by brushing the floor to loosen it. Then use a pool vacuum to suck up the debris. You need to run your filter for at least 24 hours so that you will capture any residual particles. If you observe the stubborn dead algae dust in pool, set your vacuum on the “waste” setting. By this setting, they will not recirculate through the filter.
What Does Algae Look Like in a Pool
Swimming pool algae can appear in many ways. Sometimes, it is as if there are light green clouds that are floating in the water. Due to the Green algae, the pool water looks cloudy and makes the pool walls and floors slippery.
Mustard algae look like soft yellowish stains, and you can find them in shaded areas or on steps and corners. You will see them mostly where the sunlight is less. These places are algae’s favourite.
Black algae create dark spots that cling tightly to surfaces and are hard to remove. Their removal will be very easy if you catch these sports early. Otherwise, they will turn into full algae, which will be very hard to remove.
What Are Home Remedies to Get Rid of Algae In Pool
You don’t always need harsh chemicals or expensive treatments when you want to clean algae in pool water. In fact, there are many cheap and safe home remedies that you can use easily to clean algae in pool water. These remedies will work great if you do them regularly and with proper pool maintenance.
Baking Soda Scrub
- Sprinkle baking soda onto the algae spots you can see.
- You have to take a pool brush and scrub the area until the algae is getting loose from the surface.
- Cleaning will be more effective and easier.
- It balances the pH levels and stops algae from growing.
Household Bleach Treatment
- Add a controlled amount of household bleach to the pool water.
- Works best for killing green algae quickly.
- Always run the filtration system after treatment to remove dead algae.
Vinegar Rinse for Stains
- Apply white vinegar to algae-stained tiles or steps.
- Cleanse the area with a soft scrub and rinse it off thoroughly.
- It is great to remove algae stains from pool and keep your space fresh and clean.
Regular Brushing and Vacuuming
- You have to brush the algae on pool walls, steps, and corners at least twice a week to keep everything sparkling.
- To remove loose algae physically, you can use a vacuum.
- It keeps the pool clear by preventing algae from settling and multiplying.
Conclusion
Learning how to quickly remove algae from pool walls using simple home remedies can save you lots of time and money. Regular brushing, maintaining balanced water chemistry, and keeping your filtration in good shape are key to preventing most outbreaks and keeping your pool sparkling.
A perfect pool is not just about looks but also safety and fun. That’s why Aqua Pristine offers expert cleaning, maintenance, and repair services, ensuring you have a sparkling pool to enjoy all year without any stress.
Areas We Serve:
- Fort Myers
- Cape Coral
- Estero
- Lehigh Acres
Ready to keep your pool crystal clear and algae free? Contact Aqua Pristine today for expert pool cleaning and maintenance services you can trust!