Maintaining a clean swimming pool involves managing its alkalinity, chlorine levels and removing the debris buildup. If you do not clean your swimming pool regularly, unwanted algae can accumulate on the pool walls, floor, and on top of the water. Learning how to remove algae from a swimming pool in your backyard is essential to keep the water clean and safe for swimmers.
If you have an in-ground or an above-ground swimming pool, killing algae on the pool surface is a manageable part of pool maintenance. Killing algae in pools may seem like a challenging task that will take a lot of time. However, this article describes how to remove pool algae as fast as possible.
In addition to showing you how to clean your pool water, we also let you know how to prevent algae growth and keep correct pH levels. With the tips and tricks we provide, you will have crystal clear pool water free of all types of algae.
Different Kinds of Algae
There are various kinds of algae that pool owners may encounter. Green algae are the most popular type of algae and are usually found on top of the water or along the pool’s walls.
Another kind of algae is mustard algae, which accumulates on the bottom of the pool and has a sandy look.
The last type of algae that makes its way into swimming pools is black algae. Black algae are quite slimy and usually build up in the crevices, making them more challenging to remove.
What Causes Algae in Your Pool
Before we answer pool maintenance questions like, “Does vinegar kill algae?” and “Does chlorine kill algae?” we must first address the causes of an algae problem.
What causes pink algae in the pool? Algae grow in freshwater or salt water. Algae is a living plant that causes damage to your pool’s filter if not treated right away.
Algae enter your pool via the wind and flourishes when it interacts with the water in your pool. When your pool has debris or dirty water, it allows the algae to grow even quicker.
Another common cause of an algae problem is low chlorine levels. When a pool does not have the right amount of chlorine or you haven’t been a diligent pool cleaner, the chemicals cannot kill bacteria and algae.
Discovering How to Remove Algae from a Swimming Pool When It is Green
Most pool owners experience green algae at some point. Even with proper filtration, green algae survive and float on the top of the water. One good thing about having green algae in your pool is that it is the easiest type of algae to remove.
Balance your water’s chemicals after testing it with a pool water test kit. To boost chlorine levels, apply a pool shock product by following the directions on the package.
Locate the green algae that have grown on the pool’s walls and scrub with a brush. After applying a green algaecide, let the water circulate for a day. Vacuuming is the quickest tool to remove dead algae.
You will also need to remove hard water buildup from the tiles in the swimming pool to eliminate any dirt and grime living in the water.
Killing Algae in Pools that is Mustard
Yellow algae are the most challenging type of algae to get rid of in your pool. Learning how to remove algae from a swimming pool that is mustard-colored is manageable, but it does require careful attention.
Yellow algae are commonly found on pool walls and floors and are resistant to chlorine. Mustard algae can also build up in other places.
Use a pool shock product by following the label directions before brushing your pool where yellow algae are found.
After removing the dead algae with a vacuum, apply a mustard algaecide and let the water circulate for 24 hours. Backwash your pool’s water to ensure the dead algae are gone.
Does Vinegar Kill Algae in a Pool?
Black algae demands careful attention because it accumulates in the cracks and crevices in the pool. Black algae appear in tiny black spots that feel slimy.
Like yellow algae, a popular place to find black algae is in your pool filter. Does vinegar kill algae? Yes, but an algaecide is a quicker method to kill algae spores.
To get rid of brown pool algae or other types, shock your pool water first. If you have a plaster pool, use a pumice stone to scrub the black algae. For all other pools, use a pool brush and scrub vigorously.
After following the best way to vacuum your pool to catch the dead algae, apply a black algae treatment and let the free chlorine and water circulate for a day. Vacuum your pool to remove the dead algae. Check your sand filter for stubborn black dots and repeat the process if necessary.
The best and easiest homemade pool filter cartridge cleaner is a water hose. Rinsing away the algae that accumulate on the filter helps it to work better. Depending on the filter type, you can usually use a brush on it, too.
How to Prevent Excess Algae Growth
Ensuring your pool has algae-free water all year long allows you and your guests to feel comfortable swimming in the water. Reducing the number of phosphates, managing calcium levels, and maintaining a pH level of 7.2 to 7.6 reduce algae growth.
Another simple way to prevent algae is to check on the sanitizer levels and keeping them between one and four ppm. Chlorine helps to kill algae. To prevent chlorine loss, chemicals like cyanuric acid act as a clarifier for a green pool.
Two quick and easy ways to avoid algae growth are brushing your pool and applying an algaecide every week. Even when you take preventative measures, realize that algae growth may still occur.
How to Backwash Your Pool
Does vinegar kill algae? Vinegar contains a lot of acids that effectively destroy algae buildup. Even after you use products to kill algae, backwashing is essential to remove the dead algae remains.
Backwashing circulates the water and removes debris, bacteria, and algae. Backwashing is one way to get rid of algae in pool. To backwash your pool, turn off your pool pump and set the valve to its backwash position. Turn the pump on backwash for two minutes.
Turn the pump off and switch the valve to the rinse position. Turn the pump on for one minute, then turn the pump off before setting the valve to its original position. Turn the pump back on and enjoy your pool free of algae bloom.
Proper Chlorine Levels in a Swimming Pool
Maintain your swimming pool and use the right amount of chlorine in your pool to help keep bacteria and algae to a minimal level. Your swimming pool should have chlorine levels between 2.0 and 4.0 ppm, or parts per million.
Even with the correct amount of chlorine, algae spores still make their way into the water but they will not accumulate because chlorine kills them.
Test your pool’s water with test strips or testing kits at least once a week to ensure the chlorine and pH levels are balanced.
When adding chlorine to your pool, it is best to do it at night so the chemicals spread evenly in the water. Killing algae in pools is easier when you keep the chlorine levels balanced.
Clean pool water is a necessity for pool owners and the people that swim in the pool. A common bacteria that grows in pools is algae because the spores thrive off the abundance of water.
Algae are found in green, yellow, and black. No matter what kind of algae grows in your pool, algaecide is the most efficient technique for killing algae in pools.
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